The Old Line State enacted a law--over its governor's veto--that forces any employer in the state with more than 10, 000 employees to either spend at least 8% of its payroll on health care benefits or pay the difference to the state.

FORBES: Sick Solution

Exxon Mobil says it plans to dig up and replace the broken part of the 65-year-old line that runs from the state of Illinois to Texas.

BBC: Exxon Mobil oil spill subject to Arkansas investigation

So compassionate conservatism raises anew that age-old American question: where to draw the line between church and state?

ECONOMIST: Preparing America for compassionate conservatism

This has been done by Kam-Biu Liu, of Louisiana State University, who has looked for traces of old hurricanes in the ponds that line much of America's Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

ECONOMIST: Eye on the storm | The

That line appeals to voters in a state full of recent arrivals who may not remember Mr Reid from the old days.

ECONOMIST: The Nevada Senate race