Jan. 31: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Thomas Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reports on Mitt Romney's prospects on Super Tuesday; and Herb Jackson in the Bergen Record reports on John Edwards and Rudy Giuliani dropping out of the race.

LOCAL RACES: Josh Drobnyk in the Allentown Morning Call reports that the mayor of Hazelton, Pa., will run for Congress.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS: Faith Bremner in the Argus Leader reports on the response of South Dakota senators to possible additions to the stimulus package; Noelle Straub in the Missoulian and Bruce Alpert in the Times-Picayune report on the economic stimulus package passed out of the Senate Finance Committee; Craig Gilbert in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports on the upcoming Wisconsin primary; Maureen Groppe for Gannett reports on a Michigan lawmaker's views on the stimulus package; and Lisa Mascaro in the Las Vegas Sun reports that a proposal by Sen. Jonn Ensign to include corporate tax breaks in the stimulus package died in committee.

BILLS, HEARINGS AND MARK-UPS: Larry Lipman for Cox News Service reports on a Senate hearing on private fee-for-service Medicare plans; Aaron Sadler for Stephens Media reports on U.S. Senate passage of wiretapping legislaton; and Raju Chebium for Gannett reports that Sen. Frank Lautenberg has introduced new gun control legislaton.

APPOINTMENTS & SPEECHES.: Faith Bremner in the Great Falls Tribune reports that Rep. Dennis Rehberg, R-Mont., is back on a water appropriations subcommittee; Sylvia Smith in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports that Sen. Richard Lugar is urging the Bush administration to extend an international arms agreement; and Maureen Groppe in the Indianapolis Star reports that Sen. Richard Lugar is leading a Republican effort to reccomend changes to congressional earmarks.

Jan. 30: Regionals in Today's News

Sorry for yesterday's absence, guys -- the Google news alerts had a little bit of a burp.!

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - FLORIDA AND BEYOND:Suzanne Struglinski in the Deseret Morning News, and Wes Allison and Jennifer Liberto in the St. Petersburg Times, reports on McCain's win in Florida; Lesley Clark for McClatchy reports on Clinton's win; Josh Drobnyk in the Allentown Morning Call reports on Giuliani's plunge; Bill Adair in the St. Petersburg Times looks ahead to Super Tuesday; Thomas Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reports that Obama has canceled his Utah trip out of respect for funeral services of the LDS Church President.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS: Sylvia Smith in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and Raju Chebium for Gannett report on Tuesday's House passage of the $150 billion stimulus package; Lisa Friedman in the Los Angeles Daily News examines Southern California's rebate take and whether it will help; Sean Reilly in the Mobile Register reports on changes to Medicaid funding the Senate may make; Larry Lipman in the Austin American Statesman reports the Senate may make Social Security beneficiaries eligible for rebates; and Bill Theobold for Gannett reports on a member of the Tennessee delegation who voted against the package.

YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Steve Tetreault for Stephens Media reports that the Nevada delegation will try to boost tech jobs in the state to make up for Yucca Mountain job losses.

TROOPS: Leo Shane III in Stars and Stripes reports on a Tennessee teen who collects CDs and DVDs for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And from Tuesday....

STATE OF THE UNION: Brett Lieberman in the Patriot-News reports on lawmakers who save aisle seats for themselves during the address; Bartholomew Sullivan in the Commercial Appeal reports that Rep. Steve Cohen convinced President Bush to sign a Tigers cap before the address; and Nicole Guadiano reports in the Wilmington News Journal that Sen. Joe Biden may be out of the presidential race but everyone wants to sit next to him in homeroom. I mean, at the State of the Union address.

OTHER DELEGATION REACT STORIES:

• Ellyn Ferguson for Gannett

• Gerard Shields in the Baton Rouge Advocate

• Edward Felker in the Rochester Post Bulletin

• Keith Chu in the Bend Bulletin

• Bruce Alpert in the Times-Picayune

Jan. 28: Regionals in the Weekend News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Thomas Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reports on Mitt Romney and President Bush's reaction to the death of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinkley; Burr also sets the stage for Tuesday's Florida primary; William Gibson in the Sun-Sentinel previews Tuesday's Florida primary for Republicans; Suzanne Struglinski reports in the Deseret Morning News that religion could play less of a role in Florida's primary than in other states; Struglinski also reports that McCain and Romney are intensifying their fight as Florida looms.

