Democrats trigger Statehouse showdown over anti-union legislation  —  House Democrats are leaving the state rather than vote on anti-union legislation, The Indianapolis Star has learned.  —  A source said Democrats are headed to Illinois, though it was possible some also might go to Kentucky.

Paychecks to be withheld from absent Wis. senators  —  14 Democratic senators fled to Illinois, stalling vote on budget repair bill  —  State senators who miss two or more session days will no longer get paid through direct deposit.  They'll have to pick up their checks in person on the Senate floor during a session.

› - Statement from John and Kimberley Thune  —  For months now, my wife Kimberley and I have received encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, and supporters from across South Dakota and the country to run for the presidency of the United States.

Wisconsin's Walker Signs Bill Requiring 2/3 Majority for Tax Increases  —  How Wisconsin becomes California.  (photo: FredR on Flickr)  —  I got a sense from Sen. Chris Larson and some others in Wisconsin that the Governor and his Republican allies had run amok in the Capitol before attention …

Rahm Emanuel wins Chicago mayoral vote  —  Chicago (CNN) - Rahm Emanuel, the former chief of staff to President Barack Obama, won the Chicago mayoral election over five other challengers Tuesday, topping the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff vote, CNN projects.

BREAKING PHOTOS!!  Wisconsin “Fleebagger” Spotted In Illinois UPDATE: Police Called To “Fleebag” Hotel  —  Spotted in the wild, south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border!  —  More details coming.  —  UPDATE: Is this Chris Larson?  —  UPDATE: We are receiving reports that the police …

Sarah Palin Has Secret ‘Lou Sarah’ Facebook Account To Praise Other Sarah Palin Facebook Account  —  Sarah Palin has apparently created a second Facebook account with her Gmail address so that this fake “Lou Sarah” person can praise the other Sarah Palin on Facebook.

Live Blog - Libya Feb 22  —  on February 22nd, 2011.  —  Alleged mercenaries deployed by Gaddafi in Tripoli, the Libyan capital.  —  As the uprising in Libya enters its ninth day, we keep you updated on the developing situation from our headquarters in Doha, Qatar.

Are Wisconsin Public Employees Underpaid?  —  Ezra Klein and a variety of other thoughtful liberal bloggers have been pointing to an Economic Policy Institute analysis that they claim demonstrates that Wisconsin's public employees, even after adjusting for benefits and hours worked, face a …

It's the Inequality, Stupid  —  Post Comment  —  HOW RICH ARE THE SUPERRICH? … WINNERS TAKE ALL  —  The superrich have grabbed the bulk of the past three decades' gains.  —  OUT OF BALANCE

4 Americans on hijacked yacht dead off Somalia  —  U.S. Navy warship shadowing seized vessel takes action after gunshots are heard; 4 hostages apparently killed by captors, some pirates dead  —  The four Americans aboard a yacht hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia are dead.

Online Poll - Drawing Arrest … - HOT TOPICS - Carmelo Trade - Boy Arrested Over Drawing - Find Low Gas Prices - Libya Violence - E-470 Crash - ‘Heaven Is Real’

Harry Reid: ‘The time has come for us to outlaw prostitution’  —  Left: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011.  Right: Northern Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof tries to battle threats to his industry on Tuesday in Carson City.

Tea party may fight GOP over Lee's seat  —  Tea party activists, slumbering since last fall's gubernatorial election, may be awakening and ready to challenge the Republican process for choosing a successor to Christopher J. Lee in the 26th Congressional District.

Two-Thirds of Wisconsin Public-School 8th Graders Can't Read Proficiently—Despite Highest Per Pupil Spending in Midwest  —  (CNSNews.com) - Two-thirds of the eighth graders in Wisconsin public schools cannot read proficiently according to the U.S. Department of Education …