http://www.timesrepublican.comTop Headlinesen-usSat, 4 Jul 2009 18:35:21 EDTSat, 4 Jul 2009 18:35:21 EDThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/517764.htmlLack of bucks means less bang this July Fourth for many cash-strapped cities. Fireworks shows are being canceled or scaled back, mostly in small and midsize cities, as municipalities' tax revenue dries up with the slowing economy and falling home prices. Funding from corporate sponsorships also has fizzled as businesses deal with economic problems of their own.Fri, 3 Jul 2009 23:29:10 EDThttp://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/517765.htmlAs the Orpheum Theater renovation steering committee looks for ways to bring the facility back to its original 1949 look, one item recently donated will take visitors back in time. A ticket from opening night of the Orpheum dated June 23, 1949 was donated by Vahl Vladyka. He is 1940 Marshalltown High School graduate who is now retired and lives in Austin, Texa.Fri, 3 Jul 2009 23:31:45 EDThttp://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/517766.htmlWASILLA, Alaska - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month, a shocking move that rattled the Republican party but left open the possibility she would seek a run for the White House in 2012.Fri, 3 Jul 2009 23:32:32 EDThttp://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/517767.htmlBarb Knight of Marshalltown proudly held the blue and white certificate from Therapy Dog International honoring her dog Lady. She pointed to the letters TDIAOV, which means Therapy Dog International Active Outstanding Volunteer. Knight said Lady earned the special award requiring 150 hours of service. The service Lady did was important to the people meeting her.Fri, 3 Jul 2009 23:37:48 EDThttp://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/517742.htmlNAWA, Afghanistan - U.S. Marines suffered their first casualties of a massive new military campaign Thursday as they engaged in sporadic gunbattles along 55 miles of Taliban-controlled heartland in southern Afghanistan.Thu, 2 Jul 2009 23:50:12 EDT