Ted Kennedy: A Life in Pictures

(NEWSER) - Sen. Ted Kennedy, patriarch of one of the most powerful political dynasties in American history and long-time liberal lion of the Democratic Party, died late last night at his Massachusetts home in Hyannis Port, reports the New York Times. “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," said a statement from his family. Kennedy, 77, had been battling brain cancer for more than a year. More»

(NEWSER) - Over the years, Ted Kennedy relied a lot on his wives, first Joan Bennett and then Vicki Reggie, and the two women couldn’t have been more different, writes Martha Moore of the USA Today. Joan, one of the celebrated Camelot-era Kennedy wives, was reserved and troubled, but it was she who campaigned for Kennedy when he broke his back in 1964. More»

'Wild child' was known on the party circuit in younger years

(AP) - Eleanor Mondale, the vivacious daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale who carved out her own reputation as an entertainment reporter, radio show host, and gossip magnet, died yesterday at her home in Minnesota. She was 51. Mondale had been diagnosed with brain cancer years earlier. In a statement emailed to friends, the former vice president said he and his wife "must report that our wonderful daughter, Eleanor Mondale Poling, after her long and gutsy battle against cancer, went up to heaven last night to be with her angel." More»

Former Sen. Charles Percy also dead

(AP) - Two notable obituaries from the wires today:

• Kara Kennedy, 51, the oldest child of the late Ted Kennedy, died at a Washington health club, reports AP . She had battled lung cancer since 2002. "She's with dad," said brother Patrick. "Her heart gave out." She has a son and daughter, both teens, with her now-divorced husband, Michael Allen. She kept a fairly low profile but was active in charity and philanthropic circles. More at the Boston Globe .

The 'astonishing arc' of Robert Byrd's life

(NEWSER) - Robert Byrd, who died today at age 92, rose from a hardscrabble childhood in the coalfields of West Virginia to become the longest-serving member of Congress in history. Those who knew the conservative Democrat remember him as a self-taught man of iron will (he remains the only congressman to have put himself through law school while in office), a fiery orator who spent his almost six decades in Congress delivering as much federal money as possible to his impoverished home state while also defending the legislative branch in the face of expanding presidential power, reports the Washington Post . More»