Hurt Good Samaritan Gets Jaywalking Ticket - February 26, 2009 - Man Pushes 3 People Out Of Truck's Path

Businessman With Ties to Florida G.O.P. Fund-Raiser Sargeant Is Indicted - February 25, 2009 - WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles on Wednesday indicted a Jordanian businessman with connections to the Florida Republican Party on charges of funneling illegal contributions to three former presidential candidates and Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida.

Pompano Beach Police Department Under Investigation After Suspect Allegedly Beaten - February 20, 2009 - POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- The Pompano Beach Police Department in under investigation by the NAACP after a robbery suspect was beaten following a police chase.

Gov. Sarah Palin to pay back taxes - February 18, 2009 - Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials.

Madoff Tipster: SEC Ignored Me For Decade - February 4, 2009 - Whistleblower Set To Tell Story Before Congress

Homelessness surges as funding falters - January 30, 2009 - Providers to the poor try to stretch meager resources to meet growing need

Court: Fla. cops can be sued over 'safety checks' - January 29, 2009 - TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Law enforcement agencies can be sued over "safety checks" that go bad, a sharply divided Florida Supreme Court said Thursday.

Ex-US congressman from Oregon faces tax charges - January 29, 2009 - LOS ANGELES -- A former Oregon congressman was indicted Thursday on federal money laundering and tax charges that prosecutors said were related to an investment fraud scheme that bilked victims out of more than $10 million.

Obama slams Wall Street on bonuses - January 29, 2009 - President calls the $18.4 billion in bonuses paid last year 'shameful'

Schwarzenegger warns of layoffs if furloughs fail - January 29, 2009 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is warning state employees he will start issuing layoff notices if a court doesn't let him force workers to take off two unpaid days a month.

Postmaster Gen'l: Mail Delivery Could Be Cut - January 28, 2009 - Agency Could Cut One Day Of Delivery

As inmate sits, slain man's family asks: Why has it taken 30 years? - January 25, 2009 - Paul Scott has been married and divorced twice. He's been memorialized in a country song. He's attracted the attention of religious figures worldwide.

Mass. House speaker resigns amid ethics allegation - January 25, 2009 - BOSTON -- Massachusetts' House speaker said Sunday he would resign amid allegations a close friend used their relationship to push ticket-scalping legislation and paid off legal bills for the speaker's in-laws.

Portland mayor won't resign over lying about teen - January 25, 2009 - PORTLAND, Ore. -- The mayor of Portland, Ore., said Sunday he would not resign despite calls for him to do so after he admitted he lied and asked a teenager to lie about their sexual relationship.

Unreturned Library Book Leads To Arrest - January 23, 2009 - INDEPENDENCE, Iowa -- An Iowa woman has been arrested because she failed to return a library book.

Metrorail North Corridor extension derailed another year - January 23, 2009 - For the second year in a row, the Metrorail North Corridor received low marks from federal regulators. But the long-sought project is not quite dead yet.

Florida job offices feel the squeeze, too - January 23, 2009 - Applying for unemployment benefits in Florida can't be done in person. Either go online, or do it by phone and wait.

Taxes, housekeeper said to derail Kennedy’s bid - January 22, 2009 - Kennedy aide: Nothing that surfaced would disqualify her

Ore. to investigate gay mayor’s affair with teen - January 22, 2009 - Portland mayor admits he lied to cover up the relationship

High school coach charged in player's death - January 22, 2009 - LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A Kentucky high school football coach was charged Thursday with reckless homicide in the death of a player who collapsed at practice as temperatures soared.

Political Interference Seen in Bank Bailout Decisions - January 22, 2009 - Barney Frank Goes to Bat for Lender, and It Gets an Infusion

Despite billions, banks still teeter on the brink - January 21, 2009 - Wall Street waits on Obama, but no clear solution to the crisis exists

Bush's legacy is America's shame - January 18, 2009 - Although Americans would be wary of admitting it to others, we know the wreckage left behind by the outgoing administration

Interest Rate Drop Has Dire Results for Legal Aid - January 19, 2009 - BOSTON — Scores of legal aid societies that help poor people with noncriminal cases — like disputes over foreclosures, evictions and eligibility for unemployment benefits — are being forced to cut their staffs and services, even as requests for help have soared.