SOTU PREVIEW: Maureen Groppe in the Indianapolis Star reports on two Indian residents who will be among First Lady Laura Bush's guests tonight; Joseph Morton advances Bush's speech in the Omaha World-Herald; and Lisa Friedman in the Los Angeles Daily News reports on State of the Union drinking games.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS: Aaron Sadler reports for Stephens Media that Arkansas lawmakers are backing the economic stimulus package; and Noelle Straub reports in the Helena Independent reports that rebate checks won't go out until summer.

IRAQ: Lisa Mascaro in the Las Vegas Sun reports on the future of Iraq and what will be in store for the next president.

AIRLINE POLITICS: Malia Rulon in the Cincinnati Enquirer reports on congressional reaction to the possible merger of Delta and Northwest airlines.

DIGITAL TV POLITICS: Faith Bremner reports in the Argus Leader on the impact of digital upgrade on South Dakota's rural and elderly.

Jan. 25: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Thomas Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reports on unprecedented attention on Utah from both Republican and Democrat candidates; and Suzanne Struglinski in the Deseret News reports that Mitt Romney is still defending his Mormon faith.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS: Steve Tetreault in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Sen. John Ensign wants to add to the package tax breaks for corporations whose overseas profits are reinvested in the U.S.; Faith Bremner in the Argus Leader reports on South Dakota reaction to the stimulus plan; and Bruce Alpert in the Times-Picayune reports on the impact for Louisiana residents.

BILLS, HEARINGS AND MARK-UPS: Tony Batt in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports on a Senate hearing into the 1987 mining law; Herb Jackson in the Bergen Record reports on New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez attacking Bush for opposing curbs on greenhouse gas emissions; and Lisa Friedman in the Los Angeles Daily News and Josh Drobnyk in the Allentown Morning Call report on a Senate Environment and Public Works inquiry into the EPA's decision to block a California emissions law.

STUDIES AND REPORTS: Raju Chebium for Gannett reports on endowment increases at New Jersey universities, cited in a new study by the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

IMMIGRATION: Sean Reilly in the Mobile Register reports that Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions wants presidential candidates to pledge completion of the border fence and other measures.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: Noelle Straub reports in the Casper Star Tribune that Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. was not chosen to sit on teh Senate Finance Committee.

Jan. 24: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: William Gibson, Mark Hollis and Andrew Tran in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel preview tonight's Republican debate in Florida; Larry Lipman blogs for the Palm Beach Post that onetime presidential hopeful Rep. Duncan Hunter is endorsing Mike Huckabee; and Thomas Burr reports in the Salt Lake Tribune that Obama is starting to air television ads in Utah.

IMPEACHMENT: Sabrina Eaton blogs for the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Dennis Kucinich's announcement that he will introduce articles of impeachment against Bush on the day of State of the Union Address.

MEDICAID: Lisa Friedman reports in the Los Angeles Daily News on new Medicaid rules that could cost school districts across the country $635 million annually.

ECONOMY: Raju Chebium for Gannett reports on the New Jersey delegation's economic stimulus ideas; meanwhile, Herb Jackson in the Bergen Record reports on corporate tax cuts sought by one N.J. lawmaker as a solution to the economic turn down.

BUDGET: Steve Tetreault in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Senate Leader Harry Reid is trying to find new employment for Yucca Mountain workers after helping to enact the budget slashing that cost them them their jobs.

MAYORS CONFERNECE: Brett Lieberman blogs for PennLive.com on President Bush's Wednesday free trade round table discussion with mayors, including Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed; and Suzanne Struglinski in the Deseret Morning News reports on the week's agenda for Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.

SCHIP: Matt Canham in the Salt Lake Tribune and Faith Bremner in the Argus Leader report on Democrats' failure again to pass a major expansion of the children's health insurance program.

HEARINGS, BILLS AND MARK-UPS: Ellyn Ferguson in the Appleton Post-Crescent reports on a hearing to examine pollution in the Great Lakes.

Jan. 23: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Adam Sadler for Stephens Media reports on Mike Huckabee's new personal phone campaign; Lesley Clark in the Miami Herald reports that candidates' money is running out as the all-important Florida primary approaches; Josh Drobnyk in the Allentown Morning Call blogs on Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's endorsement of Hillary Clinton; Larry Lipman in the Palm Beach Post reports that a Florida lawmaker is pressuring candidates to take a stand on the creation of a national catastrophe fund; Bill Theobold in the Jackson Sun reports on Fred Thompson dropping out of the race; and Jerry Zremski in the Buffalo News reports on the candidates' plans for stimulating the economy.

