1. ENDANGERED SPECIES:
Interior lists polar bears as threatened

The Interior Department declared the polar bear a threatened species today, blaming the loss of sea ice for the species' decline. The ruling will allow the United States to "reduce avoidable losses of polar bears" but will not allow the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions linked to warming temperatures, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said at a Washington news conference. Go to story #1

2. AGRICULTURE:
House OKs farm bill by veto-proof margin

The House gave emphatic support to the farm bill conference report today, indicating that it may be able to override an expected presidential veto. The bellwether 318-106 vote is a show of force that puts the long-delayed bill into the homestretch to final passage. The Senate is expected to approve the bill as soon as tomorrow morning. Go to story #2