What to Do When ObamaCare Unravels  —  Health insurance should be individual, portable across jobs, states and providers, and lifelong and renewable.  —  The unraveling of the Affordable Care Act presents a historic opportunity for change.  Its proponents call it “settled law,” …

CNN Poll: GOP has edge in early midterm indicator  —  Washington (CNN) - Democrats have lost their advantage and Republicans now have a slight edge in the battle for control of Congress, according to a new national poll.  —  A CNN/ORC International survey released Thursday also indicates …

A&E's Duck Dynasty Dilemma  —  It had never happened before.  When big, powerful TV executives ask a star to apologize for what they deem inappropriate comments or behavior, the star simply complies.  A team of publicists is assembled, the star does the obligatory apology tour for the press …

Katy man charged with hate crime for attack  —  KATY, TX (KTRK) — A Katy man has been charged with a federal hate crime for allegedly assaulting a 79-year-old African-American man in a knockout game-style attack, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.  —  According to investigators …

Why the Tea Party Isn't Going Anywhere  —  The demise of the Tea Party was loudly announced right after Congress voted on October 16 to lift the debt ceiling and reopen the federal government.  “Finally!  The Republican Fever Is Broken,” exulted Jamelle Bouie atThe Daily Beast …

Late Surge in Web Buying Blindsides UPS, Retailers  —  Some Christmas Packages Aren't Delivered … A surge in online shopping this holiday season left stores breaking promises to deliver packages by Christmas, suggesting that retailers and shipping companies still haven't fully figured …

Michelle Obama at 50  —  Trailblazing first lady is ‘American superwoman,’ championing causes, raising a family  —  First lady Michelle Obama will be the guest of honor at a White House dance party next month when she turns “50 and fabulous,” as she put it recently.

The Francis factor: Pope's economic ideas rattle GOP  —  “He's entitled to his opinion, but I think we should look carefully at what he's saying,” Toomey said.  “It's easy to draw I think what could be mistaken, superficial conclusions from some of the things that he said.

GOP, Business Recast Message  —  Republican Leaders, Allies Aim to Diminish Clout of Most-Conservative Activists  —  Republican leaders and their corporate allies have launched an array of efforts aimed at diminishing the clout of the party's most conservative activists and promoting legislation instead of confrontation next year.

In a Car-Culture Clash, It's the Los Angeles Police vs. Pedestrians  —  LOS ANGELES — In a city of seemingly endless highways — with its daily parade of car accidents, frustrating traffic jams and aggressive drivers — the Los Angeles Police Department these days is training its sights on a different road menace: jaywalkers.

The GOP's History of Sexist Hillary-Bashing  —  Desperate to stop a second Clinton presidency in 2016, it's a sure bet many in the GOP will reprise the ugly attacks they used on her 22 years ago.  —  While Hillary Clinton has made clear that she won't decide whether she wants to pursue …

Kidnapped American asks U.S. to negotiate with al-Qaeda for his release  —  A U.S. government contractor kidnapped by al-Qaeda militants in Pakistan in 2011 has recorded a video message calling on the Obama administration to negotiate with his captors, saying he feels “totally abandoned and forgotten.”