Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown shakes hands with Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren at their debate in Lowell, Mass., on Oct. 1. The race is one of a handful of contests that could determine party control of the Senate. Charles Krupa/AP i Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown shakes hands with Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren at their debate in

Around the country, voters not only elected candidates Tuesday but voted to approve or reject laws themselves, grappling with some 175 ballot measures that addressed gay marriage, taxes and racist language, as well as many other issues. In addition, voters considered whether to overturn a dozen laws that had already won approval from their legislatures

Polls in the three largest battleground states — Florida, Virginia and Ohio — have closed, but it will be some time before the results are known. NPR has called other states, and no surprises here: President Obama has won Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Illinois, Maine, Maryland and Rhode Island. Gov. Romney has won

California Gov. Jerry Brown appears at a rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Reed Saxon/AP i California Gov. Jerry Brown appears at a rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Reed Saxon/AP This morning a shadowy Arizona group decided to disclose where $11 million in political contributions came from. The money was used to

Long Beach, N.Y.: Volunteers unloaded water at an aid distribution center on Sunday. John Moore/Getty Images i Long Beach, N.Y.: Volunteers unloaded water at an aid distribution center on Sunday. John Moore/Getty Images NPR librarians continue to help us keep track of the recovery from Superstorm Sandy and the deadly toll from the storm that

Enlarge Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images A Syrian rebel fighter takes aim at government forces, from an apartment in the northern city of Aleppo on Saturday, Nov. 3. While the fighting rages, the Syrian opposition is holding talks in Qatar in an attempt to create new, more unified front. The U.S. announced last week that it favors

Electorate by Scott Montgomery Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney poses with children during a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images i Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney poses with children during a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ‘); } }, onPlay: function() { if ($(“#jwPlayer164274620_wrapper

On Tuesday, Mia Love could become the first black Republican woman elected to Congress. Here, she speaks at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Aug. 28. Win McNamee/Getty Images i On Tuesday, Mia Love could become the first black Republican woman elected to Congress. Here, she speaks at the Republican National Convention in

Here’s what’s happening today in the New York-New Jersey area, nearly a week after Superstorm Sandy devastated the region: — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said tens of thousands of people whose houses were damaged by the storm will need other places to live because of the falling temperatures. — Cuomo also said he expects

Parts of New York were also suffering fuel shortages, including Staten Island, where long lines for gas were seen on Friday. John Moore/Getty Images i Parts of New York were also suffering fuel shortages, including Staten Island, where long lines for gas were seen on Friday. John Moore/Getty Images Update at 2:30 p.m. ET: After

With the imminent presidential election casting a spotlight on every move made by the candidates, the president’s weekly address was released as usual early Saturday morning. Challenger Mitt Romney’s official GOP response, however, took a little longer than is typical to surface. Rick Klein at ABC noted it on Twitter this way: odd campaign blip

Before hitting the campaign trail Saturday, President Barack Obama attended a briefing on Hurricane Sandy relief efforts with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) headquarters in Washington, D.C. Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images i Before hitting the campaign trail Saturday, President Barack Obama attended a briefing on Hurricane Sandy relief efforts