Obama expected to announce Afghan troop decision in prime time speech next Tuesday: The top U.S. general and the U.S ambassador in Afghanistan have been told to prepare for congressional testimony as early as next week. | Washington Post

S.C. governor faces 37 ethics charges: Details released Monday say Mark Sanford broke state laws limiting official use of airplanes and involving campaign money. | Associated Press

Surtax on the wealthy is proposed to pay for troop increase in Afghanistan: President Obama is meeting with top staff Monday night to talk about the course of the war. | Fox

Large recall of cribs coming: It involves baby beds that could be dangerous, even deadly, because of design of dropdown sides. | CBS

Trial date set for Jan. 27 in lawsuit seeking to stop McKee's north St. Louis project: The suit, filed in Cole County, challenges the state’s Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit as unconstitutional. | STLtoday

Tax credit pushes local home sales up 27 percent in October compared with a year earlier: St. Louis County led the region with a 36 percent jump, but sales were up in all parts of the area. | STLtoday

Scuffle erupts at Northeast fire board meeting: Three arrested, including Rep. Don Calloway Jr., after the board agreed to pay $780,000 in severance to three employees. | STLtoday

Missouri congressman's call for complaint-free day before Thanksgiving draws plenty of complaints: Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City became the target of plenty of online carping. | Kansas City Star

Philippines declares state of emergency as death toll rises from election violence: Among the 46 victims are journalists and the wife of a candidate for governor. | CNN

Deal expected soon for release of long-held Israeli prisoner: In exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit by Hamas, Israel would release up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. | Christian Science Monitor

"Gruesome" election violence rocks Philippines: Bodies of at least 30 victims were found in what is being called a politically motivated slaughter. | Los Angeles Times

Little-known Belgian premier becomes first full-time president of EU: The choice of Herman Van Rompuy signaled the leaders were not eager to have a high-profile personality represent the EU abroad. | Associated Press

Hillary Clinton says she won't run for president again: Secretary of state would be near 70 by 2016, the next time President Obama is not expected to run. | Washington Post

Senate committee approves revisions to Patriot Act: Several senators say they would not support final passage unless changes are made. | Associated Press

Democrats defeat GOP efforts to remove Rangel as Ways and Means chairman: An ethics committee's investigation of Rangel's financial and fundraising activities has been under way for about a year. | Associated Press

Congressional leaders find loophole for spending donations: Leadership PACs are less scrutinized than regular donations. Golf, anyone? | ProPublica

Pace of recovery is slower than first thought: Revised figures show the economy grew at a 2.8 percent pace in the third quarter, not the 3.5 percent earlier estimated. | Bloomberg

Lenders, stockholders, bondholders try to block Charter's exit from bankruptcy: They are appealing a judge's approval of the cable company's reorganization plan. | St. Louis Business Journal

Sales of existing homes jump 10.1 percent in October: They reached their highest point in two and a half years. | CNN

Business economists see strong recovery next year: But the unemployment rate will remain stubbornly high, new survey says. | Reuters

Chaminade will get $28 million gift for arts center: The money, from the family of alumnus and mutual fund innovator Skip Viragh, is thought to be the largest gift ever to a grade school or high school in the region. | STLtoday

Obama announces effort to boost U.S. students in science and math: The $260 million campaign includes partnerships involving the federal government, companies, foundations, nonprofits, and science and engineering societies. | Boston Globe

Parkway South graduate chosen as Rhodes Scholar: Andrew McCall is the first student ever from Truman State selected for the prestigious program. | STLtoday

Bill Gates foundation announces $335 million in grants for teacher effectiveness: The money will go to public schools in Tampa, Memphis and Pittsburgh and five charter schools in Los Angeles. | Washington Post