Ten Winners to Receive Education Funds

New York and District of Columbia were among the 10 winners selected by the Department of Education to share $3.4 billion in its "Race to the Top" competition.

Sherrod Declines Job at Agriculture Department

Agriculture Department official Shirley Sherrod, who was ousted during a racial firestorm in July, has declined to accept an invitation to return to full-time work at the agency.

Judge Roils Stem-Cell Research

A U.S. judge blocked the federal government from funding research involving human embryonic stem cells, a surprise blow to one of the most promising yet controversial areas of scientific research.

System for Spill Claims Is Assailed

Kenneth Feinberg's effort to set the terms for handing out BP money to Gulf oil spill victims came under attack from state officials and lawyers who said he planned to be too restrictive in deciding who gets paid.

Races Pit Veterans Against Newcomers

Florida voters will settle a pair of nasty primary fights today that pit veteran politicians against wealthy newcomers who claim to be more in tune with this year's angry voter mood. John McCain and Lisa Murkowski are poised to win bitter primaries in Arizona and Alaska.

Whigs Try to Rouse Angry Middle

An anti-Washington mood is opening doors to novice candidates from right and left. But the Modern Whigs have found it frustrating to try to spark a grass-roots uprising in the center.

New Generation Reimagines Museums

A new generation of women and men in their 40s is taking the reins at America's top art museums. Shaped by their times, many have different views of what a museum should be.

Downtown L.A. to Get Broad's Museum

Eli Broad said he would invest at least $300 million to build a new museum to house his contemporary art collection, part of an evolving revival of the city's downtown.

Sliced Bagels, Taxes on Top

What's the tax on a bagel? It depends how you slice it?or in the case of New York, if you slice it. State tax officials have begun to enforce one of the more obscure distinctions within the state's sales tax law.