Alabama Executes Man For 1986 Double Murder

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - A man who kidnapped, robbed and killed an eastern Alabama couple in 1986 was executed by lethal injection on Thursday.

Birmingham Probes Beating Of Black Man By White Police

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - Police have placed two officers on paid administrative leave as part of an investigation into the apparent beating of a black man that was caught on tape.

Houston Police Identify Victim Of Apparent Gang Shooting

HOUSTON - Police on Thursday identified an 18-year-old former Worthing High School student killed in what appeared to be a gang-related shootout during a girls' football game on campus.

Oklahoma Plan Would Make It Easier To Fire Teachers

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla - An education reform bill that makes it easier for school boards to fire poor performing teachers was approved on Thursday by the Oklahoma state Senate.

Colorado Teen Suspected In Murder Of Grandparents

DENVER - A 16-year-old boy is under investigation for the murder of his great-grandparents, police said on Thursday, the second time in a month that a young male is suspected in a family killing in rural eastern Colorado.

Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Killing Three In Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y - A jury on Thursday found a 24-year-old man guilty of what attorneys on both sides called one of the worst mass shootings in the city's history.

NY's Bloomberg Hit With "third Term-itis": Poll

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is suffering so-called "third term-itis," with only 40 percent of voters approving of his job as good or excellent, a poll found on Thursday, down nearly 30 percent from 2008.

U.S. Traffic Deaths Dropped To New Low In 2010

WASHINGTON - U.S. traffic deaths dropped by 3 percent to a record annual low of 32,788 for 2010 even as motorists drove more in an improving economy, projected government figures showed on Friday.

Ohio Governor Signs Anti-union Bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Governor John Kasich signed on Thursday a bill that curbs collective bargaining rights and bans strikes affecting about 360,000 public workers, making Ohio the most populous state to pass anti-union legislation this year.

Wisconsin Suspends Enforcement Of Anti-union Law

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin suspended enforcement of a new law reducing public sector union powers on Thursday after a judge ruled it had not taken effect, while Ohio enacted a similar measure curbing collective bargaining by state employees.

Eight-time Los Angeles Gang Killer Sentenced To Life

LOS ANGELES - A former street gang leader convicted of murdering eight people in the mid-1990s was sentenced on Wednesday to consecutive life prison terms for each of his victims.

Ex-wife Of SAC's Cohen Has Lawsuit Dismissed

NEW YORK - A Manhattan federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the former wife of hedge fund manager Steven Cohen, who accused him of hiding assets from her when they split up.

Minkow Admits Guilt In U.S. Scam Aimed At Lennar

MIAMI - Barry Minkow, an ex-convict and Wall Street con artist who went on to win the trust of federal law enforcement officials, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy to commit securities fraud in a case involving leading U.S. homebuilder Lennar Corp.

Healthcare Workers Fired For Sexual Mistreatment Of Elderly

NEW YORK - Four nursing home workers in upstate New York were fired for sexually humiliating two elderly patients with a history of mental problems, a state report revealed this week.

Monster U.S. Online Jobs Index Rises In March

NEW YORK - A monthly gauge of online job postings in the United States rose nearly 9 percent in March compared with the same month a year ago, as demand for healthcare workers rose, a private research group said on Thursday.

New Charges Brought In Missouri Online Sex Torture Case

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A federal grand jury has returned an 18-count indictment against a Missouri couple accused of torturing a mentally impaired teenage girl in live webcasts while she was kept a virtual prisoner and sex slave in their trailer home.

At Least One Dead In Shooting At Houston High School

HOUSTON - At least one person died and several others were injured in a shooting on Wednesday evening on athletic fields at a local high school, police said.

Wisconsin Governor Releases Bond Restructuring Bill

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker released on Wednesday bond restructuring and other plans to close a current year budget gap that were cut from a controversial law to curb the powers of public sector unions.

Ohio Legislature Passes Bill Curbing Union Rights

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's legislature on Wednesday passed a Republican measure to curb the collective bargaining rights of about 350,000 state employees, and Governor John Kasich said he will sign it into law.

NY Legislature Passes $132 Billion Budget, No New Taxes

ALBANY, New York - The New York state legislature on Thursday passed a $132.5 billion spending plan, closing a $10 billion deficit with no new taxes or debt and instead relying on harsh cuts to education and healthcare.

Recovery Proving Uneven Among States: Report

WASHINGTON - The economic recession that began in 2007 was uniformly damaging to U.S. states, sparing just one or two from its effects, but the recovery is promising to be uneven across the country.

