Loophole frees mentally ill youth offenders

Recent slaying cases highlight the complexities of a 1997 law meant to keep mentally ill juveniles from being held in detention centers where they can't get proper treatment.

East Coast returns to work — slowly

Dems’ health bill passes key Senate vote

Senate Democrats won a crucial vote on President Obama's health care overhaul, putting them on track for passage before Christmas of legislation to remake the medical system.

Who wins, who loses in Senate health bill

Economists: We don't need more stimulus

The U.S. economy doesn't need another round of government stimulus spending to stay afloat in 2010, according economists surveyed in msnbc.com’s year-end roundtable.

Stock futures hint at slightly higher open

Rosenthal: Sunday’s super finishes also key to playoff races

Rosenthal: For one glorious moment Sunday, the Steelers were transported back to last year’s Super Bowl, when receivers’ toes magically dragged through the end zone, and no amount of fourth quarter wackiness could stop Ben Roethlisberger from delivering a perfect strike. Big Ben’s last second toss to Mike Wallace was just one of three fantastic finishes Sunday afternoon. Here’s a quick look at the lasting impact of each.

Panthers put chill on Vikings’ NFC North title

Scoop: Friends ‘really worried’ about Murphy

While there are speculative rumors of the usual Hollywood abuse beginning to circulate, what many people who knew the actress noticed most was her recent severe weight loss.

Murphy may have died of natural causes

Ideal beauty a matter of millimeters, study says

Researchers  claim they’ve discovered the ideal alignment of female facial features, measurements that explain why one woman is perceived as attractive and the other, well, isn’t.

Sleep like a baby — and wake up feeling younger

Lavish gadgets for those with rich taste

Is there a technophile on your list with tastes that run a little rich? You may want to consider custom-made PCs starting at $8,000 or an uber-chic cordless phone for $1,100.

Terrific tech gifts for $200 or less

Licking the language barrier

Travelers are boldly traveling where they’ve never traveled before, free from the burden of guidebooks, brochures and fold-out maps that shout “tourist” (and “pick my pocket”).

JetBlue to waive fees because of looming storm