WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of senators reached a deal yesterday on a dramatic overhaul of the nation's immigration laws that would offer most of the nation's 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants a lawful work permit and a shot at citizenship.

» The Hot Issue: Should illegal immigrants already in this country be allowed to stay and become U.S. citizens?

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- After three days of hearing how a longer, tougher Augusta National Golf Club would regain its advantage over the world's best players, the 300 acres of perfect turf opted to fold.

The 90-player field, led by Vijay Singh, subdued Bobby Jones' place by throwing 18 red numbers and a flock of eagles on the board under ideal scoring conditions in which wind was but a wisp.

NEW YORK -- A day after Katie Couric announced she was leaving for CBS, NBC has chosen Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's new partner on the “Today“ show.

A moderating economy and cooler weather gave consumers little incentive to shop in March and left retailers with tepid sales for the second month in a row. The later arrival of Easter this year also hurt business.

As the nation's merchants reported their monthly results today , Limited Brands, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., J.C. Penney Co., Gap Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Sharper Image Corp. were among the disappointments. Bright spots were wholesale club operator Costco Wholesale Corp. and Nordstrom Inc., both of which beat Wall Street expectations.

A Hurricane Katrina refugee will capture a large part of the spotlight in Vaud-Villities' 64th annual production this week.

RuthAnn Blake will sing and leads the finale of "The Critics' Choice," which will offer favorites from Broadway and Hollywood when it opens tonight in Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad st.

About 260 people -- including 241 performers -- are involved in the amateur production.