The average age will be 57 in the House and 63 in the Senate, according to the chambers' historical offices. In each case, it's the highest on record.
The average age will be 57 in the House and 63 in the Senate, according to the chambers' historical offices. In each case, it's the highest on record.
By Gerald Herbert, AP
washington |  | 
washington |  | 
After two terms together, these staffers believe their boss will fare better in history's judgment.
money |  | 
The government's $1.34 billion coupon program for digital converter boxes ran out of money on Sunday.
weightloss |  | 
Weight-Loss Challenge readers eat out for cheap.
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The year in sports

Save your checkbook for hitters and make the development of young pitchers the priority for your farm system. That's the growing trend we've found in our annual exercise of selecting what this year is called Team 2008,

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The president-elect meets with House Speaker Pelosi.
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The U.S. opened its new embassy under tight security.
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Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O'Connell welcome twin girls.
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Cities ease signage rules to boost businesses.
Workers told to spend less on flights and hotels.
Tom Jones has lyrics, longevity and a new album out.
Executive Jim Johannson talks about Team USA.
Coach factory: Ohio makes, football takes.
See how to fix holes in your 529 savings plans.
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Awards season

Meet the nominees that could win Sunday at the Golden Globes Awards. USA TODAY gives you the tools to track their Globes history, watch movie trailers and more.

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Blogs

Kornheiser says Millen will be 'best' NFL TV analyst.
Angry Oprah reveals new weight loss plans.
MRIs show how efforts to quit are affected.
Ivanovic breaks serves, hearts in Australia.
Dead stars shed light on birth of planets.
Taxpayers feel pinch of checked-bag fees.
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Opinion

The election of Barack Obama has the potential to lift a group of Americans in dire need: African-American boys. A few critical steps could leverage this historic moment into something long-term and meaningful. But it all starts with education.
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Learn more about the completed Obama Cabinet.
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Interactive quiz about the 2008 hurricane season.
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International
regulation |  | 
By Keith Simmons, USA TODAY
Thousands of U.S. companies will adopt global financial reporting rules within five years if regulators have their way.
world |  | 
Israeli shells slammed into Gaza and ground forces edged closer to major population centers Tuesday, taking more civilian lives.
Politics
politics |  | 
AP file photo
President-elect Barack Obama has tapped Leon Panetta as CIA director and Dennis Blair as director of national intelligence.
judicial |  | 
President-elect Barack Obam chose the leader of the Office of Legal Counsel and the first female U.S. solicitor general.
politics |  | 
By Eric Miller, Reuters
Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken declared victory in the race even though the final outcome could be determined by a state court.
Preservation
environment |  | 
President Bush will establish the largest marine reserve ever created when he designates three remote Pacific regions as national monuments.
Economy in crisis
washington |  | 
By H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
President-elect Barack Obama pressed leaders of both parties in Congress on Monday to take urgent action to bolster the economy.
markets |  | 
Santa's long gone, but not before delivering a needed stock rally to Wall Street. Such a gift has historically signaled better days ahead.
Entertainment
news |  | 
By Scott Garfield, ABC
Tonight, Scrubs enters its final year -- at least in its current form. For its eighth season, the comedy gets new life on ABC.
life
The New York Film Critics kicked off the annual race toward Oscar Monday night with a gala honoring its picks for top films of 2008.
Auto industry struggles
autos |  | 
By David Zalubowski, AP
Not only did car sales fall off a cliff, but consumer preferences changed faster than automakers could predict or react to.
autos |  | 
Toyota is suspending production at all 12 of its Japan plants for 11 days over February and March, a stoppage of unprecedented scale.
College football
bowls |  | 
By Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
Colt McCoy threw a touchdown pass with 16 seconds to play, lifting No. 3 Texas to a 24-21 Fiesta Bowl win over No. 10 Ohio State on Monday.
sec |  | 
Florida's electrifying junior receiver-running back has the most examined and talked-about ankle in the Sunshine State.
big12 |  | 
By Julie Scheidegger, US Presswire
No championship teams in the last 25 years had a defensive profile as dubious as the one the Oklahoma Sooners (12-1) own.
Health
news |  | 
Apple founder Steve Jobs, looking to quell rumors about his health, said his weight loss is caused by a hormonal imbalance.
health |  | 
Suffering a trauma could predispose children to chronic fatigue syndrome as adults, a study shows.
health |  | 
By Mel Evans, AP
Spending on prescription drugs in 2007 showed the smallest increase in more than four decades.