NATIONAL
Bush faces formidable obstacles
With Congress in Democratic hands for the first time in his presidency and Republicans criticizing his troop buildup in Iraq, President Bush faces formidable obstacles to promoting his agenda in tomorrow night's State of the Union address. pg 1A
N.M. governor enters '08 race
Bill Richardson, the avuncular governor of New Mexico, announced yesterday his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, making history as the first Latino to have a credible chance to lead a national ticket. pg 3A
MARYLAND
Schaefer's pensions pile up
Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, who leaves office today, is due to collect a taxpayer-funded pension of $165,000 a year from city and state government, records show. His five decades as a Baltimore councilman and mayor and as governor and comptroller have positioned him to receive more in pension benefits than he was earning on the job. pg 1A
Komen race to leave the city
The annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to benefit breast cancer treatment and research is moving to Hunt Valley from Baltimore, organizers are to announce today. They noted scheduling problems with the National Football League over the use of M&T; Bank Stadium's parking lots, which served as the race's staging area and finish line. pg 1A
Health advocates question rule
Public health advocates fear a new federal regulation requiring Medicaid applicants to supply proof of identity and citizenship has resulted in thousands of Marylanders losing their insurance. pg 1B
WORLD
Six U.S. troops die in Iraq
Six more American troops have been killed in Iraq amid a significant climb in U.S. fatalities at a time when President Bush is seeking to convince a wary public of his plan to escalate the military's presence in the capital and equally volatile Anbar province. pg 7A
Mexico plans more extraditions
On a weekend when four top drug leaders were sent to face trial in the United States, Mexico's attorney general said yesterday that he plans more extraditions, tacitly acknowledging that corruption has allowed drug kingpins to direct their operations even while behind bars in maximum-security Mexican prisons. pg 10A
TODAY
Is ugly the new pretty?
With Ugly Betty, UglyRipe tomatoes and some ugly performances on American Idol, has the nation's obsession with beauty finally taken a turn? pg 1C
NBC show's heroic return
For a nation yearning for heroes, NBC's hit Heroes comes to the rescue, returning to prime time tonight. pg 1C
SPORTS
Colts, Bears gain Super Bowl
The Indianapolis Colts defeated the New England Patriots, 38-34, in the AFC championship, and the Chicago Bears beat the New Orleans Saints, 39-14, in the NFC championship. The Colts and Bears will meet in the Super Bowl in two weeks. pg 1D
Terps women top Wake
The No. 3 Maryland women's basketball team routed Wake Forest, 83-60, for its 20th victory of the season. Four Terps scored in double figures, led by sophomore forward Marissa Coleman with 21. pg 5D