It could become harder for Republicans such as Mitt Romney to blame President Obama for a lack of jobs. In January, the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since February 2009.

Mitt Romney has three big things going for him in Saturday’s presidential nominating caucuses in Nevada: Momentum from Florida, a splintered tea party, and many fellow Mormons backing him.

Iranian-Americans have long kept a low political profile in America but, as US-Iran tensions escalate, that is changing. They are worried not only about war, but also about possible reprisals against them from Iran.

A strikingly few wealthy donors were the main 2011 contributors to super PACs, which analysts see as the main force behind a flood of negative campaign ads.

President Obama unveiled his plan to cut mortgage payments for 'responsible homeowners' in trouble. But the housing crisis is so massive that no one program can solve it, experts say.

Most Indiana Democrats have stayed away from the opening of the state House session out of protest for a bill they say is harmful to unions. Still, a committee held a hearing on the bill Friday.

The New Hampshire debate Saturday was marked by a conspicuous lack of attacks on front-runner Mitt Romney, even from flamethrower Ron Paul. That Republican debate strategy might not work for Romney's challengers long-term.

Jakadrien Turner's deportation has shined a light on an immigration system in which mistakes can and do happen. Experts worry that the rate of mistaken deportations is on the uptick.

Obama moves to make it easier for some illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, dismantling hurdles set by congressional Republicans. The step is likely to shore up his support among Latino voters, but it could also polarize the country.

Sarah McKinley, an Oklahoma mom who shot and killed a knife-wielding intruder, was cleared of any wrongdoing by prosecutors on Thursday - vindication of the 'castle doctrine,' proponents say.

The national unemployment rate has fallen to 8.5 percent (in December), but the level of teen joblessness has remained high. So, on Thursday, President Obama encouraged the private sector to step up their hiring of young people.

Newt Gingrich - also known as 'Newt Skywalker' - topped the Scientific American ranking of six GOP candidates. Ron Paul came in third.

The new defense strategy rolled out by the Pentagon Thursday centers on military priorities that are, in many cases, dramatically different from the ones that dominated the post-9/11 decade.

With New Hampshire also prosperous and fairly safe for Mr. Romney, the South Carolina and Florida primaries on January 21 and 31 offer him the opportunities to prove he has what it takes to solve the country's problems and score convincing victories.

Michele Bachmann is heading back to Minnesota after a disastrous finish in the Iowa caucuses. Among other reasons for her demise, Ms. Bachmann failed to gain traction with Republican women voters.

For Rick Santorum, a near-tie with Mitt Romney in Iowa shows strength among evangelical conservatives. But New Hampshire is different, and Santorum has just six days to make his mark.

To hear the Ron Paul people tell it, the Iowa caucus results show that their guy is now the chief alternative to Mitt Romney. But Mr. Paul is still running behind Newt Gingrich in national polls.

Mount Rainier evacuation Monday was caused by the shooting death of a park ranger Sunday. The suspected gunman, an Iraq war veteran thought to have survivalist skills, was found dead Monday.

As illegal immigration rates go down and the National Guard's deployment costs rack up, the Obama administration prepares to cut the Guard's presence along the US-Mexico border.

The portion of US adults who are married has hit a record low, barely half, which experts say bodes ill for child-rearing. But many see positives in the latest data and say the institution is not imperiled.