Court Affirms Exclusive Native American Use Of Eagle Feathers

DENVER - The U.S. government is allowed to bar non-Native Americans from using eagle feathers for religious purposes, even for rituals that imitate or borrow from Indian culture, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

Suspected "Holiday Bandit" Bank Robber Arrested

NEW YORK - A man suspected of being the "Holiday Bandit" after bank robberies this winter in New York and New Jersey was arrested in Queens on Tuesday, the FBI announced.

Virginia Tech Faces $55,000 Fine For 2007 Shootings Response

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Education said on Tuesday it will fine Virginia Tech $55,000 for waiting more than two hours to alert the campus of an April 2007 shooting.

Arizona Executes Condemned Killer By Lethal Injection

PHOENIX - The condemned killer of two convenience store employees was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday after losing an 11th-hour appeal that raised questions about the origins of drugs used in putting him to death.

FDA Chemist, Son Charged With Insider Trading

WASHINGTON - A U.S. Food and Drug Administration chemist and his son were charged with using inside information about drug approvals to reap more than $3.6 million in profits, in an embarrassing blow to the health industry regulator.

Judge Again Blocks Wisconsin's Anti-union Law

MADISON, Wisconsin - A Wisconsin judge issued a revised order on Tuesday blocking implementation of a controversial state law curbing collective bargaining by public unions while she hears a legal challenge to the proposed law.

Former Border Agent Gets 30 Years To Life In Hatchet Attack

SAN DIEGO - A former U.S. Border Patrol agent was sentenced to a prison term of 30 years to life on Tuesday for a bloody hatchet attack on a sleeping couple he mistook for his estranged wife and her boyfriend.

Arizona Enacts Ban On Abortions Based On Gender, Race

PHOENIX - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Tuesday signed into law a controversial bill that makes the state the first in the nation to outlaw abortions performed on the basis of the race or gender of the fetus.

Wal-Mart Gets Sympathetic Court Bias Case Hearing

WASHINGTON - Wal-Mart got a sympathetic hearing from several Supreme Court justices on Tuesday as the retailer sought to prevent female employees from bringing the largest class-action sex-discrimination lawsuit in history.

Miami Couple To Face Death Penalty In Child Murder Case

MIAMI - Florida state prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a Miami-Dade County couple charged with torturing and killing their 10-year-old adopted daughter and abusing her twin brother, a spokesman said on Monday.

Soldiers In Afghan Killings Operated Openly: U.S. Magazine

WASHINGTON - A group of U.S. Army soldiers accused of slaying unarmed Afghan civilians in cold blood did not act clandestinely as the Pentagon has implied but in plain view of their combat unit, Rolling Stone magazine reported on Monday.

States Struggle To Hang Up Prison Cell Phones

LOS ANGELES - Prison inmates are letting their fingers do the walking by orchestrating crimes with contraband cell phones, as states scramble for ways to fight back despite budget woes that limit their options.

Indiana Democrats End Stand-off On Union Rights

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana lawmakers ended a five-week standoff on Monday as Democrats wrung compromises in Republican-sponsored bills they see as part of a national push to strip U.S. public sector unions of bargaining rights.

Carter Meets Cuban Jews, No Talk Of Jailed U.S. Man

HAVANA - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter met with Cuban Jews on Monday at the start of a private three-day visit to the island, but he did not discuss with them a U.S. aid contractor jailed for allegedly providing illegal Internet access to Jewish groups.

Saudi Accused In Bomb Plot Pleads Not Guilty

LUBBOCK, Texas - A 20-year-old Saudi student indicted in a bomb plot with targets including the Dallas home of former President George W. Bush pleaded not guilty on Monday.

Smoke Seen, Controlled At New Hampshire Nuclear Plant

BOSTON - Smoke billowing from an equipment elevator at a New Hampshire nuclear plant briefly triggered an "unusual event" on Monday but did not impact operations or affect any employees, officials said.

Wal-Mart Opposes Big Sex-bias Case At Top Court

WASHINGTON - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will argue on Tuesday that the U.S. Supreme Court should halt the largest class-action sex-discrimination lawsuit in history by female employees who seek billions of dollars.

Soldiers In Afghan Killings Operated Openly: Report

WASHINGTON - A group of U.S. Army soldiers accused of killing unarmed Afghan civilians in cold blood did not act clandestinely as the Pentagon has implied but in plain view of their combat unit, Rolling Stone magazine reported on Monday.

U.S. Drops To 3rd In Clean-energy Investment: Pew

WASHINGTON - The United States fell one spot to third place in clean-energy investment last year as the lack of a national energy policy hurt purchases in wind and solar power and other technologies, a report said on Tuesday.