ABORTION POLITICS: Josh Drobnyk in the Allentown Morning Call and Jerry Zremski in the Buffalo News report on Tuesday's anti-abortion rally.

BILLS, HEARINGS AND MARK-UPS: Faith Bremner reports in the Great Falls Tribune on Indian health legislation opposed by the Bush administration.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS: Steve Tetreault in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that wind, solar and geothermal execs are lobbying to include tax breaks for their industries in an economic stimulus package; Noelle Straub in the Missoulian reports on Tuesday's Senate Finance Committee hearing examining the White House's $800 tax rebate plan; and Joseph Morton in the Omaha World-Herald reports on local lawmakers' response to economic stimulus proposals.

APPOINTMENETS AND NOMINATIONS: Alicia Mundy reports in the Seattle Times that Washington state Republican Rep. Dave Reichert is angling for a seat on the House Appropriations Committee; and Bartholomew Sullivan reports in the Commercial Appeal on a Memphis woman named ambassador to Egypt.

IRAQ: Sen. Bob Menendez, back from Iraq, says the troop surge has not led to progress, Raju Chebium reports for Gannett.

JEFFERSON TRIAL: Bruce Alpert in the Times-Picayune reports that defense attorneys for Rep. William Jefferson, indicted on corruption charges, introduced cell phone photos as evidence the lawmaker was not taking phone calls while being questioned by the FBI.

Bright of the day:

Lisa Mascaro in the Las Vegas Sun blogs on Sen. Harry Reid's floor speech about seeing a bobcat out his window while back in Searchlight, Nev. during the recess.

Jan. 22: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Josh Drobnyk profiles Amber Lee Ettinger - aka Obama Girl - of Hazleton, Pa., in today's Allentown Morning Call; and Craig Gilbert writes on the undercurrents of race in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Jan. 21: Regionals in the Weekend News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Malia Rulon in the Cincinnati Enquirer explores whether Ohio's influence in presidential elections is shrinking; Raju Chebium for Gannett explains the presidential nominating process; Wes Allison previews the Florida primary in the St. Petersburg Times; Sabrina Eaton blogs on Cleveland.com that Dennis Kucinich has filed an FCC complaint after failing to qualify for the Democratic debates in South Carolina tonight; and Bill Theobold in the Tennessean reports that Fred Thompson hints at pulling out of the race.

LOCAL RACES: Edward Felker in the Rochester Bulletin reports on a Minnesota lawmaker and his challenger swearing off pork.

STIMULUS PACKAGE: Brett Lieberman in the Patriot News reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers back the proposed stimulus package; and Faith Bremner reports on response from South Dakota lawmakers in the Argus Leader.

PILL POLITICS: Rob Hotakainen reports for McClatchy on a legislative snafu that caused birth control prices to skyrocket, and the ensuing impact on university students.

VOTING RECORDS: Maureen Groppe reports in the Lafayette Journal & Courier that area lawmakers crossed party lines more than their colleagues in 2007. Wisconsin lawmakers, meanwhile, tend to vote the party line, Ellyn Ferguson reports in the Appleton Post-Crescent.

HOUSING: Joseph Morton in the Omaha World-Herald reports on the impact last week's House vote to reauthorize and expand the HOPE VI housing grant program could have on Omaha.

PROFILES: Lisa Friedman in the Los Angeles Daily News reports that local Rep. Howard Berman will be the next chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Jan. 18: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Celebrities stump for Mike Huckabee, Aaron Sadler reports for Stephens Media; Sadler also reports on Huckabee's statement in South Carolina that flying the Confederate flag should be up to the state to decide; and William Gibson in the Sun-Sentinel reports that John McCain and Hillary Clinton are leading in Florida according to a statewide poll.

LOCAL RACES: Noelle Straub reports in the Billings Gazette on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's first slate of candidates eligible for special funding this election, including Wyoming Democrat Gary Trauner; Bill Adair and Wes Allison in the St. Petersburg Times report that Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., will seek a 20th term in Congress; Lesley Clark in the Miami Herald reports on a New Jersey Democrat who wants to offer cash bonuses to counties and states that switch to paper ballots by the November election.

