Los Angeles Times

1) Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. He defeated John McCain in a decisive victory. 2) Proposition 8 in California, which would ban gay marriage, was leading in early returns but the final outcome was still uncertain. The measure became the most expensive ballot initiative in the nation this year. 3) In congressional races, Democrats appeared poised to maintain or expand their majorities in both the House and Senate. Results showed Democrats winning 218 seats in the House and maintaining a majority of 56-40 in the Senate, with some races still undecided.