This city did not wait for Washington's health care overhaul. Most uninsured adults here are already reaping the benefits of a government-run health care program ? seeing doctors, filling prescriptions, and getting surgeries they could not otherwise afford.

San Francisco's 'public option' _ a city-run health care program _ informs national debate. This city did not wait for Washington's health care overhaul. Most uninsured adults here are already reaping the benefits of a government-run health care program ? seeing doctors, filling prescriptions, and getting surgeries they could not otherwise afford.

San Francisco's 'public option' - a city-run health care program - informs national debate. This city did not wait for Washington's health care overhaul. Most uninsured adults here are already reaping the benefits of a government-run health care program ? seeing doctors, filling prescriptions, and getting surgeries they could not otherwise afford.

AP answers your questions on the news, from space shuttle complexity to a credit union agency. A space shuttle is no tinker toy. But is it the most complex machine ever built?

A Florida jury has ordered tobacco giant Philip Morris to pay almost 300 million dollars (200 million euros) in damages to a former smoker -- the largest fine ever in such a case, lawyers said.

AP answers your questions on the news, from space shuttle complexity to a credit union agency. A space shuttle is no tinker toy. But is it the most complex machine ever built?

Former Iowa slaughterhouse manager seeks acquittal; judge orders him held until sentencing. A former kosher slaughterhouse manager convicted of financial fraud has asked for an acquittal or new trial, saying prosecutors unfairly brought in evidence of immigration violations.

Today is Monday, November 23, the 327th day of 2009. There are 38 days left in the year.

Dozens of Guantanamo detainees are getting their day in court after years of waiting. In courtrooms barred to the public, dozens of terror suspects are pleading for their freedom from the Guantanamo Bay prison, sometimes even testifying on their own behalf by video from the U.S. naval base in Cuba.

Calif. lawyers reap financial benefits from voting rights law they wrote. Every lawsuit filed or even threatened under a California law aimed at electing more minorities to local offices ? and all of the roughly $4.3 million from settlements so far ? can be traced to just two people: a pair of attorneys who worked together writing the statute, The Associated Press has found.

With Pfizer leaving, residents of Conn. city say fight over waterfront land was unnecessary. After drug giant Pfizer Inc. announced that it was opening a new research center here, city officials aggressively moved to acquire surrounding land for an economic development project ? triggering an epic fight over eminent domain that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and ended with residents being forced from their homes.

After drug giant Pfizer Inc. announced that it was opening a new research center here, city officials aggressively moved to acquire surrounding land for an economic development project ? triggering an epic fight over eminent domain that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and ended with residents being forced from their homes.

CAPITAL CULTURE: Unlike other justices, Sotomayor becomes a celebrity outside the courtroom. Apparently, no one told Sonia Sotomayor that Supreme Court justices are supposed to be circumspect, emerging from their marble palace mainly to dispense legal wisdom to law schools, judges' conferences and lawyers' meetings.

Obama Justice Department opposes Siegelman appeal before Supreme Court. The Obama administration is opposing former Gov. Don Siegelman's appeal of his felony corruption conviction before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that federal prosecutors presented enough evidence to prove bribery.

Same-sex couples say 'no legitimate' reason for excluding them from feds marriage definition. Gay married couples suing the government over a federal law that doesn't recognize same-sex unions say there is "no legitimate or plausible" reason for having a federal definition of marriage that excludes gay couples.

Md. city erects Dred Scott decision plaque to quell rancor over Supreme Court justice's statue. More than 150 years after the U.S. Supreme Court issued the notorious Dred Scott decision affirming slavery, a Maryland city unveiled a plaque Tuesday to educate visitors about the opinion and the local man who wrote it ? and to quell a local controversy.

DC ends neighborhood checkpoint program, won't appeal court ruling finding it unconstitutional. The District of Columbia has decided not to appeal a court ruling that found its police checkpoints in a high-crime neighborhood were unconstitutional.

Former Army counterintelligence worker executed by electric chair for killing Virginia couple. A former Army counterintelligence worker was executed by electric chair Tuesday for killing a Virginia couple, becoming the first U.S. inmate to die by electrocution in over a year.

Black Conn. firefighters object to promotions for white co-workers who won court case. A group of black Connecticut firefighters hopes to block promotions for white firefighters who won a discrimination case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Black Conn. firefighters object to promotions for white co-workers who won court case. A group of black Connecticut firefighters hopes to block promotions for white firefighters who won a discrimination case before the U.S. Supreme Court.