Gay Rights Groups Celebrate Victories in Marriage Push

By ABBY GOODNOUGH

Toby Talbot/Associated Press

Sherry Corbin, left, Beth Robinson and Susan Murray reacting Tuesday as the Vermont legislature approved same-sex marriage.

Gay rights groups say that momentum from back-to-back victories on same-sex marriage in Vermont and Iowa could spill into other states.

Times Topics: Same-Sex Marriage

Lewisburg, Tenn., found interest payments had quadrupled.

Firm Acted as Tutor as It Sold Risky Deals to Towns

By DON VAN NATTA Jr.

Lewisburg, Tenn., like hundreds of small cities, is reeling from reliance on risky bond derivatives that went bad.

Ted Stevens on Tuesday outside the federal courthouse in Washington where his conviction was dismissed, with his daughters, Beth Stevens, left, Lilly Stevens and Susan Covich.

Tables Turned on Prosecution in Stevens Case

By NEIL A. LEWIS

A federal judge dismissed the ethics conviction of former Senator Ted Stevens after naming a special prosecutor to investigate whether the government lawyers should face criminal charges.

Recession Stalls State-Financed Pre-Kindergarten, but Federal Money May Help

By SAM DILLON

At President Obama’s request, Congress has significantly raised federal financing for preschool education.

President Obama greeted military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad on Tuesday.

In Baghdad, Obama Presses Iraqi Leader to Unite Factions

By STEVEN LEE MYERS and HELENE COOPER

President Obama met on Tuesday with American troops and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Oil Giants Loath to Follow Obama’s Green Lead

By JAD MOUAWAD

The Obama administration wants to spend $150 billion to diversify energy sources by encouraging more renewable sources, but oil giants are hanging back.

Times Topics: Oil and Gasoline

Gates’s Cuts to an Array of Weapons Bring a Fight

By ELISABETH BUMILLER and CHRISTOPHER DREW

Military analysts said the biggest lobbying campaigns would be focused on proposed cutbacks in the F-22, as well as trimming of the Army’s $160 billion modernization project.

Before Kevin Johnson became the mayor of Sacramento, his role at a nonprofit led to a sanction.

A Mayor Tries to Undo a Potential Hurdle to U.S. Aid

By JESSE McKINLEY

Kevin Johnson, Sacramento’s mayor, is trying to persuade federal authorities to reverse a sanction against him by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Lost in the Real World, Found via Cyberspace

Big Bondholder in G.M. Sells Most of Its Assets in Company

Trust Is Issue, Pakistan Tells U.S.

Pennsylvania Has First Test Over Access to Records

Immigration Raid at Customs Officer’s Home Leads to Suit

Santa Barbara Reshifts, Now Opposing Drilling

Vandals Strip a Vacant Villa in California

Democrat Extends Lead in Minnesota Senate Race

4 Shot at Korean Retreat in Calif. 2:21 AM ET

Pennsylvania: 911 Operator Didn’t Tell Officers About Guns

West Virginia: Meeting on Blast

Florida: Streaking for a Cause

Arizona: Fake Student Sentenced

Cuba: Fidel Castro Meets With U.S. Lawmakers

Constantine Papadakis, Drexel University President, Dies at 63

Multimedia

Interactive Map: A Growing Detention Network

A map showing facilities where people detained on suspicion of immigration violations are being held.

Interactive Feature: Casualties of the Afghan War

A listing of the 563 American service members who have died in Operation Enduring Freedom. Of those deaths, 510 occurred in Afghanistan or are directly linked to the war. (August 7, 2008)

Interactive Feature: Faces of the Dead

An interactive look at the American service members who have died in Iraq.

A blog examining all facets of college and university admissions, including testing, choosing a school and applying for financial aid.

Go to The Choice »

Mark Levenson, right, a salesman for the Grand Prize dealership in Miami, with a buyer, Jorge Delgado; Mr. Delgado’s wife, Delia; and their daughter, Monica.

Miami Car Dealer Is Upbeat, but Admits Something Has Changed

By DAMIEN CAVE

At Ralph W. Sifford’s dealerships, both the upbeat predictions that kept Detroit from changing and the brand loyalty that gives dealers hope are on full display.

Audio Slide Show: Selling Cars, and Hope, at a Chevy Dealer

For Some Patients With Heart Failure, Light Exercise May Improve Quality of Life

By RONI CARYN RABIN

Heart failure patients, often warned against exertion, saw modest gains on a supervised aerobic exercise program, researchers said.

Health Guide: Heart Failure »

Mayor Herbert A. Gears of Irving, Tex., championed a policy seen as a middle way on immigration.

Texas Mayor Caught in Deportation Furor

By RANDY KENNEDY

Mayor Herbert A. Gears realized his own political future depended on how he navigated the treacherous terrain over immigration.

Memories from the Great Depression seem more relevant today than ever. The New York Times is starting a series of video conversations about that painful past and the uncertain future. Join in at nytimes.com/thenewhardtimes.