Most Coal Ash Ponds in U.S. Are Unregulated

By SHAILA DEWAN 5:31 PM ET

J.Miles Cary/Knoxville News Sentinel, via Associated Press

An employee of the Tennessee Valley Authority surveyed the damage caused by the failure of a fly ash retention pond in Roane County.

The more than 1,300 coal byproduct dumps across the U.S. are not subject to any federal regulation, which experts say could have prevented the spill in Tennessee.

Roland W. Burris outside the Capitol on Tuesday after being turned away by the secretary of the Senate. Mr. Burris said that he was “certainly not looking for drama.”

Burris, Blocked From Taking Seat, Gains New Support

By CARL HULSE and DAVID STOUT 5:55 PM ET

Senator Dianne Feinstein broke with many of her Democratic colleagues to say that Roland W. Burris should be seated as a Senator from Illinois.

Comments | Video Report

Heather Graham, with her nephew Scott, during an overnight vigil at a church in Scituate, Mass.

In Quiet Rebellion, Parishioners Keep Faith

By ABBY GOODNOUGH

Parishioners have been guarding a church for 1,533 days so that the archdiocese cannot sell it.

Audio Slide Show: A 24/7 Faith | Post a Comment | Read

Blaze Kills 5 in a Homeless Shelter in Texas

By GRETEL C. KOVACH

Five men died early Monday when fire and smoke swept through a homeless shelter housed in a former bakery in Paris, Tex.

Obama Names 4 for Justice Jobs in Break From Bush Path

By ERIC LICHTBLAU

Many of the president-elect’s other picks have had a centrist bent, but he signaled a new direction at the Justice Department.

Saipan, part of the Northern Marianas, which are among the islands, reefs, waters and parts of the Pacific Ocean floor that President Bush will designate as marine national monuments.

Bush to Protect Vast New Pacific Tracts

By JOHN M. BRODER

The action will protect vast tracts of American-controlled islands, reefs, surface waters and sea floor from fishing, mining, oil exploration and other commercial activity.

Al Franken, with his wife, Franni Franken, claimed victory Monday in Minneapolis.

Democrat Is Winner in Recount of Minnesota Senate Race

By KIRK JOHNSON

The state canvassing board certified that Al Franken won by 225 votes, but Norm Coleman’s lawyers said they would go to court.

More From The Caucus

President-elect Barack Obama met with House Republican leader John A. Boehner, left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill on Monday.

Obama Seeks Wide Support in Congress for Stimulus

By JEFF ZELENY and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

President-elect Barack Obama is working to build a bipartisan coalition to endorse his plan of tax cuts and new spending.

Graphic: The Economic Recovery Package

California Supreme Court to Hear Arena Search Case

By JOHN SCHWARTZ

The California Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that a sports fan brought over the physical search policy that the N.F.L. instituted in stadiums.

Bernard L. Madoff, right, leaving Federal District Court in Manhattan on Monday. Mr. Madoff remains free on $10 million bail.

Bid to Revoke Madoff’s Bail Cites His Gifts

By ALEX BERENSON

Bernard L. Madoff tried to hide at least $1 million in assets from investigators, prosecutors told a judge.

Times Topics: Bernard L. Madoff | Ponzi Schemes

Gov. Bill Richardson, who withdrew his bid for commerce secretary, said Monday he was “disappointed in the turn of events.”

In Santa Fe, Staying Can Also Be Such Sweet Sorrow

By FELICITY BARRINGER

Bill Richardson’s withdrawal as Barack Obama’s choice for commerce secretary means New Mexicans have their governor back, like it or not.

Times Topics: Bill Richardson

Griffin Bell, Ex-Attorney General, Dies at 90

Spending Rise for Health Care and Prescription Drugs Slows

Obama’s Inauguration Fund-Raising Tops $24 Million

Biden Schedules Fact-Finding Journey to Asia

Data Uncover Bigger Galaxy in Cosmos, and It’s Ours

Coming Down on Tobacco

An Ex-Detainee of the U.S. Describes a 6-Year Ordeal

Illinois: Factory May Face Labor Charges

California: Ruling On Parish Property

California: Nearing Candidacy, Perhaps

Michigan: New Archbishop Is Named

Michigan: Sentence For Drug Conviction

Bushes’ Pet Cat Dies

Multimedia

Video: Forming Simple Priests in Complex Times

A priest shepherds young men through seminary in India, where bishops trek from the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Australia looking for spare priests.

2008 — The Year in Pictures

Wind combined with rain to tear up the Gulf Coast once again; it combined with fire to sow destruction in California. But not all havoc was wrought by nature.

Interactive Map: A Growing Detention Network

A map showing facilities where people detained on suspicion of immigration violations are being held.

The Detainees

By reviewing government documents, court records and media reports, The Times was able to compile an approximate list of detainees currently at Guantánamo.

Interactive Feature: Hard Times in Philadelphia

Five young job seekers in Philadelphia describe how the current financial meltdown has hurt their prospects.

Interactive Feature: Casualties of the Afghan War

A listing of the 563 American service members who have died in Operation Enduring Freedom. Of those deaths, 510 occurred in Afghanistan or are directly linked to the war. (August 7, 2008)

Faces of the Dead

An interactive look at the American service members who have died in Iraq.

Leon E. Panetta was a member of the House of Representatives and White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton.

Panetta Is Chosen as C.I.A. Chief, in a Surprise Step

By MARK MAZZETTI and CARL HULSE

The choice of Leon E. Panetta, a former White House chief of staff, to head the intelligence agency raised questions about his relevant experience.

Sidebar

Animal Cruelty Law Tests Free Speech

By ADAM LIPTAK

In the case of Robert J. Steven, the Supreme Court is likely to address questions about whether and when the government can decide that some sorts of information have no social value at all.

Post a Comment | Read

Square Feet

Randy Nichols, a Denver developer, atop the Spire, a 42-story condominium and retail development under construction in the city’s Theater District.

Denver Aims to Ride Out the Recession

By DAN LUZADDER 6:04 PM ET

Developers and economists say Denver benefits from a diversified economy and downtown investments.

Education Life

Bright Ideas

23 Student Innovations

On campuses across the country, students have been building practical inventions, starting novel businesses and generally alpha-testing their ideas.

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Multimedia

Audio Slide Show

A 24/7 Faith

What started as a round-the-clock vigil has become a lifestyle for a group of parishioners at St. Frances, a church the Archdiocese of Boston ordered closed.