Man sues city for demolishing his fixer-upper - January 19, 2009 - Detroit allegedly put it back on demolition list — after he made repairs

Foreclosures up 81% in 2008 - January 14, 2009 - One in 54 homes entered foreclosure in 2008. Rising unemployment and sliding home prices have some experts expecting 2009 to be even worse.

Most Wanted' Mo. woman gets 3 years for shooting - January 14, 2009 - KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A purported Kansas City, Mo., gang leader who was briefly on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Judge rules Madoff to remain out of jail - January 14, 2009 - Prosecutors argued he is a flight risk and shouldn’t be under house arrest

Budget-squeezed states want a share of online sales - January 13, 2009 - BUYING ONLINE IS CONVENIENT -- AND A WAY TO AVOID SALES TAX. BUT BUDGET-SQUEEZED STATES WANT A SHARE OF CYBER-BUYING

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Inaugural is lobbying schmooze - January 12, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- Mere hours before Barack Obama is sworn in as president with a pledge to end the grip of special interests on government, a group of lobbyists will be feting Rep. John Conyers, a powerful Democratic committee chairman, at a $1,000-a-head reception.

Friend of Mass. House speaker pleads not guilty - January 12, 2009 - BOSTON -- An accountant accused of using his friendship with the Massachusetts House speaker to push ticket-scalping legislation and concealing his work as a lobbyist pleaded not guilty Monday, as his lawyer succeeded in blocking the release of more details of the case.

Senate Dems expect to seat Burris this week - January 12, 2009 - Burris dispatched lawyers to Capitol Hill on Monday

States ponder early release for some prisoners - January 10, 2009 - NEW YORK - Their budgets in crisis, governors, legislators and prison officials across the nation are making or considering policy changes that will likely remove tens of thousands of offenders from prisons and parole supervision.

Calif. postal worker accused of opening letters - January 7, 2009 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A U.S. Postal Service worker in Northern California has been charged with opening greeting cards to steal cash and other property.

New Orleans drops charges against Catholics - January 7, 2009 - NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans prosecutors have dropped criminal charges against two protesters who were arrested after they refused to leave a Catholic church closed by the archdiocese.

Baltimore city councilwoman, developer indicted - January 7, 2009 - BALTIMORE -- A grand jury indicted a Baltimore councilwoman and a prominent developer Wednesday, the first public corruption charges in a three-year probe of city finances that has targeted the mayor.

Taxpayer tab over Mo. gov's e-mail trouble: $1.5M - January 7, 2009 - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Outgoing Gov. Matt Blunt's troubles over deleted e-mails and the firing of a staff attorney have cost Missouri taxpayers about $1.5 million.

Federal judge arrests Ala. sheriff over jail food - January 7, 2009 - DECATUR, Ala. -- A federal judge has ordered the arrest of an Alabama sheriff who was held in contempt of court for failing to adequately feed jail inmates while profiting from the skimpy meals.

Ex-aide sentenced in Detroit mayor sex scandal - January 6, 2009 - She gets 120 days with time shaved off for good behavior

Prosecutors want bail for Madoff revoked - January 5, 2009 - Prosecutors want Bernard Madoff behind bars for mailing $1 million of valuables in violation of an asset freeze. Meanwhile, the SEC's internal watchdog said the agency's enforcement operations also will be scrutinized.

Phone exec says Pa. senator listed $50M in demands - January 5, 2009 - PHILADELPHIA -- The former president of Verizon Pennsylvania testified Monday that a powerful state lawmaker gave him a list of demands worth $50 million during negotiations over phone-industry deregulation.

Judge OKs legal settlement for Mo. gov.'s e-mails - January 6, 2009 - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A judge has approved a legal settlement that requires outgoing Gov. Matt Blunt to hand over thousands of e-mails to investigators, but leaves unresolved the question of whether Blunt's office violated public records laws.

Broward judge boots murder case prosecutors over taped calls - January 6, 2009 - Recordings of a defendant's phone calls with his lawyer from the Broward County Jail are at the heart of a dispute that has landed two prosecutors in hot water.

Judge reinstates Islamic group's wiretapping suit - January 5, 2009 - SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge on Monday reinstated an Islamic charity's lawsuit challenging a Bush administration surveillance program.

Ex-SC trooper caught kicking suspect pleads guilty - January 5, 2009 - COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A former South Carolina trooper caught on video kicking a suspect in the head after a highway chase pleaded guilty Monday to violating the man's civil rights, according to federal court documents.

