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.

Poll: Americans oppose weaker unions  —  MADISON, Wis. — Americans strongly oppose laws taking away the collective bargaining power of public employee unions, according to a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.  The poll found 61% would oppose a law in their state similar to such a proposal in Wisconsin …

Is Scott Walker Cutting Off Internet Access To Thwart Protesters?  —  Our guest blogger is Mike Elk, a freelance labor journalist and third generation union organizer based in Washington, D.C. You can follow him for more updates on Wisconsin on twitter at @MikeElk.

› - 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Madison Labor Group Prepares For General Strike  —  Group Says It Needs To Educate Public First  —  MADISON, Wis. — If Gov. Scott Walker and Republican legislators pass a union bill that restricts collective bargaining rights, some labor groups in Madison said they would endorse the entire …

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

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.

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

Government pensions, an obesity epidemic  —  In New York City, the No. 2 guy in the fire department retired on a pension worth $242,000 a year.  In New York State, a single official holding two jobs and one pension took in $641,000.  A lieutenant with the Port Authority police retired …

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 …

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.

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.