The News reader from Sicilian.Net

The recession is hitting American cities hard, but some are equipped to survive. How Pittsburgh remade itself after the last crash--and what others can learn from it

Friday's report from special investigator Stephen Branchflower to Alaska's Legislative Council answered some basic questions about the political and personal bog known as Troopergate

Falling crude prices look good at the gas pump, but they harbor new threats to the environment and international stability

Can an Obama supporter stay close to a father who doesn't share her political views?

The Japanese company Toto unveils its $5,000 toilet, in case anyone has a house left to put it in.

Overlooked again by the Nobel committee? Fear not: FieldReport.com has a literary contest for you

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder wrote a blog post arguing that John McCain was not serious about his William Ayers attacks. I responded that McCain was serious, to the extent that serious is a thing that matters.

Some states, like California, are having trouble paying their bills. Others are simply having to pay higher interest rates

Viewpoint: Professional troubleshooter Martti Ahtisaari may not seem an inspired Nobel choice, but who'd want the job of brokering agreements between those who'd prefer to have blown one another way

Fast-casual eateries will be the soup kitchens of this economic downturn, as the table-service restaurant industry takes a hit

Lessons from Japan's "Lost Decade" and the Asian Financial Crisis may provide clues for easing the credit crunch

As the economic downturn takes out Wall Street's power brokers, it may also collapse the charities depending on their largesse