CHICAGO - It didn’t take long for skepticism to set in after Kmart Holding Corp. and Sears, Roebuck and Co. announced their $11 billion takeover — Kmart’s stock has fallen nearly 13 percent amid growing doubts that the marriage of two laggard retailers can succeed.

CHICAGO - The discounter Kmart Holding Corp. is acquiring one of the most venerable names in U.S. retailing, the department store operator Sears, Roebuck and Co., in a surprise $11 billion deal that will create the nation's third largest retailer.

CHICAGO - The discounter Kmart Holding Corp. is acquiring one of the most venerable names in U.S. retailing, the department store operator Sears, Roebuck and Co., in a surprise $11 billion deal that will create the nation's third largest retailer.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Kmart Holding Corp. completed its $12.3 billion acquisition of Sears, Roebuck and Co. on Thursday, creating the nation's third biggest retailer with a projected $55 billion in annual sales.

Members of churches of many Christian denominations from across the United States will be praying as the nation approaches Election Day, Nov. 6. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) put together and culminated a massive pre-election prayer vigil to go until voters head to the polls election day.

The letter from Bill Sandry (May 20) blaming the 1999 repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 for the financial meltdown that began in 2007 is another in a long series of Republican/tea party attempts to blame Bill Clinton for the mess created by the failed fiscal policies of George II and the Republican-dominated House and Senate of the 1990s and the first half of this decade.

The letter from Bill Sandry (May 20) blaming the 1999 repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 for the financial meltdown that began in 2007 is another in a long series of Republican/tea party attempts to blame Bill Clinton for the mess created by the failed fiscal policies of George II and the Republican-dominated House and Senate of the 1990s and the first half of this decade.

Alan Sears: Whenever Planned Parenthood and The Center for Reproductive Freedom team up, something dies. Sometimes, it's a freedom. More often, it's a life. If the two organizations' respective lawsuits - one state, one federal - succeed in dismantling a new Arizona law designed to protect pregnant women and those who serve them, you'll see mortal wounds nationwide to both lives and liberty.

Courtney DeMilio and Cynthia Davis have five children and little patience for President Bush’s support of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages.

The Scottsdale-based Christian organization spearheading a legal challenge to stop gays from marrying in San Francisco is recognized as a national heavyweight when it comes to promoting traditional family values.

A 29-foot war memorial shaped like a cross should be allowed to remain on public land. A teacher should be able to emphasize references to God in the Declaration of Independence. Protesters should be permitted to approach women near an abortion clinic.

A 29-foot war memorial shaped like a cross should be allowed to remain on public land. A teacher should be able to emphasize references to God in the Declaration of Independence. Protesters should be permitted to approach women near an abortion clinic.

Tony — Broadway’s most celebrated award — smiles down tonight on a commercial theater season that boosted itself with celebrities and busted all the records. The three-hour bash, televised from Radio City Music Hall, will feature a stream of wellknown presenters, enough that the 60th annual Tony Awards has no host.

CLEVELAND - In the next few weeks, five men and seven women will secretly visit the Cleveland Clinic to interview for the chance to have a radical operation that's never been tried anywhere in the world.