Topic: USA TODAY

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The 25 best country songs of all time (+video)

Check out Country Music Television's rankings of the best country music songs ever released.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 6 ways they differ on health-care reform

Former Gov. Mitt Romney has taken a libertarian turn since championing health-care reforms in Massachusetts, including an individual mandate to purchase insurance, which became the model for President Obama's signature law. Here’s a list of areas where the candidates differ.
Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
Bullish on jobs? These 10 cities are.

Our list of the 10 metro areas that saw the most job growth in 2011 might surprise you.
What Wisconsin says about labor unions' clout in America

All Content

Boy Scouts' historic vote on gays: lobbying right up to the end (+video)

However the Boy Scouts of America members from around the country vote Thursday in Texas on allowing gay scouts, the iconic 103-year-old boys' organization is at a crossroads.
Google Glass: An early look at Google's next-gen spectacles

Google Glass likely won't arrive until 2014. But tester units of Google's portable hardware are already making the rounds among a specially-selected crowd.
Federal deficit falling fast: Is that a good thing ... or a bad thing?

New estimates show the US federal budget deficit falling faster than forecast. To some, that's a sign that fiscal policy is becoming too austere, valuing quick cuts over more-needed reforms.
Burger King McRib? Watch out, McDonald's.

Burger King’s new rib sandwich won’t be called the McRib, for obvious reasons. But with a national rollout of its own 'McRib' looming, Burger King is taking pointed aim at the McDonald’s cult favorite.
$900,000 per inmate: World's most expensive prison (+video)

$900,000 per inmate makes Guantanamo Bay the world's most expensive prison. That's 13 times the cost of a super max inmate. Is $900,000 per inmate worth it to US taxpayers?
Why Justice Department appeal on morning-after pill is ironic

In 2011, the Health and Human Services secretary overruled the FDA on its determination that there should be no age restrictions on buying morning-after pills. Now Justice is saying that FDA should be setting the rules, not a federal judge.
USA Update Sunil Tripathi body found; Brown student was misidentified in Boston bombing

Based on photos from the Boston Marathon bombing, social media postings suggested Brown student Sunil Tripathi might be the suspect. Reddit apologized for the 'dangerous speculation.'
USA Update Why TSA delayed its new rules allowing knives on airplanes

Pressure from flight attendants and members of Congress prompts the Transportation Security Administration to delay new rules that would have let passengers carry small knives and some sporting equipment onto airplanes.
Enough media attention for Dr. Kermit Gosnell murder trial?

The trial of abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell offers the latest example of the power of social media to draw attention to an issue and drive coverage. Conservative bloggers claim that mainstream news sources were ignoring the case.
Trayvon Martin targets: Fired cop fires back, saying it's a conspiracy (+video)

Trayvon Martin targets were not for target practice but were a 'no-shoot training tool,' says the Florida cop who was fired Friday for showing them to colleagues.
Focus Tax reform: Why a kinder, simpler tax code eludes Congress, so far

As Tax Day nears, Americans in the throes of preparing their returns may be dreaming of a simpler tax code. Here's why tax reform is such a tall order for Congress – and how two lawmakers are laying the groundwork for it now.
FBI at Petraeus home: Why FBI is grilling the ex-CIA chief

FBI at Petraeus home: FBI agents visited David Petraeus at his Virginia home as part of an investigation into Paula Broadwell's handling of classified information, according to USA Today.
USA Update Dreamliner completes crucial test flight. How big a deal?

The FAA still needs to approve the results of the test flight and certify the battery system. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has been grounded since mid-January because of smoldering batteries.
Volleyball-sized fireball streaks across East Coast sky (+video)

NASA confirms that a fireball, as bright as a full moon, was seen from Florida to New England. The Friday night meteor was probably a small "boulder" that entered the Earth's atmosphere.
The 25 best country songs of all time (+video)

Check out Country Music Television's rankings of the best country music songs ever released.
Fight over cellphone unlocking pulls in FCC: report

The cell phone unlocking ban, which went into effect last month, has drawn the ire of activists.
Why Obama is on top in 'sequester' battle, but could lose long-term (+video)

President Obama is working hard to clarify how sequester spending cuts will hit Americans. But many don't understand what's happening and ultimately will look to Obama for solutions.
Sequester and public opinion? Advantage Obama. (+video)

With just days until the 'sequester' and its automatic spending cuts kicks in, President Obama seems to have the advantage with high poll ratings and a message seen as more compelling.
Immigration reform: White House drafts 'backup plan'

Though both Democrats and Republican have assured the Obama administration it won't be necessary, the White House has put together its own immigration plan, in case bipartisan talk of immigration overhaul breaks down.
Behind the maneuvering over immigration, both parties look for advantage

The White House has floated a plan that would allow illegal immigrants to become permanent residents of the United States, putting them on a path to eventual citizenship. Republicans aren't happy, but they're under pressure to back comprehensive immigration reform.
Vox News From political 'House of Colbert', a South Carolina candidate called Lulu

Elizabeth Colbert Busch, also known as 'Lulu,' is running to fill a vacated South Carolina congressional seat. Does it help that her little brother is Stephen Colbert?
Why Washington and its debt woes eclipse 'jobs' as public's top concerns

The mood shift, which showed up in a new Gallup poll, doesn't coincide with marked improvement in the jobs outlook. Rather, it indicates that Americans are becoming more worried about Washington's management of debt and other fiscal matters.
Lance Armstrong to admit doping to Oprah

Cyclist Lance Armstrong will reportedly admit to using performance-enhancing drugs in an upcoming interview with Oprah Winfrey. Despite repeatedly denying accusations of doping in the past, Armstrong has said he will answer questions honestly and candidly.
MLB, players take lead on drug testing. Will NFL players follow?

Major League Baseball announced an agreement with the players' union to start in-season random drug testing, including for human growth hormone. NFL players have delayed implementation of a 2011 agreement.
Change Agent The 'gift economy' offers a rule-breaking way to relate to others (+video)

What’s better than turning a profit by selling your work? Filmmakers, cafe owners, and even corporations like Panera Bread point to the satisfaction that comes with giving it away.