The Associated Press from The Union Democrat

AP Top News at 6:28 a.m. EST

Ted Stevens' defeat in Alaska marks end of an era

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Sen. Ted Stevens' election defeat marks the end of an era in which he held a commanding place in Alaska politics while wielding power on some of the most influential committees in Congress. It also moves Senate Democrats within two seats of a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority and gives President-elect Barack Obama a stronger hand when he assumes office on Jan. 20.

Big Three automakers running out of time
WASHINGTON (AP) - Detroit's Big Three automakers are running out of time in their quest to convince skeptical lawmakers that Congress should throw them a $25 billion lifeline. Top executives with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler will return to Congress on Wednesday, appearing before a House committee to plead for a "bridge loan" to give them a massive infusion of cash to prevent millions of layoffs, stave off bankruptcy and stabilize their teetering companies.

Will Clinton pardon of tax fugitive haunt Holder?
WASHINGTON (AP) - The first black man elected U.S. president is poised to name Washington lawyer Eric Holder as the nation's first black attorney general - a historic appointment but one with some potential political problems over a 2001 pardon. Holder, 57, met President-elect Barack Obama only four years ago, but the affable Bronx-born son of a Barbados immigrant quickly won a seat in the Democrat's inner circle. If he becomes the next chief U.S. law enforcement officer, Holder will try to win back the public's confidence in the Justice Department - an agency whose fiercely independent image was tarnished by GOP political meddling during the Bush administration.

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Suspected US missile strike kills 6 in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - A suspected U.S. missile strike hit a village deep inside Pakistani territory Wednesday, officials said, killing six alleged militants and indicating American willingness to pursue insurgents beyond Pakistan's lawless tribal regions. The strike was part of a surge of such cross-border attacks in Pakistan's militant-plagued northwest in the last three months. It could heighten Pakistani-U.S. tensions because it was the first to hit an area outside the semiautonomous tribal belt.

Student bonfire blamed for 1 of 3 Calif. wildfires
LOS ANGELES (AP) - With a trio of once-ferocious wildfires reduced to mostly embers, authorities in Southern California shifted their attention from the blazes to their causes, and said a group of careless college kids was behind the first of them. An anonymous tipster led police to discover that a bonfire built by students - and never fully extinguished - was responsible for the massive wildfire in Santa Barbara that destroyed 210 homes, including multimillion-dollar properties, authorities said.

Clinton bumps up against Senate seniority rules
WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton drew about 18 million votes as a presidential candidate. But that doesn't necessarily count for much in the Senate, where seniority rules, and so far not in her favor. In recent weeks, according to Democratic officials, Clinton's allies have maneuvered to secure the New York lawmaker a role more prominent than her seniority entitles her to, in recognition of her historic run for the White House.

Lost tool bag forces changes to planned spacewalks
HOUSTON (AP) - Flight controllers were revamping plans Wednesday for the remaining spacewalks planned during space shuttle Endeavour's visit to the international space station, after a crucial tool bag floated out to space during a repair trip. The briefcase-sized tool bag drifted away from astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper on Tuesday as she cleaned and lubed a gummed-up joint on a wing of solar panels on the space station. She and fellow astronaut Stephen Bowen were midway through the first of four spacewalks planned for the mission. The tool bag was one of the largest items ever lost by a spacewalker.

Doctors transplant windpipe with stem cells
LONDON (AP) - Doctors have given a woman a new windpipe with tissue grown from her own stem cells, eliminating the need for anti-rejection drugs. "This technique has great promise," said Dr. Eric Genden, who did a similar transplant in 2005 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. That operation used both donor and recipient tissue. Only a handful of windpipe, or trachea, transplants have ever been done. If successful, the procedure could become a new standard of treatment, said Genden, who was not involved in the research.

Disney's Cody Linley doesn't make 'Dancing' finals
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Cody Linley won't be graduating "Dancing with the Stars." The 18-year-old "Hannah Montana" actor and his professional partner, Julianne Hough, were eliminated Tuesday from ABC's popular dancing competition. The pair received a total score of 46 out of 60 from judges for their paso doble and salsa routines Monday. After viewer votes were combined with the judges' scores, the Disney actor was dismissed.

LeBron puts on show in Jersey as Cavs rout Nets
Before the Cavaliers' rout of New Jersey, LeBron James said he would not hesitate to leave Cleveland if another franchise offers him a better chance to win multiple NBA titles. After a 106-82 blowout against the Nets, James focused on his team, which has won eight straight and is off to a 9-2 start.