State

• Blagojevich got $80K from road builders

• Senate Democrats expect to seat Burris

National

• Blizzard that socked Plains takes aim at Midwest

• More families seeking home heat aid

• Not just a dream: Obama sparks black men to action

• Zoos, aquariums face the ax in N.Y., elsewhere

International

• Israeli forces enter Gaza City neighborhood

  • Egypt in more talks with Hamas

• Iraq official: Biden affirms 'responsible' pullout

• Closing Gitmo requires tough judgments on inmates

• Greenpeace buys land to foil London runway plans

Politics

• Clinton appears set for Senate OK as top diplomat

• Obama seeks access to half of bailout funds

  • Bernanke: Obama stimulus would lift economy

• Emotional at the last, Bush defends his presidency

ODD & Extraordinary

• Aging hands tie the knot at Ill. senior center

• Ossama hair salon changes name to Obama

• Atlanta thieves nab 2 bicycles from Jimmy Carter

• Pair accused of assault over Wii Christmas gift

• Angry customer accused of setting fire at store

• Pa. officer smells smoke, arrests man for arson

• Man accused of recruiting would-be cops for cartel

• Suspected drunken driver rams funeral-bound hearse

• Man accused of selling daughter for cash, beer

Science, Technology & Environment

• Finger length may predict financial success

• Groups sue EPA, want tougher ship discharge rules

Entertainment, Entertainers, Media & Arts

• 'Idol' returns with the good, the bad, the bikini

• Beyonce, Wonder, Springsteen at inaugural event

• Howie Mandel hospitalized with irregular heartbeat

Today

• This day in history

• The nation's weather