Although both parties have rejected a value-added tax, political gridlock is keeping them from offering better alternatives than the VAT.

They may not work in heavy-traffic rooms, but motion-activated light switches can save homeowners money in medium-to-low traffic rooms or ones in which lights are accidentally left on.

Reports say three to five new schools could join in a Big 10 expansion, with Notre Dame the top candidate.

AP - The furor over Arizona's new law cracking down on illegal immigrants grew Monday as opponents used refried beans to smear swastikas on the state Capitol, civil rights leaders demanded a boycott of the state, and the Obama administration weighed a possible legal challenge.

AP - Undaunted by a Senate setback, Democrats appeared increasingly confident Monday they will be able to take advantage of Americans' anger at Wall Street and push through the most sweeping new controls on financial institutions since the Great Depression.

AP - The CEO of Goldman Sachs and other executives from the Wall Street powerhouse are coming before Congress 10 days after the government accused the firm of fraud. The Senate panel hearing their testimony Tuesday alleges that Goldman used a strategy that allowed it profit from the housing meltdown and reap billions at the expense of clients.