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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama plans to spend almost $600 million to build community health centers and to make medical records easier to find. The White House is presenting the plan as a way to add jobs. Full Story »

LONDON -- The World Health Organization is reporting that tobacco use kills at least 5 million people every year. A new study says that number could rise if countries don't take stronger anti-smoking measures. Full Story »

TRENTON, N.J. -- "The Boss" is backing gay marriage in the Garden State. Bruce Springsteen posted a statement on his Web site urging support of the gay marriage bill that's up for a vote in New Jersey's Senate on Thursday. Full Story »

ALBANY -- Nearly $3 million has been awarded to grow 18 clean energy businesses in New York state. Gov. David Paterson announced the grants, saying the funds will strengthen and support the growth of New York's clean energy economy. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- The panel overseeing the financial bailout is offering a mixed assessment of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The watchdog panel says the $700 billion helped prevent an all-out panic last fall. Full Story »

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The storm that has left a left a blanket of mud, ice and snow across much of the nation is blamed for at least five deaths. It has hammered more than a dozen states with a wintry mix and vicious winds that are threatening to create big snow drifts in parts of the Upper Midwest. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- A steady flow of new immigrants is giving a population boost to cities that had been seeing serious declines, including Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- The government has posted an internal guide to its airport passenger screening procedures on the Internet. The mistake offers insight into how to sidestep security. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says liberal and moderate Democrats have reached a "broad agreement" on whether to include a government-run insurance option in the health care overhaul bill. Full Story »

UPDATED 5:34 a.m.: Dozens of school districts around the region are closed or delayed in the wake of this morning's snowstorm. Full Story »

BOSTON -- State Sen. Scott Brown has won the Republican nomination in the race to succeed the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. Brown defeated businessman and attorney Jack E. Robinson in a primary marked by low turnout. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- Democratic senators say they have a tentative deal to drop a government-run insurance option from health care legislation. No further details were immediately available. Full Story »

The Schenectady Salvation Army said in a statement on Tuesday night that their kettle donations are down 21 percent this year compared to donations during the same time in 2008. Full Story »

Troy Mayor Harry Tutunkjian vetoed the city's budget resolution on Tuesday, calling it "structurally unbalanced" in a statement released Tuesday evening. Full Story »

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Google is testing a new service that packages stories from The New York Times and The Washington Post to make it easier for readers to follow evolving news stories. Full Story »

The man who replaced Joseph Bruno in the Senate said Tuesday that his predecessor’s conviction was “unfortunate” and “difficult to watch.” However, Roy McDonald (R – Saratoga) declined to speculate as to whether Bruno’s felony convictions will tarnish his legacy. Full Story »

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York's Senate and Assembly say they are making a priority of tightening ethics rules, as a review of rules now in place shows they're too weak to prevent lawmakers from using state employees, time and resources on private ventures. Full Story »

It's become a holiday tradition in the Capital Region, the Hannaford Capital Holiday Lights display at Albany's Washington Park. For many, the season just wouldn't be the same without the twinkling testament to the most wonderful time of the year. Full Story »

A black male suspect in black clothing fired two shots at a victim with whom he argued next to Brighter Choice School on North Lake Avenue on Monday afternoon. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. prison population edged up slightly last year, though the number of total inmates dropped in 20 states, including New York, Georgia and Michigan. Full Story »

Albany Police arrested a North Pearl Street man shortly after he robbed Sham Grocery on Central Avenue on Monday evening. Alvin Ferguson, 59, allegedly took $6 out of a victim's hand and pushed her after she tried to fight back, according to a statement released by Albany Police on Tuesday. Full Story »

Former State Senator Joe Bruno's conviction Monday in Federal District Court of using the power of his office for personal gain produced an array of reaction on the streets of the Capitol District Tuesday. Full Story »

Police say they found a missing Washington County woman bound and gagged in a motel room in Cayuga County in central New York, and are now looking for a man for questioning in the incident. Full Story »

LATHAM -- Joseph Bruno, convicted Monday on two counts of federal corruption, has resigned his CEO position at CMA Consulting Services in Latham, the firm has announced. Full Story »

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- It might be time to let the air out of Santa. Meteorologists worried about a fast-approaching winter storm cautioned homeowners Tuesday to ensure their holiday decorations are properly tied down. Full Story »