Low-level Radiation Found In Massachusetts Rainwater

BOSTON - Trace amounts of radioactive iodine linked to Japan's crippled nuclear power station have turned up in rainwater samples as far away as Massachusetts during the past week, state officials said on Sunday.

Many Hispanics Remain Cool To Organ Donation

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - When Norma Garcia's 13-year-old daughter was killed in a car wreck, she had no idea that in the midst of her grief she was about to plunge into a controversy that would test her cultural identity and Christian faith.

Four Indiana Teens Die In Crash After Spring Break

INDIANAPOLIS - Five people were killed, including four Indiana high school seniors returning from spring break, when a minivan plowed head on into the students' car on a rain-soaked highway in Alabama, authorities said on Sunday.

U.S. Nuclear Plant Says Shielded Against Japan Emergency

BROWNS FERRY, Alabama - A U.S. nuclear plant in Alabama similar in design to the earthquake-hit Fukushima facility in Japan has multiple defenses to prevent and tackle the same kind of emergency, its operator said.

Missing Cruise Ship Worker's Parents Seek Answers

LOS ANGELES - The parents of a Disney Cruise Line employee who disappeared during a voyage off Mexico last week met with investigators on Sunday seeking answers to their daughter's fate after the ship returned to its home port in Los Angeles.

Harry & David Preparing To File For Chapter 11: Report

NEW YORK - Harry & David Holdings Inc, the mail-order food company known for its fruit baskets and Moose Munch snacks, is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.

Fresh Controversy In Wisconsin Union Bill Fight

MADISON, Wis - Opponents of a bill stripping Wisconsin public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights rallied at the state Capitol on Saturday, the day after a state agency published the measure despite an order barring such a move.

Two Dead, 8 Hurt After Sailboat Capsizes Off San Diego

SAN DIEGO - Two men were killed and eight of their relatives were hurt when the family's rented sailboat capsized in San Diego Bay on Sunday evening, harbor police said.

Newspaper Bomb Injures Northern California Man

SAN FRANCISCO - Police in northern California are investigating the origins of a bomb that was concealed inside a newspaper and exploded when a man picked it up off his driveway on Sunday morning.

Storms Pelt Southeast With Large Hail For Second Day

CHICAGO - Severe thunderstorms storms that raked the Southeast with scattered tornadoes, large hail and high winds on Saturday reemerged across the region on Sunday after an overnight lull, meteorologists said.

Mississippi Says Prescription-only Law Works In Meth Fight

BILOXI, Mississippi -- Mississippi legislators last year put one of the nation's toughest anti-methamphetamine laws into effect -- and officials say the results so far are dramatic.

Wisconsin Republicans Say Anti-union Law In Effect

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Republicans said on Friday a measure stripping state public employees of most collective bargaining rights was now in effect after it was published by a legislative agency despite a judge's order against publication.

Drought Raising Risk Of More Western U.S. Wildfires

CHICAGO - Severe drought conditions across eastern Colorado and the western half of Kansas and Oklahoma are worsening the outlook for more wild fires in the region, climatologists said.

Cash-strapped States Struggle To Hang Up Prison Cell Phones

LOS ANGELES - Prison inmates are letting their fingers do the walking by orchestrating crimes with contraband cell phones, as states scramble for ways to fight back despite budget woes that limit their options.

Winning $312 Million Lottery Ticket Sold In NY State

WASHINGTON - The winning lottery ticket for an estimated $312 million jackpot was purchased in New York state, lottery operator Mega Millions said in a statement.

Geraldine Ferraro, First Woman On U.S. Presidential Ticket, Dies

WASHINGTON - Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic congresswoman who became the first woman on a major party presidential ticket as Walter Mondale's running mate in 1984, died on Saturday at the age of 75, her family said.

Pfizer Unit Recalls Two Possibly Mislabeled Drugs

CHICAGO - Pfizer Inc's Greenstone LLC unit said on Saturday that it was voluntarily recalling two drugs in the United States because they may have been labeled incorrectly by a third-party manufacturer.

Police Shoot Driver After Chase On Bronx Expressway

NEW YORK - Police shot dead a driver on a congested Bronx expressway on Saturday, after he crashed into several vehicles and tried to run down officers as they approached his car, authorities said.

Fresh Controversy In Wisconsin Union Bill Fight

MADISON, Wis - Opponents of a bill stripping Wisconsin public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights rallied at the state Capitol on Saturday, the day after a state agency published the measure despite an order barring such a move.

Winter Weather To Make Weekend Comeback In Some States

WASHINGTON - Cold weather, snow, and severe storms were expected over the weekend in several parts of the country, weather forecasters said on Saturday.

