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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

A hearty F*** You to William Arkin  —  Update: Marc Danziger, the Armed Liberal over at Winds of change is much less hyperbolic about Arkin than I am and check on Fuzzy Bear's stuff too.  —  Apologies for the F bombs bursting in air, but...well just read on.

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.

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.

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?

Rep. Gary Miller, in senior perch, is part of FBI probe  —  After months of GOP ethics scandals, House Republicans chose Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) as the ranking member of a panel charged with investigating financial institutions — even as the FBI was looking into his land deals.

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 …

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.

Dodd's Showing In Polls Laughable  —  At Least Comedians Have Noticed It  —  WASHINGTON — When pollster John Zogby asked a group of 339 likely Democratic voters earlier this month whom they wanted for president in 2008, one or two mentioned Connecticut's senior senator.

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!

Cult had dug in for massive battle  —  The group, well armed and well organized, was decimated by Iraqi forces aided by U.S. air power, authorities say.  —  ZERGHA, IRAQ — The dead wore the same footwear, imitation leather dress shoes with Velcro flaps.  Their mangled bodies filled the trenches.

Sunni mosques still show damage in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Four Sunni mosques attacked in late November in the embattled Hurriyah neighborhood of Baghdad still bear scars from the attacks and all are now either under Shiite Muslim control or closed.  —  Immediately after the Nov. 24 incidents …

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.