Michele Norris

In 1857, a group of American intellectuals founded The Atlantic and used it to challenge the institution of slavery. Now, on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War's beginning, a new issue of the magazine reaches back to a time when slavery — and the future of the United States — was still an open question.

Sheriffs' detectives in Inyo County, Calif., believe a one-time hideout of the notorious Charles Manson clan may be concealing the bodies of murder victims from nearly 40 years ago. The detectives are converging Tuesday on the Barker Ranch with shovels and high-tech ground-penetrating radar to search for graves.

Ted Kennedy has been diagnosed with malignant brain cancer. In his eighth full term, he is the third longest serving senator in U.S. history. Many of his fellow lawmakers — both Democrat and Republican — are offering prayers and support for the 76-year-old.

Barack Obama has gotten one of the most sought-after endorsements of the Democratic primary race. John Edwards will join Obama at a rally Wednesday night and announce his support. Edwards' endorsement has been the object of intense wooing — by both the Obama and Clinton campaigns.

Following her landslide defeat on Tuesday in North Carolina and a narrow win in Indiana, the conventional wisdom is that Hillary Clinton has a vastly diminished chance at winning the Democratic presidential nomination. The question is, what does she do between now and when it becomes official?

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, faced tough questions on Iraq from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The New York Times says federal prosecutors have wiretap evidence that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer was a client in a prostitution ring. The first-term Democrat held a news conference and did not deny the allegations.

Voters are participating Tuesday in primary elections in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia — they're being called the "Potomac Primaries." Better-than-average turnout is expected in Virginia and Maryland, with waits of up to 45 minutes in some areas.

It's the day after Super Tuesday, and while things are settling on the GOP side with Sen. John McCain clearly ahead of his rivals, the lead candidate of the Democratic contest remains unclear. Meanwhile, the New Mexico caucuses remain too close to call.

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama debate Thursday for the first time since their bitter contest in South Carolina — and for the first time without John Edwards. Edwards withdrew from the presidential race Wednesday, but he has yet to endorse another candidate.