A DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL SAYS PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA HAS CHOSEN GOP REP. RAY LAHOOD OF ILLINOIS TO BE HIS SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION. HE WOULD BE THE SECOND REPUBLICAN IN OBAMA'S CABINET. (ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE, IS THE OTHER.) OBAMA IS EXPECTED THIS WEEK TO ANNOUNCE HIS TWO TOP INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS -- A DECISION THAT HAS BEEN DELAYED BY AN INTERNAL DEBATE OVER CANDIDATES' TIES TO BUSH-ERA POLICIES ON INTERROGATIONS AND TORTURE.

Associated press