Washington DC

U.S. economic confidence fell slightly in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. But consumers in the District of Columbia and states such as Maryland, Virginia, Utah and Massachusetts kept their confidence up. Here's why.

As the debt-ceiling discussion winds down in Washington and everyone laments over the meaning and mutual downside of compromise, the economy is still in trouble. But we learned some lessons along the way. Here are some key points from the debacle.

When it's time for some R&R in the sun, Americans have a wealth of options. But based on summertime hotel room rentals, which one takes the crown? Orlando with its theme parks? New York with its culture? Washington with it's history? L.A. with its beaches? None of the above. Curious? Read on ...

City dwellers know that finding an affordable downtown parking spot involves cutthroat competition. And in some urban centers, even the winners pay through the nose for a place to stash their cars. Find out where the rates are worst (and the high price we all pay for "free" parking.)

With gas prices shooting ever higher, cities such as Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami have either allowed cab drivers to levy fuel surcharges or are considering them. But in New York, where the drivers of the nation's largest cab fleet are struggling to make ends meet, officials say a surcharge isn't even being considered.

"Sesame Street" will soon have a place in the National Children's Museum. The creators of the long-running children's show are developing an interactive area at the facility, slated to open near Washington D.C. in 2013.

When the government releases documents under the Freedom of Information Act, it still has to protect human beings' personal privacy. This week, AT&T asked the Supreme Court to apply the same privacy principle to corporations. A ruling is months away, but it didn't sound like even the conservative wing of the court was buying it.

The world's an ever-changing place, and that change affects how far your dollar will go on vacation. Lonely Planet's U.S. editor, Robert Reid, contributed to the publisher's newly-released Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2011. He visited WalletPop to count down his picks for the places that have...

Verizon Communications Inc. has agreed to give the District of Columbia 2,500 calling cards to end an investigation by the D.C. attorney general's office into unused balances on calling cards bought by consumers. Verizon declined to comment on the settlement.

The bare light bulbs flicker like battered bug-lamps. The beer is bath-water flat on draft. And heaven forbid you ate Tex-Mex for dinner, because the one yellowing toilet in this godforsaken place doesn't even sport a stall door. But then the band you've been blasting for the past six weeks takes...