Kansas Lawmaker Suggests Immigrants Be Shot Like Hogs

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Petitions bearing some 55,000 signatures were delivered to the Kansas Capitol on Friday calling for the resignation of a legislator who suggested that illegal immigrants be shot like wild hogs.

Judge Orders Quick Trial In Philadelphia Church Sex Case

PHILADELPHIA - A judge on Friday skipped a preliminary hearing and ordered an immediate trial for a Catholic monsignor, two priests and others named in the sexual abuse scandal rocking the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

New Orleans Mayor, Police Chief Take Aim At Murder Rate

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans mayor and police chief vowed on Friday to better address violent crime in a city where the murder rate is more than 10 times the national average.

Two Denver Policemen Fired Over Beating Of Gay Man

DENVER - Two Denver police officers were fired on Friday for the 2009 beating of a gay man, captured on a surveillance camera, and then lying about the incident.

Northwest Jesuits In $166 Million Sex Abuse Settlement

PORTLAND, Oregon - The Pacific Northwest chapter of the Roman Catholic Church's Jesuit order has agreed to pay $166 million to settle more than 500 child sexual abuse claims against priests in five states, attorneys said on Friday.

Student Shot At Indiana Middle School

INDIANAPOLIS - A student who had been suspended from an Indiana middle school earlier this week was in custody after allegedly shooting another student at the school on Friday, police said.

NYC Tops U.S. In Private Jobs, Commercial Property: State

NEW YORK - New York City leads the nation in at least two areas: private-sector job growth and the commercial property market's revival, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report released on Friday.

Georgia Murder Suspect Surrenders, Hostages Freed

ATLANTA - A man suspected of killing one police officer and wounding another in Athens, Georgia, surrendered to police and also freed at least four hostages he was holding in a home there on Friday.

Wisconsin Republicans Say Anti-union Law In Effect

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Republicans said on Friday a measure stripping state public employees of most collective bargaining rights was now in effect after it was published by a legislative agency despite a judge's order against publication.

Huckabee Leads Republicans For President: Poll

BOSTON - Mike Huckabee holds a small lead in the field of potential Republican presidential candidates, while Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin have slipped, according to a Gallup Poll released on Friday.

Detroit Off Ten Biggest U.S. Cities, Replaced By San Jose

NEW YORK - The city of Detroit, which has suffered decline as its automakers struggled through economic hardship, has dropped out of the top ten largest U.S. cities since 2000, according to 2010 Census data released on Thursday.

Nevada Regulators Back Caesars' Internet Gambling Gambit

LAS VEGAS - Nevada regulators have approved the first marketing agreement between a Las Vegas hotel and casino company and an overseas Internet gambling concern, a move welcomed by advocates for legalized online gambling in the United States.

Missouri Senator Flies Coach After Flap Over Private Jet

ST. LOUIS - Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill was flying coach on a commercial flight to St. Louis on Thursday after days of battering from Republicans over her failure to pay taxes on a private jet she owns.

New York Bomb Plot Four Ask Judge To Dismiss Charges

NEW YORK - When four men planted what they thought were bombs outside two New York City synagogues were they predisposed to committing the crime? Or had they been encouraged by FBI promises of money and martyrdom?

Colorado Senate Backs Civil Unions For Same-sex Couples

DENVER - A bill in the Colorado legislature that would grant same-sex couples civil unions with certain legal rights passed the Democrat-controlled Senate on Thursday.

Lawmaker Blasts Makeshift California Maternity Ward For Asians

LOS ANGELES - A California lawmaker said on Thursday that what he called a maternity ward for Chinese mothers who wanted their babies born in the United States showed the need for immigration law changes.

UAW Protests Bank In Attempt To Gain Wider Support

DETROIT - The United Auto Workers, as part of an effort to broaden support among middle class Americans as it approaches bargaining with the three major U.S. automakers, on Thursday rallied at a downtown Detroit branch of the Bank of America

L.A.'s "Grim Sleeper" Suspect Indicted On 10 Murder Counts

LOS ANGELES - Prosecutors unsealed an indictment on Thursday charging an accused serial killer dubbed the "Grim Sleeper" with murdering 10 girls and women during a Los Angeles-area crime spree that spanned three decades.

Colorado Wildfire Forces Evacuation Of 9,500 Homes

DENVER - A wind-whipped wildfire forced the evacuation of 9,500 homes southeast of Denver on Thursday just as firefighters were gaining the upper hand on a separate blaze that has burned stubbornly for five days west of the city.

U.S. Postal Service To Cut 7,500 Jobs, Close Offices

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service said on Thursday it would cut 7,500 jobs and close seven district offices and 2,000 post offices as it handles less mail and faces greater staff costs and competition from FedEx and United Parcel Service.

