Karen Hughes, U.S. undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, talks to an Egyptian girl, Karima Mohammed, 6, during her visit to Cairo's old city Sunday. Hughes' trip is part of an effort to counter negative attitudes about U.S. policies in the Middle East.

Amr Nabil

Associated Press

Published September 26, 2005

Anti-War protesters wearing black vails march toward the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. Saturday in Washington, DC. Tens of thousands of protesters againt the war in Iraq gathered in Washington to protest the war.

Mark Wilson

Getty Images

Published September 24, 2005

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wisc.) speaks in support of the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. as Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) walks past at the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting in Washington on Thursday. The committee approved Roberts' nomination as the next Supreme Court chief justice 13-5, virtually assuring his confirmation by the Senate next week. Schumer was one of five Democrats who opposed Roberts.

Carol T. Powers

New York Times

Published September 23, 2005

Mayor Randy Kelly during a mayoral candidate debate with Elizabeth Dickinson and Chris Coleman.

David Brewster

Star Tribune

Published September 19, 2005

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., ranking Democrat on the committee, right, look toward Chief Justice nominee John Roberts, back to camera, on Thursday, the fourth day of Roberts' testimony at his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill.

Charles Dharapak

Associated Press

Published September 16, 2005

State Sen. David Gaither. Gov. Tim Pawlenty replaced his chief of staff, Dan McElroy, on Thursday with first-term Republican Sen. David Gaither, of Plymouth.

Published September 16, 2005

Standing in New Orleans’ Jackson Square, President Bush concluded his remarks. Lighting for the speech was provided by a generator brought from the White House. “The passionate soul of a great city will return,” he said during the nationally televised address.

Susan Walsh

Associated Press

Published September 16, 2005

In this image taken from television, President Bush speaks to the nation Thursday from Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Associated Press

Published September 16, 2005

President Bush greets Lousiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco as Director of Homeland Secority Michael Chertoff, left, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, second from left, look on upon Bush's arrival on the Iwo Jima in New Orleans, Thursday.

Susan Walsh

Associated Press

Published September 16, 2005

Signs for candidates in St. Paul's mayoral race lined Summit Avenue lawns last week.

Tom Sweeney

Star Tribune

Published September 15, 2005

Chief Justice nominee John Roberts laughs during the third day of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, Wednesday.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Associated Press

Published September 15, 2005

Senate Judiciary Committee member, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., questions Chief Justice nominee John Roberts during Roberts confirmation hearing before the committee on Capitol Hill, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Associated Press

Published September 14, 2005

Election workers Elma Johnson, left, Bob Schwob and Rosemary York waited for voters to show up Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Colfax Avenue S. in Minneapolis. Only seven voters cast ballots during the first half-hour.

David Joles

Star Tribune

Published September 14, 2005

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, center, and his wife, Megan O’Hara, were greeted by election worker Nancy Gormley, left, when they arrived Tuesday to vote at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Colfax Avenue S. Their son, Charlie, 16, watched from the doorway.

David Joles

Star Tribune

Published September 14, 2005

Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee John Roberts gives his opening remarks on the first day of his confirmation hearings September 12, 2005, at the historic Russell Senate Office Building Caucus Room in Washington, DC. The hearings begin three weeks before the Supreme Court begins it 2005-2006 term, in which it will preside over historic cases on abortion, assisted suicide, military recruiting on college campuses, and the rights of prisoners under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mark Wilson

Getty Images

Published September 13, 2005