National Newspapers and Politics
The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have outstanding writers that will give you different perspectives.
The Onion for the funny side of the news
Memeorandum is a good aggregator of political news.
Politico is a place for political junkies.
The Associated Press will keep you up to date.
Minnesota Papers
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Michael's hometown paper)
The Jackson County Pilot (Joy's hometown paper from Jackson, MN)
Kansas Papers
Winfield News at the Courier Traveler and Kansas news at the Wichita Eagle