Birmingham mayor faces bribery charges
The mayor of Alabama's largest city was arrested Monday on federal bribery and fraud charges connected to a sewer bond deal that has driven the surrounding county to the brink of bankruptcy.

Floods leave Venice underwater

Residents and tourists in Venice waded through knee-deep water Monday as they navigated the city's narrow streets and alleys, and its historic St. Mark's Square was inundated.

It's official: U.S. is in recession
A panel of the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday that the U.S. economy fell into a recession last year.

N.M. baby dies from illness tied to formula
The New Mexico Health Department says a baby has died and another has been hospitalized due to a rare infection.

Dodgers offer arbitration to Manny, Lowe

The Los Angeles Dodgers offered salary arbitration to free agents Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe and Casey Blake on Monday.

Obama names Clinton to top role

President-elect Barack Obama announced former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as his choice for secretary of state Monday and also said he would keep Robert Gates as defense minister.

Winter weather slows travel in U.S.

Stranded airline passengers lingered in Chicago's airports Monday as a storm tapered off after delivering a wintry mix to Illinois including snow, gusty winds and ice that led to at least two traffic deaths.

Fed chairman: Lower rates 'feasible'

Fed chief Ben Bernanke said that further interest-rate cuts are "certainly feasible," but he warned there are limits to how much such action would revive the economy.

Activist moves homeless into foreclosures

A Miami activist who has been executing a bailout plan of his own around Miami's empty streets: He is helping homeless people illegally move into foreclosed homes.

Sears faces tough test this season

The holiday season is expected to be difficult for most retailers, but it could prove especially tough for one of the nation's most storied brands: Sears.