AFP - Sarah Palin, the Republican candidate for the vice presidency of the US, will drop the ceremonial puck when the Philadelphia Flyers host New York in a National Hockey League game on Saturday.

AP - A federal judge on Wednesday refused another defense request to declare a mistrial in the corruption case against Sen. Ted Stevens, instead deciding he would tell jurors to ignore disputed portions of the government's evidence.

AP - The wiretaps have been played, the cabin photos have been viewed and the last government witness against Sen. Ted Stevens will soon step down. Now prosecutors must persuade the judge not to abort the corruption trial and dismiss charges against the longest serving GOP senator.

AP - It's no coincidence that Barack Obama did his preparation for this week's presidential debate in North Carolina's western mountains. Or that on the day of the debate, Michelle Obama was rallying voters on the state's Atlantic Coast. Or that the Democratic nominee spent the morning after the first presidential debate in the state.

AP - Barack Obama has his William Ayers connection. Now John McCain may have an Iran-Contra connection. In the 1980s, McCain served on the advisory board to the U.S. chapter of an international group linked to ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America.

U.S. News & World Report - Dropping poll numbers, the increase in contested GOP states, and a lack of time to turn around the presidential election are leading to a deep concern among Republicans and inside John McCain's campaign that the Arizona senator won't be able to scratch back against Sen. Barack Obama by Election Day.

Time.com - It may well be impossible for the Republican nominee to achieve in just 90 minutes all that is expected of him

AP - Small details matter to rancher Ed Tinsley, the Republican nominee in the 2nd Congressional District race.

AP - Barack Obama has his William Ayers connection. Now John McCain may have an Iran-Contra connection. In the 1980s, McCain served on the advisory board to the U.S. chapter of an international group linked to ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America.

AP - McCain calls Obama a liar in harshest criticism yet ... Obama says McCain should be more specific about economic crisis ... Palin expands criticism of Obama to include Rev. Wright; tones down description of Ayers ... As deadline nears, one Palin ethics investigation cloaked in secrecy; another beset by lawsuit ... Despite Wyoming's long tradition as a red state, Obama campaign has office and staff

AP - The Republican National Committee filed a complaint Monday alleging that Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign has received illegal contributions from foreigners and donations that exceed federal limits.