Ill. mother wins suit over son's prison killing - January 5, 2009 - SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A judge has ordered an Illinois prison inmate who killed his cellmate - after allegedly warning guards he would harm the man - to pay $13 million to the dead inmate's estate and his mother.

Franken on top in Minn. recount; Coleman to sue - January 5, 2009 - ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A Minnesota board on Monday certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state's U.S. Senate recount over Republican Norm Coleman, whose lawyer promised a legal challenge that probably will keep the race in limbo for months.

Drug Bust Delayed Over Palin Politics? - January 5, 2009 - Tripp Palin's Grandmother Arrested

5 governors unite, seek $1 trillion in federal aid - January 3, 2009 - Governor Deval Patrick and four other influential Democratic governors pleaded their case yesterday for up to $1 trillion in federal assistance over the next two years, to help alleviate budget cuts, create jobs, and avoid inflicting irreversible damage to schools during a fiscal crisis.

Jail shut after cops discover recliners in cells - January 3, 2009 - FORT WORTH, Texas - A jail has been closed and its nearly 60 inmates transferred as authorities investigate what they call dangerous conditions for jailers and those behind bars — including cells that locked from the inside or contained recliners.

Seattle police fatally shoot armed history buff - January 3, 2009 - SEATTLE -- A college student dressed in a vintage German military uniform who was fatally shot by police on New Year's Day was a harmless, eccentric history buff, his family and friends said Friday.

Democrats plan cool reception for Senate appointee - January 2, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- Senate Democratic leaders plan to grant few if any privileges next week to Roland Burris, the man picked by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to represent the state in the Senate, even if Burris arrives on Capitol Hill with the proper credentials.

Senate GOP would block early try to seat Franken - January 2, 2009 - ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A top Senate Republican said Friday his caucus would block any attempt to seat the winner of Minnesota's close election until an anticipated court case is finished and an official election certificate is issued.

SF wants $75,000 back from tiger attack survivor - January 2, 2009 - SAN FRANCISCO -- Officials want a survivor of a tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo to reimburse the city more than $75,000 for his medical treatment and are asking that the money come out of any cash settlement the victim may receive.

Democrats' struggle with filling Obama seat - January 1, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- Rep. Bobby Rush says he doesn't think any U.S. senator would be caught turning a black man away from serving alongside them.

How the Senate Can Stop Blagojevich - December 31, 2008 - It easily has the power to block the governor's appointment of Roland Burris.

Veterans: Do more to help homeless vets - December 31, 2008 - A group of veterans are calling attention to the plight of homeless veterans in Miami by holding a rally Wednesday morning in front of Miami-Dade County Hall.

Cheney's Legacy of Deception - December 30, 2008 - In the end, the shame of Vice President Dick Cheney was total: unmitigated by any notion of a graceful departure, let alone the slightest obligation of honest accounting. Although firmly ensconced, even in the popular imagination, as an example of evil incarnate--nearly a quarter of those polled in this week's CNN poll rated him the worst vice president in US history, and 41 percent as "poor"--Cheney exudes the confidence of one fully convinced that he will get away with it all.

Probe: Sex assaults by staff on inmates 'a problem' at federal prisons - December 28, 2008 - A female inmate's brutal experience of sexual assaults by guards at the Federal Detention Center in Miami isn't uncommon in U.S. prisons.

Time runs out on rape suit - December 28, 2008 - A federal judge says the U.S. Bureau of Prisons was 'woefully deficient' in protecting a government witness from guards who repeatedly sexually assaulted her at the Federal Detention Center in Miami.

States are selling off roads, parks, airports and lotteries to raise funds - December 28, 2008 - Ballooning budget deficits have prompted more U.S. states to sell off roads, parks, airports and lotteries to raise money.

Double dipping rises despite outrage - December 28, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE — This year some of Florida's public officials are giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "home for the holidays.''

Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort languishes - December 27, 2008 - After 25 years and almost $6 billion spent, government misses deadlines

Ex-trooper suspected in Dallas-area shootings dies- December 25, 2008 - DALLAS -- A former Utah state trooper suspected in a series of Dallas-area roadway shootings died on Christmas Eve, a day after police said he turned a gun on himself following a brief standoff.

Firefighters In Trouble For Misusing Engine - December 23, 2008 - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- City officials said two off-duty Fort Lauderdale firefighters who were in a hit-and-run crash in Pompano Beach after drinking beer at local bars got a ride home in one of the city's fire engines.