ECONOMY: Bruce Alpert reports in the Times-Picayune that Louisiana lawmakers hope any economic stimulus proposals provide more relief for hurricane recovery needs.

FIGHTER JETS: Jim Myers in the Tulsa World reports that Sen. Jim Inhofe is pushing to include the new Joint Strike Fighter with Tulsa's 138th Fighter Wing.

HEARINGS, BILLS AND MARK-UPS: Ellyn Ferguson in the Green Bay Press Gazette reports on a hearing to explore private care for rural veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who live far from VA facilities; and Matt Canham reports in the Salt Lake Tribune that Utah Republican Sen. Bob Bennett supports a gas-tax hike to pay for federal infrastructure improvements.

IMMIGRATION: Deborah Barfield Berry reports for Gannett that more than a dozen states are considering forcing would-be voters to show proof of citizenship when they register.

Getting Ready for the State of the Union Address

The President’s State of the Union Address (aka SOTU by POTUS) is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 28. The House Press Gallery is taking requests for reserved seats within the House press gallery (202) 225-3945.

A change this year is that you must have a Congressional hard pass to get a reserve seat (this is the “green badge” most of us have anyway). If for some reason you do not have a pass, call the gallery and they will tell you what to do. You will not be able to cover the speech with just a press sticker.

For the uninitiated, during the speech, you can listen to the president deliver it live from the gallery (you also get a print copy to follow along). Just before it ends the gallery staff will escort you down to Statuary Hall where you can arrange to meet with members of your delegation or attempt to grab whoever you want as the members walk out.

Personally, while I have gone to the Capitol the night of the speech several times (and it is a unique experience)…I am now just as happy watching it on TV at home and getting members’ reactions via phone. Some of my members don’t even go to watch it in person so if they aren’t going to go, I’m not going (granted the fact I now live in the far flung suburbs versus Capitol Hill might have something to do with it.) I am curious to hear how others do it.

Another tip, is that if you plan on filing from the Capitol, make sure you laptop connection works BEFORE the day of the speech. I had a new laptop two years ago that was supposed to work fine, but of course on deadline it didn’t and I ended up racing home to file at the last minute, which included a speeding ticket.

---Suzanne Struglinski

Jan. 17: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Raju Chebium for Gannett explains the primary process in a Q&A; and Bill Theobold in the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle accuses Mitt Romney of pandering in Michigan.

FEMA: Jim Myers in the Tulsa World reports that Rep. John Sullivan is appealing FEMA's denial of individual assistance to ice storm victims, but wants to keep a close eye on the process.

IRAQ: Bartholomew Sullivan in the Commercial Appeal reports on recent trips to Iraq by Tennessee Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Lincoln Davis. The Republican and Democrat lawmakers returned with different impressions or progress in the country; and Edward Felker in the Rochester Post-Bulletin reports that Rep. Tim Walz returned from Iraq intent on improving medical records for troops.

BILLS, HEARINGS AND REPORTS: Lisa Friedman in the Los Angeles Daily News reports on legislation aimed at revamping a social security law that hurts public employees; and Herb Jackson in the Bergen Record reports that House and Senate Judiciary committee chairmen have asked the GAO to study the use of no-bid contracts.

DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION: Herb Jackson in the Bergen Record reports on a compromise between Congress and the White House that shields Iraq from a provision allowing victims of state-sponsored terrorism to seek compensation.

MINE SAFETY: Matt Canham in the Salt Lake Tribune and Suzanne Struglinski in the Deseret Morning News report on mine-safety legislation the House passed Wednesday.

Jan. 16: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Mitt wins, reports Thomas Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune; Lesley Clark and Beth Reinhard report in the Miami Herald on the mad scramble to Florida; and Jerry Zremski in the Buffalo News report on Clinton and Obama burying the race debate.

IMPEACHMENT CAMPAIGN: Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., continues to push impeachment hearings against Vice President Dick Cheney, Larry Lipman reports in the Palm Beach Post.

MINE BILL: Matt Canham in the Salt Lake Tribune reports on the controversy over Crandall CAnyon mine disaster-inspired safety legislation up for a vote today in the U.S. House.

SPORTS POLITICS: Sylvia Smith in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports on Tuesday's House hearing on steroids use in Major League Baseball; and Ellyn Ferguson in the Appleton Post Crescent reports on a bet between Wisconsin and New York lawmakers over the playoffs.

