National

Levees held, but many areas in southern Texas were still soaked by the Category 2 storm. Fifteen counties are declared disaster areas. >>

Taxpayers pay up to 30% more for prescriptions under the privately administered program than under Medicaid, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform finds. >>

The analysis of standardized test results for more than 7.2 million students in grades 2 through 11 contradicts a pervasive gender stereotype. >>

Interrogators would be on safe ground if they had an 'honest belief' that suspects would suffer no 'prolonged mental harm,' the Justice Department told the CIA. >>

A woman is killed and several homes are destroyed. An emergency is declared in five counties. >>

Sources say subpoenas have been issued to the lenders, in the clearest sign yet that prosecutors are looking into whether fraud and other crimes contributed to the mortgage debacle. >>

It makes landfall near the Mexican border with winds over 100 mph, causing power outages and concern about levee failures along the Rio Grande. >>

The measure would provide aid to save 400,000 homeowners from foreclosures and a plan to boost confidence in troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. >>

Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden, seems discomfited by a video taken shortly after his 2001 capture. He later returns to court and apologizes to the judge. >>

Lawmakers review the 1993 law that prohibits gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. >>

An attorney for Lori Drew says the government has overstepped its bounds in trying to charge the Missouri woman in the case where a 13-year-old committed suicide. >>

Pentagon oversight agency officials forced changes to unfavorable reports on defense contracts, hid contractor overbilling and attempted to hinder an investigation, the Government Accountability Office reported. >>

The 53-year-old first faxed a letter to her mortgage company informing them of her intentions. A suicide note told her husband to apply any life insurance money toward the house. >>

Prosecution and defense lawyers painted broadly conflicting pictures of Salim Ahmed Hamdan on Tuesday, with the government vowing to prove that the former driver for Osama bin Laden remained a trusted aide and confidant through Al Qaeda's most heinous crimes. >>

In a small study, 72% of those on SSRIs -- which can have debilitating sexual side effects -- reported improvement when taking the male impotence drug. >>

The survival rate more than doubles among most of the men with aggressive cancers. A second, wider test shows similar results. 'Spectacularly effective,' a researcher says. >>

The billionaire oilman and onetime corporate raider says the U.S. must wean itself from foreign oil, and he's betting some of his fortune on harnessing domestic energy alternatives. >>

Michael B. Donley and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, nominees to become the service's secretary and chief of staff, tell a Senate hearing they will improve oversight of the nation's nuclear arsenal. >>

The criminal indictments are the first since a massive raid on the West Texas compound of the FLDS. >>

As Dolly strengthens, officials warn that the Rio Grande Valley's levees could fail. >>

Passport cards will speed border crossings / Plane of Ron Paul, lawmakers makes emergency landing in New Orleans / Bond set for missing Florida toddler's mother >>