Alleged misconduct in Ted Stevens trial - December 23, 2008 - An Alaska FBI agent has accused fellow agents and at least one prosecutor of misconduct and unethical behavior in the public corruption investigation in Alaska and the trial of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.

Senate bill cracks down on bailout recipients - December 23, 2008 - WASHINGTON -- One of the first orders of business for the new Congress next month will be making sure that banks and other firms that received some of the $700 billion economic bailout reveal how they are spending it.

Obama aide talked with governor; no deal discussed. - December 23, 2008 - WASHINGTON -- An internal review prepared for Barack Obama found his incoming chief of staff had multiple conversations with the Illinois governor's office, but said the talks did not involve any deal concerning whom the governor would appoint to replace Obama in the Senate.

Madoff investor found dead of suicide. - December 23, 2008 - Founder of hedge fund discovered dead at his Manhattan office

The selection of a Miami lawyer for the Florida Supreme Court has been criticized by a group of lawyers as too political and potentially illegal. - December 23, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE -- Politics swayed Jimenez nomination to Judicial Nominating Commission

Charge against attorney dismissed - December 23, 2008 - Prominent attorney Ben Kuehne won a major victory in his fight against the government, which accuses him of laundering drug profits for legal fees.

The Fed Makes Money - December 22, 2008 - Quantitative easing," don't you love it? It's the latest business-economics euphemism designed to mislead. I do not know who they think they're fooling: it's like doctors calling excruciating pain "discomfort."

Open and Shut Cases - December 22, 2008 - Dick Cheney's unique gift for making hard questions easy and vice versa.

Deerfield Beach mayor defends 2 accused of corruption - December 22, 2008 - Deerfield Beach Mayor Sylvia Poitier is standing by two colleagues arrested recently on felony corruption charges.

Small banks still waiting - December 21, 2008 - Many small community banks are growing frustrated about their inability to access the government's $700 billion financial rescue fund, nearly two months after large banks began tapping the fund for much-needed capital.

Ill. impeachment panel awaits word from prosecutor - December 21, 2008 - SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The legislative committee considering impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich could be at the beginning of its work or nearing the end, depending on the wishes of federal prosecutors.

Lawmakers cash in with campus jobs - December 21, 2008 - Former and current lawmakers are finding employment at community colleges and state universities, even in times of cutbacks and curbs on enrollment.

$1.6 billion went to bailed-out bank execs - December 21, 2008 - Records show bonuses, chauffeurs, health club benefits, financial planning

Blagojevich: 'I have done nothing wrong' - December 19, 2008 - Governor's attorney challenging lawfulness of court-ordered wiretaps

With economy in shambles, Congress gets a raise - December 18, 2008 - A crumbling economy, more than 2 million constituents who have lost their jobs this year, and congressional demands of CEOs to work for free did not convince lawmakers to freeze their own pay.

Katrina's Hidden Race War - December 17, 2008 - The way Donnell Herrington tells it, there was no warning. One second he was trudging through the heat. The next he was lying prostrate on the pavement, his life spilling out of a hole in his throat, his body racked with pain, his vision blurred and distorted.

Director of SEC says it failed in Madoff case - December 16, 2008 - Many times agency didn’t investigate; alleged scam snared tens of billions

Ill. House speaker launches impeachment panel - December 15, 2008 - Special committee to review case, recommend on Blagojevich future

NYC cop indicted in body-check seen on YouTube - December 15, 2008 - A New York City police officer has been indicted after being caught on video knocking a bicyclist to the ground.

Truck driver given 36-year prison term for crash that killed 4 - December 15, 2008 - The driver of a gas tanker that exploded and killed four people will spend at least three decades in prison.

Wis. lawmaker arrest on alcohol, marijuana charges - December 15, 2008 - MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin lawmaker has been arrested on charges of drunken driving and possession of marijuana.

Ohio woman being released in pregnant woman case- December 15, 2008 - CANTON, Ohio -- An Ohio woman who helped a police officer dispose of his pregnant lover's body is getting out of prison early.

Charges Dropped Against Bill Dillon - December 14, 2008 - On television's 20/20 In 1984, Geraldo Rivera exposed crime scene dog handler John Preston as a fraud. Many of the hundreds Preston's bogus testimony put behind bars nationwide remain there, with their cases unexamined.

