... sounded confident as he spoke with reporters after the meeting with Obama. "I think we will get the necessary votes, yes," he said. "I feel very confident about that." Associated Press writer Liz Sidoti contributed to this story.

... latest layoffs were announced by Macy's, the Cincinnati-based department store chain, which said it was cutting 7,000 jobs. Associated Press writers Ben Feller, Andrew Taylor, Liz Sidoti and Alan Fram contributed to this story.

... Lewis said. "We had no authority to tell them what to do, just urge them what to do." Associated Press writers Liz Sidoti, Chris Rugaber and Devlin Barrett contributed to this report.

... to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling." Associated Press writers Terence Chea, Jason Dearen, Juliana Barbassa and Evelyn Nieves in San Francisco and Liz Sidoti in Washington contributed to this report.

... for the week," said Melder, although he added, "I have responsibilities here as well." Associated Press writers Liz Sidoti and Sara Kugler in St. Paul, Charles Babington in Lima, Ohio, and Beth Fouhy in Jackson, Miss., contributed to ...

... English, among other requirements. Obama, McCain's colleague in the Senate, supported that bill. Nedra Pickler and Liz Sidoti Associated Press Writers Washington Q: I've always wondered, where do the emergency personnel stay during a hurricane ...

... siding with Bush, a major impediment to his campaign. Associated Press Writers Nedra Pickler, Charles Babington and Liz Sidoti in Washington and Christopher Wills in Clearwater, Fla., contributed to this report. On the Net: McCain: http ...

... asked how they intended to vote. David Espo reported from Washington. AP's Ben Feller contributed from Pueblo, Colo., Nedra Pickler from Chicago, Rodrique Ngowi and Jay Lindsay from Boston and Joan Lowy and Liz Sidoti from Washington.

... Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will pick a replacement. Nedra Pickler reported from Chicago. AP writers Liz Sidoti and Jim Kuhnhenn contributed from Washington and Glen Johnson from Boston.

... Hawaii in December before they move to the White House and to honor his grandmother, who died Sunday at her home there. Liz Sidoti reported from Washington. AP Special Correspondent David Espo and Associated Press writers Jim Kuhnhenn in Washington ...