U.S. Probing Why Washington Airport Tower Went Silent

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials said they are looking into why two passenger planes were unable to communicate with the air traffic control tower at Reagan Washington National Airport before landing early on Wednesday.

Suspected Spokane Bomb Plotter Pleads Not Guilty

SEATTLE - A Washington state man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to federal charges of attempting to plant a backpack bomb at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Spokane.

Wildfires Cause Evacuations In Two Oklahoma Towns

OKLAHOMA CITY - Wildfires caused evacuations in two northeast Oklahoma towns on Wednesday evening as dry and windy conditions continued to make the state vulnerable to sudden blazes.

U.S. Public Support For More Nuclear Power Slips

WASHINGTON - U.S. public support for expanding nuclear power appears to be slipping after Japan's nuclear crisis while New York's governor said on Tuesday an aging plant near New York City will be the top priority in a federal review of earthquake risk to such facilities.

U.S. Nuclear Agency Plans Safety Review Of Reactors

WASHINGTON - The top U.S. nuclear regulator on Wednesday approved the launch of a safety review of U.S. nuclear reactors sought by President Barack Obama in response to the ongoing crisis at Japan's Fukushima plant.

Hollywood Legend Elizabeth Taylor Dies At 79

LOS ANGELES - Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, whose violet eyes, tumultuous love life and passion for diamonds epitomized Hollywood glamour, died on Wednesday at age 79.

Legislators In Three States Pass New Restrictions On Abortion

PHOENIX - State lawmakers in Arizona, Kansas and Idaho moved on Wednesday to place new restrictions on abortion, as opponents of the procedure looked to seize on gains by conservatives in the November mid-term elections.

Arizona Shooting Suspect Moved To Missouri For Mental Evaluation

PHOENIX - Jared Loughner, the college dropout charged in January's Arizona shooting rampage, was moved to Missouri on Wednesday for mental evaluation, the government said in legal papers.

U.S. Soldier Gets 24 Years For Murdering Afghans

TACOMA, Washington - The first of five U.S. soldiers charged with killing unarmed Afghan civilians last year was sentenced Wednesday to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of premeditated murder.

Support Dips For California Governor's Budget Plan

SAN FRANCISCO - Support for California Governor Jerry Brown's plan to shut a $27 billion budget gap has eroded since he introduced it in January, a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed on Wednesday.

Texas Prosecutor's Death Was Suicide: Mexican Official

MCALLEN, Texas - Autopsy results show a South Texas prosecutor killed himself by ingesting poison over the weekend in Mexico, according to the Mexican state of Tamaulipas attorney general's office.

Washington State Man Indicted In MLK Day Bomb Plot

SEATTLE - A Washington state man accused of attempting to plant a backpack bomb at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade was indicted on federal charges on Tuesday.

Judge's Study Finds New Jersey Budget Cuts Fail Schools

PHILADELPHIA - A New Jersey judge on Tuesday said the state's school budget cuts fail to meet constitutional standards for education, dealing a political blow to Republican Gov. Chris Christie who has slashed education spending by more than $800 million.

Wal-Mart To Argue Sex-bias Case In U.S. Top Court

WASHINGTON - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will urge the Supreme Court next week to reject the largest class-action sex-discrimination lawsuit in history, brought by female employees who seek billion of dollars.

U.S. Border Cops Nab Migrants From Mexico In Marine Uniforms

PHOENIX - U.S. Border Patrol agents have arrested 13 illegal immigrants from Mexico dressed in fake U.S. Marine Corps uniforms, authorities said on Tuesday.

Tennessee Proposal To Curb Teachers Union Advances

NASHVILLE - A bill to limit Tennessee teacher's unions' abilities to negotiate for their members took a leap forward on Tuesday when it was approved by the state House Education Committee.

Detroit Population Drops To Lowest Level In 100 Years

DETROIT - Detroit's population dropped 25 percent over the last decade to its lowest level in a century, according to Census figures released on Tuesday.

U.S. Blocks Milk, Produce From Japan Near Nuclear Plant

WASHINGTON - The United States will block imports of milk and fresh produce from areas of Japan near a crippled nuclear power plant, the Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday.

New York Nuke Plant Seismic Review Gets Top Priority

ALBANY, New York - U.S. regulators have promised to make the Indian Point nuclear power plant near New York City their top priority in a review of seismic risk at U.S. nuclear plants, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday.

U.S. Public Support For More Nuclear Power Slips

WASHINGTON - U.S. public support for expanding nuclear power appears to be slipping after Japan's nuclear crisis while New York's governor said on Tuesday an aging plant near New York City will be the top priority in a federal review of earthquake risk to such facilities.