Political Corruption Smackdown - December 13, 2008 - Which state is the most crooked—Illinois or Louisiana?

Deerfield Beach City Commissioner Facing Felony Charges - December 11, 2008 - DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. -- A South Florida city commissioner is facing a number of charges, including grand theft, after police said he unlawfully misused funds.

Pay raise for judges tucked into bailout plan - December 11, 2008 - WASHINGTON -- If the $14 billion bailout plan for U.S. automakers passes, it will help more than just Ford, Chrysler and General Motors. Federal judges would get a pay raise, as well.

Are Blagojevich tapes enough evidence to convict? - December 11, 2008 - CHICAGO -- The wiretaps portray what prosecutors call blatant corruption: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich scheming to barter Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat for a Cabinet post, an ambassadorship or high-paying jobs for himself and his wife.

Many Parents Clueless About Newborn Genetic Tests - December 10, 2008 - (WCCO) Each year blood samples are taken from thousands of newborns to screen for more than 50 medical conditions.

Illinois governor's words 'beyond greed' - December 10, 2008 - Recordings stun political analysts with profanity, threats and demands

A portrait of a politician: vengeful and profane - December 10, 2008 - 'I was speechless and sickened,' says a critic of disgraced Gov. Blagojevich

Rumsfeld cited in abuse of detainees - December 10, 2008 - A Senate committee investigating the use of inhumane interrogation techniques blamed, among others, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

‘A Senate Seat on Ebay’ - December 9, 2008 - Inside the case against Illinois Gov. Blagojevich

Illinois has long legacy of public corruption - December 9, 2008 - At least 79 elected officials have been convicted of wrongdoing since 1972

Conspiracy charges brought against Mass. officials - December 9, 2008 - BOSTON -- Prosecutors say a former Massachusetts state senator and a Boston city councilor conspired to accept a bribe from a businessman in exchange for a liquor license.

Feds: Governor tried to 'auction' Obama's seat - December 9, 2008 - Blagojevich arrested, accused of 'corruption crime spree' over appointment

The case against Illinois Gov. Blagojevich - December 7, 2008 - read the full criminal complaint (PDF)

Rhode Island slow on program to deport immigrant inmates - December 7, 2008 - CRANSTON, R.I. -- The idea was simple: States could flush their prisons early of nonviolent immigrant convicts while helping the federal government close the books on potentially thousands of pending deportations.

Former Minn. prosecutor wins whistleblower deal - December 3, 2008 - MINNEAPOLIS -- A former U.S. attorney for Minnesota retaliated against a top prosecutor in her office who reported her for careless handling of classified homeland security reports, a watchdog agency said Wednesday.

Nev.'s lieutenant gov. indicted over college fund - Dwcember 3, 2008 - LAS VEGAS -- A grand jury on Wednesday indicted Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki on charges of mismanaging a multibillion-dollar college savings program when he was state treasurer.

Texas lambasted over care of mentally disabled - December 3, 2008 - Justice Department accuses state of violating patients’ constitutional rights

Witness against Sen. Stevens says he hid the truth - November 21, 2008 - WASHINGTON (AP) -- One of the government's witnesses against convicted Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska says he didn't tell the truth on the stand about an immunity deal with the Justice Department in exchange for his testimony.

2nd Mass. politician charged with taking bribe - November 21, 2008 - BOSTON (AP) -- FBI agents arrested a Boston city council member Friday after he was videotaped allegedly taking a $1,000 bribe from an undercover agent in an expanding investigation into corruption at City Hall and the Massachusetts Statehouse.

Hub Corruption Probe Widens As Councilor Arrested - November 21, 2008 - Chuck Turner Accused Of Taking Bribes, Lying

Behind the Scenes: A mother's grief in New Orleans - November 21, 2008 - In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events.

3 Houston officers taken off street after claims of beating - November 21, 2008 - Three police officers in Houston, Texas, have been temporarily transferred from patrol duty to desk jobs after claims of assault against the father of Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, authorities said Friday.

Government Must Return Money To Man Acquitted Of Robbing Fla. Bank - November 21, 2008 - ATLANTA -- Appeals judges say the government must return $3,040 to a man acquitted of robbing a Florida bank rather than applying it to costs of his public defender.

Blind Woman Must Pay Penny Or Face Lien - November 18, 2008 - BOSTON -- A 74-year-old blind woman could have a lien placed on her home if she fails to pay the penny she owes on an outstanding sewer bill.