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After a messy Senate burial late last year, the government-run health insurance plan may be back. Proponents cite continued wide support and the fact that this time it needs fewer votes to pass in the Senate.

Anti-smoking campaigns have had success reducing smoking, and since the 1990s smoking among youth has also declined. However, public health messages about exercise and healthy eating don't seem to be having an effect yet. Kids are developing adult diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Blogosphere fad or future of the internet? We don't know, but it's really, really addictive (and kind of creepy). Culture Lust contributor Meredith Hattam takes a whirl on ChatRoulette.

The Federal Reserve decided to keep its benchmark interest rate near zero, reinforcing a commitment that rates should stay "exceptionally low" as the economy emerges from recession. Officials said high unemployment and low inflation were at the crux of the decision.

Red-shirted protesters had threatened to carry out the symbolic act in Bangkok if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva didn't agree to dissolve the country's parliament by Monday. The government has activated special security provisions just short of martial law.

Bill Lerach, a San Diego-based class-action attorney, was once known as "the knee-capper of corporate America." After winning $45 billion in fraud judgements against corporations like Enron, Citibank and Drexel-Burnham, in 2007, Lerach pleaded guilty to one federal conspiracy charge of obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to two years in prison and lost his license to practice law. He is the subject of the new book "Circle of Greed."

Culture Lust contributor Aaryn Belfer has a daughter who loves princesses. She thought the new animated "The Princess and the Frog" would round out her daughter's princess obsession because it has an African-American heroine. The movie just arrived on DVD and Aaryn tells readers how Disney squanders the opportunity to break new ground in the princess genre.

Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has formed a new group to promote the ideals of the Tea Party movement. Although Thomas has often worked for conservative causes, her new role is raising questions about potential conflicts of interest for her husband.

In Iraq, the minority Sunnis have boycotted previous elections — many of them under threat from insurgents. But now that Sunnis have cast their votes in this month's parliamentary elections, how will they react if their side loses? Many in Fallujah seem resigned to accept what they get.

Organizing for America has held meetings, sent e-mails and knocked on doors advocating for health care, but it hasn't added any oomph to President Obama's top legislative priority. Now it must turn out voters for Democrats in the tough midterm elections.