PARTY LOYALTY: Ellyn Ferguson reports in the Green Bay Press Gazette on a CQ study that ound Wisconsin lawmakers generally backed thier party last year.

Jan. 15: Regionals in Today's News

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Mitt Romney says he's gonna win today's Michigan primary, Tommy Burr reports in the Salt Lake Tribune.

LOCAL RACES: Josh Drobnyk in the Allentown Morning Call reports that a Marine Corps Reserve colonel whose son was killed in Iraq will run for congress in Pennyslvania; and Noelle Straub in the Star-Tribune reports on a new drive to promote Democrat candidates in the Mountain West.

LOBBYING ETHICS: Forks have been banned at parties hosted by lobbyists, Rob Hotakainen for McClatchy in a piece about the ridiculous machinations accompanying the new ethics rule that took effect Sept. 14.

Weekend goodies we missed:

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Farmers _ many of whom buy health insurance on the open market _ want to hear the presidential candidates' health plans, Faith Bremner reports in the Argus Leader; Thomas Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reports that Mitt Romney promises to help Michigan rebound from its economic woes; Lesley Clark and Beth Reinhard in the Miami Herald report that Florida's primary is still important for Democrats despite the party boycott; and Larry Lipman in the Palm Beach Post poses the possibility of a McCain-Lieberman ticket.

LOOK-AHEAD: Lisa Mascaro in the Las Vegas Sun and Larry Lipman in the Palm Beach Post report on local congressional priorities for the coming year.

PAY RAISES: Joseph Morton in the Omaha World-Herald reports on congressional pay raises that go into effect this month, putting the annual salary of House members at $169,300.

AWARDS: Bartholomew Sullivan reports in the Commercial Appeal on the National Medal of Museum and Library Service award to the Memphis Public Library; and Noelle Straub in the Billings Gazette reports on an Air Force Band concert honoring a World War II hero from Billings.

YUCCA POLITICS: Lisa Mascaro reports in the Las Vegas Sun that officials with the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada are likely to miss their June 2008 deadline, which could be disastrous for the project.

And off the campaign trail this week...

Not all of us were out dogging the candidates. Here's a smattering of stories that regionals did back in Washington during the recess.

LOCAL ELECTIONS: Ed Felker in the Rochester Post-Bulletin reported on fundraising in local congressional races; Bruce Alpert reports in the Louisiana Times-Picayune on local officials of both parties endorsing Sen. Mary Landrieu for reelection; Sylvia Smith in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette looks ahead to the 2008 congressional races and the impact on Indiana; and Trish Choate reports on North Texas congressional races for the Witchita Falls Times New Record.

YEAR IN REVIEWS: Raju Chebuium for Gannett and Noelle Straub in the Missoulian look back on congressional accomplishments and failsures of 2007.

LEGISLATION: Malia Rulon for Gannett reports that former Rep. Bob Ney once toyed with the idea of introducing legislation to allow Pete Rose back into Major Leage Baseball; Lisa Friedman in the Los Angeles Daily News reports on legislation by Rep. Howard Berman to make radio stations pay royalties to singers.

REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS: Sean Reilly in the Mobile Press-Register reports on a Consumer Federation of America study that found property and casualty insurers are making record profits; Noelle Straub reports in the Helena Independent Record that the Justice Department has ended its investigation of former Sen. Conrad Burns in connection with lobbyist Jack Abramoff; Bruce Alpert in the Times-Picayune reports that ethics groups are targeting Sen. Mary Landrieu in connection with a $2 million earmark.

BANKRUPTCY: Rob Hotakainen for McClatchy reports on proposed changes to U.S. bankruptcy law.

VOTER ID: Maureen Groppe in the Indianapolis Star and Sylvia Smith in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette report on the high court review of Indiana's voter ID law and the Supreme Court arguments.

NUCLEAR NEWS: Lisa Mascaro in the Las Vegas Sun reports on a renewed interest in nuclear waste reprocessing; and Steve Tetreault for Stephens Media reports that the Energy Department plans to lay off dozens of Yucca Mountain employees in response to budget cuts.

IRAQ: Jim Myers in the Tulsa World reports that Oklahoma ranks third nationally in National Guard and Reserve activations; Joseph Morton in the Omaha World Herald reports that Sen. Ben Nelson believes that Iraq gains are insufficient.

