Less than a week before the Iowa straw poll, the nine Republican presidential candidates squared off in Des Moines. Candidate views generally mirrored those of the Republican rank-and-file, but were often at odds with the opinions of the general public.

From the Iraq war to illegal immigrants to global warming, states are showing impatience with Washington, D.C., and are blazing new policies often contrary to the feds.

Widespread deployment of broadband and a dramatic promotion push by content providers has helped pave the way for mainstream audiences to adopt online video viewing.

States in the Midwest and Northeast are struggling unsuccessfully to keep educated young people from moving elsewhere. In response, some states have mounted tourism-like marketing campaigns while others consider giving hefty tax breaks to in-state college students who stay after they graduate.