Round 2: Snow slams Mid-Atlantic, makes way to Pa., NY, after killing 3 in Michigan
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Plows that have been rolling around the clock for days in the nation's capital, Philadelphia and Baltimore won't be heading for the garage any time soon as a second major storm in a week moved into the snowbound region Wednesday....

A politically vulnerable NY Gov. Paterson says he'll step aside only 'in a box'
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Gov. David Paterson, defying calls from even fellow Democrats to drop out of the race for a full term, said Tuesday that he would leave only if the voters turned him out through the ballot box, or he's carried out "in a box."...

Latest storm dumps rain, hail, snow on Southern California, so far no mudslides
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif. (AP) -- The latest Pacific storm that brought heavy rain, hail and snow to Southern California is heading east, but the mudslide threat is not over for communities below wildfire-scarred mountains....

History, politics suggest trouble for administration plan to cut subsidies for wealthy farmers
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- If history and the political lineup are any guides, President Barack Obama's latest effort to cut subsidies for wealthy farmers likely will fare no better than his first try - or his predecessor's attempt....

NY senator convicted of misdemeanor assault vows to fight 53-8 vote to expel him
ALBANY, N.Y (AP) -- A Democratic state senator who betrayed his colleagues by joining Republicans in a brief coup and was convicted of a misdemeanor assault charge for dragging his girlfriend around during an argument at his apartment says he'll go back to court to fight his expulsion from the Senate....

Space shuttle Endeavour arrives at space station for weeklong stay, delivers new room, windows
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Shuttle Endeavour arrived to a warm welcome at the International Space Station early Wednesday, delivering a new room and observation deck that will come close to completing construction 200 miles above Earth....

Obama, state regulator criticize Anthem Blue Cross plans to hike rates in California
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In his push to move stalled health care reform, President Barack Obama is appealing to American pocketbooks by calling one health insurer's major rate hike in California a harbinger of rising premiums....

LAPD: Teen graffiti tagger arrested in 'tragic' fatal shooting of anti-gang counselor
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- When Ronald "Loony" Barron urged a young graffiti tagger to put away his paint cans, he was doing what he viewed as his mission - steering kids away from crime - but he paid for it with his life....

Target pulls Valentine's Day bear toys after California AG asks for recall over lead concerns
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Target Corp. said Tuesday it was pulling its Valentine's Day "Message Bears" from store shelves after California's attorney general raised concerns that the toys have illegal levels of lead....

Kerrigan family disputes medical examiner's report on father's death, says it wasn't homicide
BOSTON (AP) -- The family of Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan insisted Tuesday that they do "not blame anyone" for her father's death and criticized a medical examiner's finding that Daniel Kerrigan died of a heart rhythm problem after a fight with his son....