The first part of Horton Foote’s “Orphans’ Home Cycle” is a thrilling demonstration of an artist soaring into the realm of the epic.

Heart of a Small Town, Vast in Its Loneliness

As the musical children’s show “Yo Gabba Gabba!” continues to take significant steps into mainstream popular culture, its producers crave more support from its network.

Nickelodeon’s Stepchild, Eager for More Love

The U.S. takeover of G.M. and Chrysler isn’t an unqualified success, but rising auto prices may be more than a statistical fluke.

U.S. Teaches Carmakers Capitalism

Rejecting warnings by the Obama administration, a committee approved a plan by Representative Ron Paul to carry out sweeping new audits of the central bank’s policy decisions and operations.

Panel Votes to Broaden Oversight of the Fed

The commander of military forces protecting North America has ordered a review of the costly air defenses intended to prevent another Sept. 11-style terrorism attack.

Air Defense Push Inspired by 9/11 Gets a 2nd Look

Testimony in the trial of the former Senate leader has exposed an unseemly way of doing business in Albany.

For Bruno, How Albany Works Is Also on Trial

Students and faculty worry that deep budget cuts are pushing the University of California into decline.

A Crown Jewel of Education Struggles With Cuts

An effort by the F.H.A. to prop up real estate prices amid rising defaults has put taxpayers at risk.

With F.H.A. Help, Easy Loans in Expensive Areas

Oprah Winfrey will end her daytime talk show in 2011 as she prepares to start a cable channel of her own.

Winfrey Bets on Her Future With Cable

Carol Sklenicka’s biography and a long-overdue “Collected Stories” spotlight Carver’s growth as a writer and illuminate his poisonous relationship with the editor Gordon Lish.

Raymond Carver’s Life and Stories

New guidelines for cervical cancer screening say women should delay their first Pap test until age 21, and go for screening less often than had been previously recommended.

Guidelines Push Back Age for Cervical Cancer Tests

Backers of science-driven medicine cheered the new recommendations on cancer screening, while many patients still believe that more is always better.

Screening Debate Reveals Culture Clash in Medicine

German law enforcement officials arrested 17 on Friday in connection with what was described as the biggest match-fixing scandal yet uncovered in European soccer.

Raids Expose Soccer Fixing Across Europe

Team officials spent three days weighing the pros and cons of signing Allen Iverson, a four-time N.B.A. scoring champion with problems in his past.

Sticking to Game Plan, Knicks Pass on Iverson

Ohio claims state funds lost $457 million because the rating agencies “departed from their objective, neutral role as arbiters.”

Ohio Sues Rating Firms for Losses in Funds

Mike Florio started his blog as a sideline to his law practice, but it has grown into a leading source of information about the N.F.L.

Far From Field, Lawyer’s Blog Is Player in N.F.L.

When an Atlanta hospital closed its dialysis unit, many illegal immigrants had to scramble to find treatment.

Hospital Falters as Refuge for Illegal Immigrants

After spending $53 billion for relief and reconstruction since 2003, the U.S. is concerned Iraqis won’t be able to maintain the facilities on their own.

U.S. Fears Iraqis Will Not Keep Up Rebuilt Projects

Jerking is a Los Angeles dance phenomenon that comes with its own dress code.

Hip-Hop’s New Steps

Some advice from those with firsthand experience of divorce may help you avoid the financial pitfalls of a split.

Experienced in Love and Money

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” has sparked heated debate about its meaning since its limited release.

To Blacks, Precious Is ‘Demeaned’ or ‘Angelic’

Parents are borrowing from Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, who is known for inspiring discipline, order and devotion.

Becoming the Alpha Dog in Your Own Home

Get an energy audit. Check out the thermostat. Think about motion sensors. And how about sending the super to class?

Start Small and Think Long-Term: Saving Energy

The question of how good the Longhorns are may linger until they are truly tested, which may be in the B.C.S. title game.

Dominance of Texas Is Harder to Define in a Softer Big 12

To the Editor: I enjoyed the article “Rare Books Don’t Always Live in Glass Cases” (Nov. 1) on lesser-known libraries with extraordinary collections. I was reminded of the detour-worthy art collection housed in the library of my hometown, Charles City, Iowa, population about 7,500. The public library was bequeathed an important collection of works on paper in 1941.

Letter: Library Treasures

Lino Lacedelli was an Italian mountaineer. Together with Achille Compagnoni, on 31 July 1954 he was the first to reach the summit of K2.

November 20, 2009

Headlines from November 20, 2009

Heart of a Small Town, Vast in Its Loneliness

Nickelodeon’s Stepchild, Eager for More Love

U.S. Teaches Carmakers Capitalism

Panel Votes to Broaden Oversight of the Fed

Air Defense Push Inspired by 9/11 Gets a 2nd Look

Billboard 200

Play On

Michael Jackson's This Is It (Soundtrack)

My Christmas

Glee: Season One: The Music Volume 1

NOW 32

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for November 20, 2009