Officials Not Yet Ready Call Death In Mexico A Suicide

MCALLEN, Texas - Authorities said on Monday they were not yet ready to declare the death of a South Texas prosecutor in a Mexican border city as a suicide.

North Dakota, Minnesota Brace For Spring Storms, Flooding

MINNEAPOLIS - Flooding caused by ice jams forced closure of two central Minnesota highways on Monday, and looming early spring rain and snow storms have complicated river crest forecasts from North Dakota to western Wisconsin.

Photos Of U.S. Soldiers And Afghan Corpse Published

BERLIN - Germany's Der Spiegel magazine published photos on Monday of American soldiers posed over the bloodied corpse of an Afghan civilian whose slaying is being prosecuted by the U.S. military as premeditated murder.

Bribe-taking Federal Attorney Jailed For 18 Years

LOS ANGELES - A federal attorney who took nearly $500,000 in bribes from immigrants seeking to remain in the United States has been jailed for almost 18 years, authorities said on Monday.

U.S. Plans More Nuclear Inspections After Japan Crisis

WASHINGTON - U.S. nuclear regulators are launching additional inspections and considering a 90-day review of the country's 104 nuclear reactors in the wake of Japan's nuclear crisis, officials said on Monday.

Nancy Pelosi Briefly Hospitalized In Rome

ROME - House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi was released from a short stay in a hospital on Monday and is resuming her scheduled activities in Italy, spokesman Nadeam Elshami said.

Rising Gas Prices Eating Into Shopping Budgets

NEW YORK - Shoppers plan to wait until next year and beyond to spend generously again, a survey on Monday showed, in an early sign that rising gasoline prices could make the spring selling season tough for retailers.

Judge Orders Loughner Mental Evaluation In Missouri

PHOENIX - A federal judge on Monday ordered Jared Lee Loughner, the college dropout charged in January's Arizona shooting rampage, to undergo a mental evaluation in Missouri to see if he is competent to stand trial.

NY Times Journalists Released From Libyan Custody

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON - Libya released four New York Times journalists on Monday, nearly a week after they had been captured by Libyan forces while covering the conflict there, although three journalists for other outlets remained missing.

Americans Appear Wary Over U.S. Role In Libya

NEW YORK - Early comments online and in newspapers point to cautious American support for a limited role in bombing Libyan air defenses but wariness over entangling the United States in an ill-defined military mission.

BP Resumes Ops After Power Surges At Texas City Refinery

BP Plc reported flaring due to power surges on Sunday at its 437,000 barrel per day (bpd) Texas City, Texas, refinery, according to a notice filed with state regulators.

Day Care Operator Sought In Child Deaths Surrenders

LOS ANGELES - A woman who fled to Nigeria after a fire at her Houston, Texas day care facility that killed four children has surrendered to authorities, her mother said on Saturday.

Miniature Train Derails At Park, Killing 6-year-old Child

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A miniature train at a South Carolina park derailed and overturned on Saturday, killing a 6-year-old child and injuring at least 18 other people, authorities said.

Nebraska Couple Create Photo Exhibits Of U.S. War Dead

OMAHA, Neb - A traveling photo exhibit of 98 U.S. military from Nebraska and western Iowa killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars has inspired its creators to put together similar displays across the country.

U.S. Gasoline Prices Rise To $3.57/gallon: Survey

NEW YORK - Gasoline prices in the United States rose 6.65 cents per gallon over a two-week period, carried by the rise in crude oil prices stemming from the turmoil in Libya, an industry analyst said.

Super-moon To Rise On Saturday

NEW YORK - An especially large moon will appear to rise on Saturday in the most extreme example of a so-called super-moon phenomenon in nearly 20 years, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Islam Is All-American For One U.S. Muslim Leader

WASHINGTON - - Al Azhar, the centuries-old center of Islamic learning in Cairo, is a world away from Oklahoma City where William Suhaib Webb grew up.

Man Convicted Of Creating Counterfeit U.S. Currency

WASHINGTON - A North Carolina man was convicted for creating and distributing a counterfeit currency that was very similar to the real dollar, a U.S. Attorney said.

Warren Christopher, U.S. Negotiator, Dies At 85

WASHINGTON - Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who helped bring peace to Bosnia and negotiated the release of American hostages in Iran, died in California at age 85.

Substance In Gulf Of Mexico Likely Sediment, Not Oil

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - A reported "sheen" in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana is likely the result of large amounts of sediment, not spilled oil, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Sunday.

