PASADENA, Calif. - Former CBS anchor Dan Rather said Tuesday he will be the ultimate authority on a weekly news program he'll begin in October on HDNet for owner Mark Cuban, promising "independent journalism."

Did you catch The Rev. Jesse Jackson the other night on CNN demanding a Senate hearing into why regulators never cracked down on that gruesome abortion clinic in Philadelphia?

It has been over three years since the horrific terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. After the initial shock, creation of the Homeland Security Department and attention on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Congress has approved an overhaul of the nation’s intelligence apparatus.

WASHINGTON - The battle over Wal-Mart Stores has long been waged in towns and cities, with opponents using zoning ordinances and referendums to block the big-box retailer from their neighborhoods. Now the two sides are taking their fight straight to Washington.

“Where is the Democratic Party in Arizona? Why hasn’t it started a recall for Governor Brewer? Her actions in regard to the redistricting commission seem to border on criminal. Why don’t we hear a peep from the Democrats?”

The Butcher of Broadway. It’s a moniker that will forever follow Frank Rich — one he earned in his 13 years as a theater critic for The New York Times.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, Belgium - Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer offered a glimmer of hope on Thursday to fans of the company's Windows XP operating system, saying the company may reconsider its decision to stop selling it soon.

“Regarding the article in the paper (Friday) about autism rate growth while Arizona sees slight rise, my child is one of those children. Come walk a day in my shoes, and everyone would be appalled and would be out doing something about it.”

“The difference between J.D. Hayworth and Al Gore is Gore didn’t concede because he didn’t like the results. Hayworth is not conceding because the votes are not yet counted.”

WASHINGTON — Big Bird is endangered. Jim Lehrer lost control. And Mitt Romney crushed President Barack Obama.

“The Arizona government department that brings in revenue just cut its work force in half. So, now all the money waiting to be collected from several years past will just be lost.

“I don’t want Andy Thomas to lose his livelihood. Having studied at the knee of Sheriff Arpaio perhaps he can assist Republican vice-presidential candidate Allen West in ferreting out those 81 card-carrying communists.”

Earlier this summer, when Anthony Weiner's, tragically-, hilariously- and eponymously-named member was waving around in the media, I was watching a news show featuring his rise and fall, so to speak, with my son.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

Q. I’m a 46-year old female manager with high job stress. I’m waking up at night sweating and can’t get back to sleep. I also find myself intolerant of situations I formerly put up with and blurting out what I really think. Is stress making me lose my easy-going manner? Help!

Not often does a pitcher throw seven shutout innings to win and get his next start skipped, but — with two off days for the Diamondbacks in the next week — that is what’s happening to Elmer Dessens.

Other than the Chicago White Sox, who got a jump on trade season with Tuesday's two deals, teams have 3 1/2 weeks to decide how to tinker.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea acknowledged Tuesday it had detained an American for illegally entering the reclusive country, news welcomed by relatives of an Arizona missionary who feared they would never hear from him again after he sneaked across the border.

Once upon a time, back when Mel Kiper Jr. was a mere twinkle in his father's eye, a scout for the Detroit Lions approached the then-Chicago Cardinals with an unusual request. The scout was looking for names of players - any players - to select in the closing rounds of a draft in the 1950s.

Once upon a time, back when Mel Kiper Jr. was a mere twinkle in his father's eye, a scout for the Detroit Lions approached the then-Chicago Cardinals with an unusual request. The scout was looking for names of players - any players - to select in the closing rounds of a draft in the 1950s.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Once he decided to fire Willie Randolph, New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya caught a flight to the West Coast, went to the team hotel and waited to deliver the news in person.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.