Carol Vaporis still isn't sure what's in store for her consignment shop next Tuesday. Feb. 10 is when the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is supposed to go into effect. The law mandates rigorous tests for lead levels in children's toys, clothes and other items. Vaporis, who owns Duck Duck Goose Consignment, a store near S.R. 54 and Seven Springs Boulevard, is concerned over possible unintended consequences of the law. ...more

February 7, 2009

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., is the top contender to be President Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary, the White House said Saturday, a move that could bolster the Democratic majority in Congress. ...more

February 1, 2009

President Barack Obama appeared Saturday to be leaning toward appointing a third Republican to his Cabinet, a move that would place the fiscally conservative Sen. Judd Gregg at the head of the Commerce Department even though a liberal Democrat was initially tapped for the post. ...more

January 31, 2009

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele won a tense election Friday to become the first black chairman of the national Republican Party, an outcome that also was a win for Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist. ...more

January 31, 2009

The Republican National Committee has elected former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele the first black Republican National Committee chairman. Steele was the most moderate candidate in the field and was considered an outsider because he's not an RNC member. He beat back four challengers, including incumbent Mike Duncan, who was forced to withdraw from the field midway through the balloting in the face of a lack of support. ...more

January 30, 2009

The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday to provide health insurance to 11 million low-income children, a bill that would for the first time open the program to legal immigrant children and pregnant women. ...more

January 30, 2009

A children's health care bill that set congressional Democrats against President George W. Bush's administration in 2008 now appears headed for passage with Florida's two senators splitting their votes. ...more

January 27, 2009

Afghans were paying close attention last week when Barack Obama was sworn in. After all, Obama has pledged to move Afghanistan to center stage in his new administration's foreign policy concerns. ...more

January 27, 2009

In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama signaled conciliation to America's foes by using the metaphor of an outstretched hand to an unclenched fist. ...more

January 25, 2009

As a new administration settles into its offices in Washington, America awaits the actions of the White House and federal agencies on a host of challenges facing our nation at home and abroad. Whatever these actions turn out to be, and whether they meet with success or failure, it's vitally important that the American people have access to how governmental decisions are made, and by whom. On this front, at least, there's already good news. ...more

January 25, 2009