Feature Spotlights

Jake Thompson did a fantastic take-out in last week's Omaha World Herald on the spectacular rise and fall of a local businessman. Check out the piece here!

Sean Reilly in the Mobile Press-Register examines the campaign fundraising bundlers in the presidential race.

The week in review: from Iowa to N.H.

Hello, regionals! Unfortunately, your blogger was away for a bit. But we're catching up now with highlights from some of the great regional campaign reporting over the past week.

Leading up to Iowa, Aaron Sadler reported for Stephen Media on anonymous letters alleging IRS investigations of churches that support Mike Huckabee _ a tactic the former pastor and governor denounced as ``dirty tricks.'' Nicole Guadiano reports in the Wilmington News-Journal that Joe Biden says he intends to stay in the race until late January no matter what happens in Iowa; Bill Theobold reports in the Tennessean that Thompson is hoping for second place; and Tommy Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reported on Mitt Romney's last-minute push.

Reporting on the elections themselves out of Iowa were Aaron Sadler, Craig Gilbert for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and Jerry Zremski for the Buffalo News; meanwhile, Nicole Guadiano reported in the Wilmington News-Journal on Joe Biden ending his presidential run. Ed Felker in the Rochester Post-Bulletin reports on how area political analysts read the Iowa results; Tommy Burr reported in the Salt Lake Tribune on the fallout from Mitt Romney's loss; and Bill Theobold in the Tennessean reports on Thompson' s fourth place finish.

Heading to New Hampshire, Sadler reported for Stephens Media on Huckabee's attempt to win over the state and the candidate's denial of a coordinated effort with John McCain to oust Romney; Wes Allison and Alex Leary in the St. Pete Times report on Hillary's uphill battle; Bill Theobold reports in the Tennessean that Fred Thompson needs a strong showing in South Carolina; Craig Gilbert reports in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on the huge crowds greeting Obama; and Lesley Clark in the Miami Herald looked ahead to the Florida primaries, and also reports on Floridians stumping in N.H. for Huckabee. Brett Lieberman in the Patriot News reports on locals heading out to New Hampshire to campaign; Suzanne Struglinski reported on Mitt Romney's performance during the New Hampshire debate as well as the former Massachusetts governor's final push in N.H.; Tommy Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reports that Romney vows to go on no matter what happens in New Hampshire; Jerry Zremski reports on Clinton's attacks on Obama in the Democratic debates, and the make-or-break battle between Clinton and Obama; and Wes Allison in the St. Pete Times reports on what New Hampshire means for McCain.

When Hillary choked back tears, Jerry Zremski was there to report on the impact for the Buffalo News.

And for the surprise finale, Wes Allison in the St. Petersburg Times, Craig Gilbert in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel report on the McCain/Clinton wins; Lesley Clark in the Miami Herald reports on N.H.'s implications for the upcoming Florida primary; Suzanne Struglinski in the Deseret News and Tommy Burr in the Salt Lake Tribune reports on Romney taking the silver as well as his new focus on Michigan and $6.5 million dial-a-thon. Finally, Dana Wilkie reports in the San Diego Union-Tribune on the new "warm" Hillary.

Can't wait to see what other great stuff regionals write from the campaign trail!

The caucuses are coming! The caucuses are coming!

IT'S ALL-IOWA-ALL-THE-TIME for some regionals this week. Tommy Burr for the Salt Lake Tribune is there assessing Mitt Romney's prospects. He also reports that the LDS church is not engaging in get-out-the-vote drives before the caucus; Bill Theobold in the Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Daily Journal reports that Fred Thompson is hoping for an Iowa payoff despite pundits' prediction the caucuses will be the end of his campaign; Nicole Guadiano follows the Biden campaign for the Wilmington News-Journal as the Delaware senator tries to convince voters he is the best prepared to deal with a world crisis ; Jerry Zremski in the Buffalo News explains the complicated caucus process, after last week following New Yorkers Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani through the state; Aaron Sadler for Stephens Media writes about Mike Huckabee's support in the state as well as Hillary Clinton's use of Arkanans in her Iowa campaigning; Craig Gilbert in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Iowa voters still have no idea who they'll chose; and Malia Rulon in the Cincinati Enquirer reports on locals heading out to Iowa.

NEW HAMPSHIRE is right around the corner and Dana Wilkie in the San Diego Union Tribune is tromping through the state with presidential hopeful Rep. Duncan Hunter.

Regionals are writing about a few other things this week -- more to come!