Barack Obama, Washington D.c. | featured news

In a move that would capitalize on provisions under President Barack Obama's health care law but could cost the federal government millions of dollars, Washington state lawmakers have found a creative way to pass a large chunk of their health care expenses along to Washington, D.C. - and analysts say others are likely to follow suit.

The U.S. Education Department said Tuesday that nine states and the District of Columbia will get money to reform schools in the second round of the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" grant competition.

There will be no tea-dumping in the Potomac River -- that's illegal -- but organizers of the national tea party tax protests say they plan to dump a million tea bags in Lafayette Square today to demonstrate displeasure at government spending and tax policies.

Protesters plan to place the tea bags on tarps and clean up afterward, an organizer said.

The tea, which will be delivered by truck, has been purchased online by people upset over recent government policy, said John Gauger, a spokesman for the grass-roots conservative group Reagan.org.

Frigid temperatures in Washington could pose a danger to more than 1 million people expected to walk and stand outside for hours ...