EDITORIAL: U.S. needs federal media shield law

As if there weren't enough reasons to distrust the folks in Washington, the U.S. Department of Justice seized Associated Press phone records. This shows yet again the need for a federal media shield law.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Taiwan’s positive economic role increases

In pursuing current events as in playing cards, evaluating the wider atmosphere is as important as studying the specific hand one has been dealt.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

GUEST COMMENTARY: The Grinch didn't steal Christmas, and other good news

"Nattering nabobs of negativism," is probably the most enduring of the many alliterative announcements of Spiro Agnew, vice president in the Nixon administration until forced to resign because of corruption.

GUEST COMMENTARY: The ordeal of David Petraeus and us

Just-resigned CIA head David Petraeus occupies a crucial crossroads. This does not refer to the global media glare now seeking to dissect every aspect of his private life, in excruciating detail.

OFFBEAT: Actress Joan Allen included in this month's Chicago Film Fest

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Region Medal of Honor recipients remembered as award turns 150

More than four decades ago, East Chicago Marine Lance Cpl. Emilio De La Garza Jr. used his body to absorb the explosion of an enemy grenade in Vietnam, giving his life to save fellow platoon members.

Title IX: Understanding the legislation and what it means

On June 23, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law a piece of legislation introduced by a senator from Indiana.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Wisconsin recall election has regional, national significance

The election defeat of the effort to oust Republican Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin is significant for national politics, in particular the Midwest. Democratic nominee Tom Barrett, Milwaukee's mayor, faced Walker in a replay of their 2010 election contest.

FROM the FARM: Simple cheesecake squares a sure hit for Memorial Day gatherings

Phil Potempa's weekly farm column recipe.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Obama's Wisconsin emphasis reflects national political strategy

"Manufacturing is coming back," declared President Barack Obama at a Master Lock plant in Milwaukee, Wis. Actually, the U.S. remains one of the principal manufacturing powers on the planet, but this trip was designed to help win November elections, not provide an economics lecture.

Rep. Jackson urges Cal City residents to get involved

CALUMET CITY | One of the perks of being the son of famed civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson is having the chance to meet every U.S. president since Richard Nixon.

More isn't necessarily better when it comes to campaign staff

This is the time in the political process when representatives of the candidates say they will expand their organizations all over the country. Expansion, though, can have curious consequences. In the case of the Richard Nixon presidential campaign, of which I was part, the expansion had sev…

Shepard optimistic local government reforms will be implemented

INDIANAPOLIS | Retiring Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard is not dismayed the local government reform plan that bears his name is only partially implemented four years after being released to great fanfare and expectations of immediate change.

MARK KIESLING: Jackson's politics may come back to haunt him

The press once asked it of Richard Nixon, and now I'm asking it of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. What did Jackson know, and when did he know it?

OFFBEAT: Clint Eastwood's 'J. Edgar' offers inside look at FBI's controversial leader

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Lake Central grad featured as dog thief in new film 'First Dog'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Libertarians mark 40th anniversary of Nixon speech that led to party founding

INDIANAPOLIS | Forty years ago today, President Richard Nixon froze all wages and prices for three months and permanently ended the convertibility of dollars to gold to cope with an economic crisis.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Opportunity knocks during federal debt crisis

With a projected fiscal year 2011 deficit of nearly $1.5 trillion and a massive $14.3 trillion national debt, addressing our nation's budget policies is a critical national priority. The need to tackle this crisis quickly brings with it an opportunity to put in place a comprehensive solution…