Tim Fitzsimons

The risk of flash floods has subsided across South Carolina's Lowcountry. But overflowing rivers continue to pose a risk as residents begin to assess the damage to their roads, homes and businesses.

More than half the global population has never been online. But Silicon Valley giants are trying to change that.

The island is paying nearly 10 percent interest on its bonds to attract reluctant investors. And some credit-rating analysts are saying Puerto Rico's bonds may soon get a downgrade. But optimists say they can help solve the island's problems from the bottom up.

States have long sought to restrict cellphone use by drivers because of safety concerns, and as the new year begins, several states are toughening their laws. It turns out it's a hard habit to break. And for government officials, it's not easy to stay ahead of tech advances.