Andrew Jackson's Historic Dueling Pistol For Sale

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - Among the Oriental rugs and fine furniture at the annual Charleston International Antiques Show this weekend is President Andrew Jackson's dueling pistol, priced at $65,000.

Judge Says Tribune Co. Case Deadlocked: Report

CHICAGO - A judge said the Tribune Co.. bankruptcy case was deadlocked after two weeks of testimony in a federal court, the Chicago Tribune newspaper reported on Saturday.

Young Adult Americans Increase Daily Coffee Drinking

NEW ORLEANS - Young American adults have increased the amount of coffee they drink daily in 2011, after feeling better about their finances following the global economic crisis, a survey showed on Saturday.

San Francisco Tries Get Tough Approach With Homeless

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco prides itself on helping the homeless, and it even created a special committee for grievances from those kicked out of shelters.

Super-moon To Rise On Saturday

NEW YORK - An especially large moon will appear to rise on Saturday in the most extreme example of a so-called super-moon phenomenon in nearly 20 years, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Synthetic Drug, Subject Of Proposed Bans, Kill Teen

CHICAGO - Amid efforts by authorities to stop the use of illegal synthetic drugs, revelers at a spring break party in a Minneapolis suburb overdosed this week on the risky substances, leaving one dead, officials said on Saturday.

Day Care Operator Sought In Child Deaths Surrenders

LOS ANGELES - A woman who fled to Nigeria after a fire at her Houston, Texas day care facility that killed four children has surrendered to authorities, her mother said on Saturday.

Miniature Train Derails At Park, Killing 6-year-old Child

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A miniature train at a South Carolina park derailed and overturned on Saturday, killing a 6-year-old child and injuring at least 18 other people, authorities said.

New Mexico Governor Loses Bid To Block Licenses For Illegals

SANTA FE, New Mexico - New Mexico's newly elected Republican governor lost her attempt to deny driver's licenses to illegal immigrants on Saturday, when the bill died in the state Senate.

Warren Christopher, U.S. Negotiator, Dies At 85

WASHINGTON - Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who helped bring peace to Bosnia and negotiated the release of American hostages in Iran, died in California at age 85.

Woman Sentenced In Boston Wedding Show Scam

BOSTON - A Pittsburgh woman will be doing a perp walk, not a walk down the aisle, after being sentenced to more than five years in prison on Friday for running a fake bridal show in Boston.

Los Angeles Train Passengers Thwart Kidnapping Of Woman

LOS ANGELES - A crowd of train riders in Los Angeles stopped an attempted kidnapping when they fought off a registered sex offender who grabbed a young woman, police said on Friday.

Chicago Professor Who Probed Death Penalty Is Sidelined

CHICAGO - A Northwestern University journalism professor whose investigations of wrongful convictions were cited when Illinois recently banned the death penalty has been sidelined amid allegations that some of his students may have violated the law.

No Radiation Levels Of Concern Detected In U.S.: Government

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government on Friday said that "miniscule" amounts of radiation were detected in Sacramento, California, but that no radiation levels of concern have been uncovered in United States.

U.S. Attacked By Opponents At U.N. Human Rights Body

GENEVA - The United States was attacked for its human rights record on Friday as opponents including Cuba and Iran slammed its failure to close Guantanamo Bay and its decision to maintain military trials for terror suspects.

Idaho Teacher Union May Ask Voters To Overturn Curbs

SALMON, Idaho - The Idaho state teachers union said on Friday it may ask voters to overturn a just-passed law that curtails public school teachers' collective bargaining rights.

NYC Fire, Police Forces May Fall To Decade Lows

NEW YORK - New York City's firefighting staff would fall to the lowest number since 1980 while its police force would be cut back to its 1992 roster under Mayor Michael Bloomberg's austere budget plan, a report said Friday.

Libya Set To Release NY Times Journalists: Report

NEW YORK - Four New York Times journalists who were captured by Libyan forces while covering the conflict there will be released on Friday, the Times reported.

Judge Temporarily Blocks Wisconsin Anti-union Law

MADISON, Wis - A U.S. judge on Friday temporarily blocked a controversial new law in Wisconsin that strips public employee unions of key collective bargaining rights.

National Guard To Leave Mexico Border In June

PHOENIX, Arizona - More than a thousand National Guard troops brought in last year to shore security on the U.S.-Mexico border will go home in June, authorities said on Friday.

Unions Attack New Mexico Governor For Firing Labor Board

SANTA FE - New Mexico's governor broke the law by firing all members of the state's Labor Relations Board and unions seek to reverse the move by an appeal to the state Supreme Court, a union leader said on Thursday.

