Mangini: Cleveland is 'where I wanted to be'

Eric Mangini may not be the popular pick as the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns, but Mangini has never concerned himself with being popular.

The No. 1 killer of houseplants is overwatering. We love our plants to death. The No. 1 period when houseplants die is winter. The two statistics are related.

Washington sternly said that it would allow GMAC to become a bank holding company only if GMAC increased its capital to $30 billion. When GMAC fell far short, Washington supplied some of the shortfall.

"Picturing America" is rarer than rubies: A worthy government program that costs next to nothing — $2.6 million this year, a rounding error in the smallest of the bailouts.

The lobby nearly was full by the time Robert Fisher lumbered through North Canton Medical Foundation's sliding doors. Patients, unable to see a doctor because of the Fourth of July holiday, sat shoulder to shoulder in rows of green arm chairs.

Woodland Park Estates is a community of working-class residents who live in ranch and two-story vinyl-sided homes just off U.S. Route 30. It sits largely hidden in a valley of hills and tall trees, nestled between farmland and the historic Clearview Golf Club, the nation's first golf course built and designed by a black man.

Retailers reported dismal sales figures for December today as even Wal-Mart Stores Inc., one of the bright spots in the industry, finally buckled under the pressures of the deteriorating economy.

“These closings are part of our normal-course process to prune underperforming locations each year in order to maintain a healthy portfolio of stores,” said Macy’s Chief Executive Terry J. Lundgren.

Charlie Myers is accused of shooting and killing a 29-year-old mother in her home, then driving her son to an Interstate 70 rest area, where travelers found him wandering around.

Police Chief John Joyce with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority says it was contacted because it’s among a relatively small number of transit systems with a dedicated police unit.

A tourist from China’s Anhui province went over a 4-foot, 7-inch barrier surrounding the panda’s outdoor exercise area Wednesday to retrieve a toy dropped by his 5-year-old son.

Rockets fired from Lebanon that exploded in Israel’s north raised the specter of renewed hostilities with Hezbollah, just 2 1/2 years after Israel battled the guerrilla group to a 34-day stalemate.

The Cavs began the day tied with the Lakers for the NBA’s best record — 27-6. It’s the latest the Cavs have owned the league’s best record in 20 years.

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns says he wants to see what the quarterback can do before making an evaluation.

Not long ago, it seemed as if Eric Mangini's job was secure. The Jets were 8-3 and seemingly headed toward the playoffs. Today, the Cleveland Browns will announce that Mangini is their new head coach less than two weeks after he was fired in New York.

McKinley graduate Raymar Morgan has 13 points and 10 rebounds as Michigan State tops Ohio State.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy lost his second career game, against Ohio State in 2006. The junior capped his 2008 season with a fine performance Monday, leading the Longhorns to a last-minute win over the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl.