Syndicated columnist Molly Ivins dies at 62  —  Best-selling author, sharp-witted Texas liberal succumbs to breast cancer  —  Syndicated columnist Molly Ivins poses for a portrait at her home Sept. 22 in Austin, Texas.  She died Wednesday at 62 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Terror Plot: Ninth Arrest  —  A ninth suspect has been arrested by police investigating an alleged Iraq-style kidnapping and beheading plot in the UK.  —  It follows the detention of eight people at addresses in Birmingham earlier.  —  Assistant Chief Constable David Shaw, of West Midlands Police …

Biden Unbound: Lays Into Clinton, Obama, Edwards  —  Loquacious Senator, Democratic Candidate on Hillary: 'Four of 10 Is the Max You Can Get?'  Edwards 'Doesn't Know What He's Talking About'  —  Senator Joseph Biden doesn't think highly of the Iraq policies of some of the other Democrats who are running for President.

Devices Part Of Cartoon Marketing Campaign  —  (WBZ) BOSTON The suspicious devices which forced bomb units to scramble across Boston today were actually magnetic lights that are part of a marketing campaign for a television cartoon.  —  The reports forced the temporary shutdowns of Interstate 93 …

Gonzales to Release Spy Program Details  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Wednesday he will turn over secret documents detailing the government's domestic spying program, ending a two-week standoff with the Senate Judiciary Committee over surveillance targeting terror suspects.

Air Force's role in Iraq could grow  —  More flights are likely along the Iranian border, sources say.  —  WASHINGTON — The Air Force is preparing for an expanded role in Iraq that could include aggressive new tactics designed to deter Iranian assistance to Iraqi militants, senior Pentagon officials said.

Honesty in Elections  —  On Election Day last fall in Maryland, fliers were handed out in black neighborhoods with the heading "Democratic Sample Ballot" and photos of black Democratic leaders — and boxes checked off beside the names of the Republican candidates for senator and governor.

Slaughter Condemns Military Equipment Shortages as Waste Persists  —  New Pentagon Audit Confirms Troops Sent into Iraq and Afghanistan Without Adequate Equipment, Armored Vehicles, while Reconstruction Funds Squandered by Perpetual Waste, Fraud, and Abuse  —  Washington, DC …

New Blogmaster  —  This is both my first post to the Edwards blog and my announcement that I'm joining the presidential campaign for John Edwards for 2008.  I'll be taking over the job of Blogmaster (mistress?) over the course of the month of February.  —  The main two questions this brings up are: Why me?

Al-Maliki: Iraq won't be battleground for U.S., Iran … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraq's prime minister said Wednesday he's sure Iran is behind some attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and he won't allow his country to be a battleground for the two nations.  —  "We have told the Iranians and the Americans …

Libby Live: Matt Cooper One  —  This is NOT Cooper on the stand.  It's him speaking at Georgetown.  In any case, here are some groundrules.  I timestamp my posts-that will let you know when you should update (please err on the side of saving the servers).  Also, treat this as a liveblog, not a transcript; I'm no court reporter!

Obama's Grudge Factor  —  These are chilly days on Capitol Hill ... and on the campaign trail for Fox News journalists — at least when they're anywhere near Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).  —  Sources tell The Sleuth that the Obama camp has "frozen out" Fox News reporters and producers in the wake …

Franken tells DFLers he's running for Senate  —  WASHINGTON - Comedian and radio talk show host Al Franken has begun calling Democratic members of Congress and prominent DFLers to tell them he will definitely challenge Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in 2008, the Star Tribune has learned.

News tips & feedback  —  Manchester - He didn't directly take himself out of presidential contention, but former New York Gov. George Pataki told key Granite State Republicans last night he won't object if they want to closely examine and endorse other candidates.