CURRENT NEWS ITEM: A BIG ONE AT BYRD

TOP - 50 RELEVANT BREAKING NEWS

1. Byrd pitches in relief on Monday

   On Monday in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Rays, Red Sox SP Paul Byrd made his first relief appearance since the 2004 playoffs, when he was with Atlanta. He allowed four runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings, recording two strikeouts.

2. Rays light up Lester, Byrd with long ball

   B.J. Upton's three-run home run in the third inning Monday was the first of four dingers by the Tampa Bay Rays, who breezed to a 9-1 win over Boston in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

3. Fate of Byrd as Appropriations Panel Chief Uncertain

   Aides of Harry Reid would neither confirm nor deny a report Tuesday that the Senate majority leader is going to strip Sen. Robert Byrd of his position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

4. Democrats May Nudge Byrd Off Post in Committee

   Senate Democrats increasingly agree that Robert C. Byrd, 90, is not up to the immense challenges he will face as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

5. Aides Cite Bid to Oust Byrd From Panel Post

   Senate Democrats have once again begun informal discussions about replacing Robert C. Byrd, the longest-serving senator in history, as chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee before the start of the 111th Congress in January, according to aides.

6. Byrd Steps Down as Appropriations Panel Chair

   Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest-serving senator in history, is stepping down from his cherished post as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committeeimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/time/politics/~4/445846314" height="1" width="1"/

7. This Year, Sens. Ted Stevens and Robert Byrd Have Unforgettable Birthdays

   So much for happy birthdays, senators. They have grown old together, pals across the aisle, Ted Stevens and Robert C. Byrd. And each year, as their power swelled, they've celebrated birthdays two days apart: Stevens on Nov. 18 and Byrd on Nov. 20.

8. Kimmel's Happy Birthday to Sen. Byrd

   A late-night tribute for the senior member of the Senate.