Rebounding from stroke, Kirk challenges GOP on issues

WASHINGTON | Last year U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., used a harness learning to walk again after a stroke that threatened not just his career but his life.

Elected officials should pay for own vacations

Our people are losing jobs and homes, the food prices are out of sight, gas is up. Our president goes to Hawaii once or twice, costing $4 million a trip, then he goes golfing with a professional for three days in Florida, costing the taxpayers $350,000.

A 'lights out' plan to honor fallen soldiers

VALPARAISO | If you hear taps being played at sunset in downtown Valparaiso soon, don't think the city administration expects you to turn out the lights and go to bed.

Top-seeded Hoosiers fall to Syracuse in Sweet 16

WASHINGTON | Nineteen turnovers. Sixteen baskets. A season-low 50 points.

No Florida Gulf Coasts: Top 4 seeds in East Region

WASHINGTON | Yelps of support and echoing applause greeted the voice booming over the loudspeakers Wednesday at the scheduled start of practice for the East Regional's fourth seed: "Coached by Jim Boeheim, please welcome the Syracuse Orange!"

Snapshots of everyday life

Window washer Nathan Welch wipes a Blackbird Cafe window during a foggy winter afternoon in Valparaiso.

Obama: Tough call on letting a son play football

WASHINGTON | President Barack Obama is a big football fan with two daughters, but if he had a son, he says he'd "have to think long and hard" before letting him play because of the physical toll the game takes.

Region residents join March for Life in Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. | Mackenzie Chapman didn’t mind that snow started to fall Friday about an hour after she and 45 of her classmates began walking toward the U.S. Capitol.

Local gun owners rally support for 2nd Amendment rights

A group of gun rights advocates gathers Saturday in front of the Porter County Government Complex in Portage to protest proposed gun control regulations and celebrate National Gun Appreciation Day. "We're using our First Amendment rights," said Tony Smith, of South Haven, who stood along Wil…

Local gun owners rally support for 2nd Amendment rights

Jeff Perez, front, and Tony Smith, both of South Haven, stand along Willowcreek Road in Portage on Saturday afternoon to demonstrate against proposed gun control regulations. The group of local gun owners and hunters gathered Saturday in front of the Porter County Government Complex to prote…

GBK_PCCmrgn, morgan twp vs washington twp girls bball

MORGAN TOWNSHIP Washington Township's Sammie Higgins, left guards Morgan township's Trina Coleman during the first half of the Porter County Conference Basketball Tournament as Morgan Township plays Washington Township Friday night at MTHSl.

YOUNG VOICES: I am excited to join in pro-life march

Soon, I will have the opportunity to enjoy a few days in Washington, D.C., with a group from my school. We will be joining with people all across America in the Right to Life March.

Poll: Fight obesity crisis but keep the junk food

Everyone could use a little help keeping those New Year's resolutions to slim down. But if it means the government limiting junk food, the response is an overwhelming, "No."

San Jose St faces Bowling Green in Military Bowl

WASHINGTON | Maybe they should call it the Transition Bowl.

Rangers add C Pierzynski, say he will be starter

ARLINGTON, Texas | A.J. Pierzynski can joke with Texas manager Ron Washington about last season's All-Star snub now that he's the starting catcher for the Rangers.

Toast a white Christmas with chardonnay and more

Red may be the color of the season — what with Santa's suit and Rudolph's shiny nose — but what if you're dreaming of a white wine Christmas?

Special interest groups rule Congress, White House

The current gridlock in Washington is dangerous economic brinksmanship.

Backyard vintners do it for fun, profit, lifestyle

Growing gapes can be a rewarding pursuit. They're appealing to the eye, pleasing to the palate, a profitable sideline, and a reason for parties and neighborhood togetherness. Small wonder so many vineyards are cropping up in people's yards.

Holiday events: Trees, lighting displays and more

From elaborately decorated trees to drive-through lighting displays to boat parades and train shows, a variety of holiday spectacles are being staged through the end of December and into early January around the country. Here are a few of them.