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Billions of dollars in sales and use tax sit idle while states run short on funds, a few tax analysts and lawyers said. Photo by Photo8.com, courtesy of Flickr, Creative Commons.Businesses without a physical presence in a state they sell their goods to might not know if they have to abide by state sales and use tax rules. The easiest way to solve this dilemma is for the business to set up an office in the state they do business. Then, the guidelines are easier to follow.

Wearing colorful wigs and motley clothes, an estimated 4,000 anime and videogame fans made their way to the Hyatt Hotel in Crystal City, Va. for Anime USA last weekend. The convention is in its 11th year and attracts people from all over the East Coast for a weekend of Japanese animated and live action films, shopping, gaming, dancing and a chance to meet fellow fans.

"It's like a mini-vacation for me," said Alex Li, a 21-year-old college student.

While the U.S. focuses on a military exit strategy in Iraq, uncertainty looms on how the country will fare after the dust settles.

The United States has 116,000 troops in Iraq, but that number will go down to 50,000 by August 2010 in accordance with a plan drawn up by the Obama administration. The U.S. will continue to have a role in rebuilding the country, but there will be fewer combat soldiers and more Foreign Service officers.

Michael Corbin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

Live broadcast hosted by Brianna Pellicane and Keyana Farkondepay, produced by Joseph Liu. This panel was broadcast live via UStream at 1:00pm EST on November 10, 2009.

The frequency spectrum is more than just pretty colors and radiation--it supports the signals that make up the foundation of the entire digital age.

Watch our podcast to hear about today's stories from the people who wrote them.

Even if you don't know what Drupal is or what it means, if you're reading this article, you're using it right now.

In this week's issue you'll find out how an exhibit is putting Red Bull cans to good use; how masks used in radiation therapy can be remade as art; and how a Maryland suburb scares even adults in its lead-up to Halloween. Also check out the second installment in our continuing series on Metro stops.

After last week's fun and relaxing break with our "Fall into fall" edition, the Observer is back to the business of dealing with hard-hitting issues. This week, we're bringing you a variety of coverage on human rights issues in the District.