Michelle Obama

While President-elect Barack Obama promises to usher in a new era in American politics, the first lady-to-be already has begun sending strong signals of her own. One thing's for sure. Michelle Obama is about to turn the notion of what is first-lady-appropriate on its staid, pastel-suited head. Actually, she already has. Her choice of a black and fire-engine red Narciso Rodriguez sheath on election night, still hotly debated a week later, is all the proof we need that change is coming to the White House master closet.

More bad news has come to former hero cop Richard DeCoatsworth, who resigned from the department last month under cloudy circumstances. DeCoatsworth, 25, is now the subject of an investigation by his old department for allegedly threatening a man and a woman on a Port Richmond street on Jan. 25. "To sum it up, he pretty much threatened someone," Officer Tanya Little said today. The incident happened in the 2700 block of Salmon Street, she said, and was shortly thereafter reported to police by the couple, whom she would not identify.

NEW YORK - About 15 years ago, designer Thom Browne had his own ideas about how a suit should fit. So he shortened the arms and the pant legs, opted for a flat-front trouser, and shrank everything else. The rest of the fashion world jumped on Browne's exaggerated proportions, and by 2003, he opened a bespoke tailoring shop in New York's Meatpacking District. Browne was on his way to becoming the most influential menswear designer the world had seen in 20 years, his contributions to suiting as significant as Giorgio Armani and Christian Dior.

Conan (11 p.m., TBS) - Writer Chris Kyle. Late Show With David Letterman (11:35 p.m., CBS3) - Actor Stephen Merchant; Girls' Generation performs. The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (11:35 p.m., NBC10 - Michelle Obama; Mark Harmon; Imelda May performs. Jimmy Kimmel Live (Midnight, 6ABC) - Martin Scorsese; Kenneth Branagh; Angels and Airwaves.

Manteo Mitchell always wanted to serve as an inspiration. He never figured he would have to break his leg to do it. "I didn't plan on that," Mitchell said. An injury on the international stage has worked out wonderfully for the 25-year-old from Shelby, N.C. One moment, Mitchell was a promising but relatively unknown runner for the U.S Olympic team. The next, President Obama was praising him at a White House reception and the athlete was making plans to visit 36 schools to tell his made-for-Hollywood story.

WASHINGTON - Drawing in everyone from Best Buy's Geek Squad to the Afghan war commander fired by her husband, Michelle Obama ramped up her campaign to support military families Tuesday and prodded everybody else in the country to get in on the act. The first lady, joined in the East Room by the president and Vice President Biden and wife Jill, launched "Joining Forces," an initiative to help military families who face a long list of special challenges, such...

* How to top a successful White House recipe challenge for kids? Have another one. Epicurious and first lady Michelle Obama are teaming up for the second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids' "State Dinner. " Kids ages 8-12 and their parents or guardians can submit an original lunch recipe through May 12 ( recipechallenge.epicurious.com , or mail to "The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge c/o Epicurious.com," 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 15th floor, New York, NY 10036). Winners get lunch at the White House with Mrs. Obama.

Michelle Obama, who last made an appearance in Philadelphia on July 18, will visit the region again on Thursday to campaign for President Obama. Campaign officials said she will participate in "grassroots events" in West Philadelphia, Montgomery County, and the Lehigh Valley. Details on the events - and how the public can get tickets - will be released in coming days, the campaign said. - Inquirer staff