Utah Becomes First In U.S. To Designate Official State Gun

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah has become the first U.S. state to name an official firearm, placing an automatic pistol on a list of designated symbols, right along with the honeybee and the cutthroat trout.

Maine Takes Aim At Coyotes To Bolster Deer Population

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine officials unveiled a plan on Thursday to beef up the state's dwindling deer population, including paying hunters to kill more coyotes in affected areas.

Missouri Man Charged With Raping Twins Who Said They Married Him

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A Missouri man faces charges that he raped and assaulted twin sisters who have considered themselves married to him for almost 10 years.

Arizona Senate Votes Down Immigration Bills

PHOENIX - The Arizona Senate on Thursday rejected five immigration bills, placing a major stumbling block in the way of state conservatives' hopes to pass more laws cracking down on illegal immigrants.

Airline Co-pilot Charged With Flying Drunk

DENVER - A commercial airline pilot has been indicted on charges of flying drunk while serving as first officer in the cockpit of a United Express flight from Austin, Texas, to Denver in December of 2009.

Report Criticizes Immigrant Detention System

PHOENIX - Immigrants detained in the United States lack adequate access to legal representation and medical care, while the system itself is over reliant on detention, a human rights report released on Thursday found.

Camden, New Jersey To Hire Back Some Laid-off Police

PHILADELPHIA - Camden, New Jersey, forced to lay off nearly half its police force in a dramatic austerity measure at the start of the year, said on Thursday it will rehire nearly a third of the officers who were let go.

New York Governor Hits School Districts, Defends Education Cut

ALBANY, New York - Claiming local school districts are playing "political games," New York's governor on Thursday defended his $1.5 billion cut to education spending.

Quake Puts Dent In Rebounding Hawaiian Tourism

HONOLULU - Hawaiian tourism, a keystone of the state's economy just starting to rebound from a long slump, is taking a new hit from a plunge in Japanese leisure travel after the devastating earthquake and tsunami there.

New Health Statistics Show Americans Living Longer

ATLANTA - Life expectancy in the United States has reached an all-time high, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday.

U.S. Demands Art Museum Hand Over Egyptian Artifact

ST. LOUIS - A fight between the U.S. government and the St. Louis Art Museum over a death mask from ancient Egypt intensified on Wednesday as the government formally demanded the museum hand over the disputed object.

Florida Set To Replace Teacher Tenure With Merit Pay

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers gave final legislative approval on Wednesday to a bill aimed at replacing teacher tenure with a merit-based system, in the latest clash between a U.S. state government and public employee unions.

Washington Post Apologizes For Plagiarism

PHOENIX - The Washington Post apologized to an Arizona daily newspaper on Wednesday after a two-time Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter plagiarized coverage of accused Tucson gunman Jared Loughner.

States And Cities Face More Rating Cuts: Moody's

NEW YORK - U.S. states, cities, towns and other issuers of municipal debt likely will suffer more credit downgrades than upgrades in 2011, with the overall outlook negative for the third straight year, Moody's Investors Service said on Thursday.

Oklahoma Senate Passes Arizona-style Immigration Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma state Senate on Wednesday approved an Arizona-style immigration bill that gives police the authority to verify the citizenship status of motorists during legal traffic stops.

U.S. Travel Group Urges Overhaul To Aviation Screening

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration should adopt a trusted traveler program and order airlines to permit travelers to check one bag for free to make airport screening faster and encourage more travel, a leading industry group said on Wednesday.

California Lawmakers Approve Some Budget Plan Bills

SACRAMENTO - California lawmakers on Wednesday approved eight of 20 bills making up Governor Jerry Brown's state budget plan but did not take up its cornerstone, legislation asking voters to extend tax increases.

NRC Head Says U.S. Could Handle Nuclear Crisis

WASHINGTON - The head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Gregory Jaczko, told lawmakers on Wednesday he strongly believes the United States could "mitigate" the impact of a nuclear crisis similar to the one unfolding in Japan.

Legal Challenge Filed Against Wisconsin's Anti-union Law

MILWAUKEE - The legal challenge to the new Wisconsin law that curbs the union rights of public workers moved forward on Wednesday with the filing of a formal complaint against the Republican lawmakers who steered the bill through the legislature.

New York Mosque Project Site Faces Legal Challenge

NEW YORK - A New York building set to be demolished for an Islamic cultural center and mosque should be preserved as a monument of the September 11 al Qaeda attacks, opponents of the mosque project said in court Tuesday.

Montana Medical Pot Suppliers Accused Of Trafficking

HELENA, Montana - Montana's medical marijuana law was used to conceal large-scale drug trafficking by pot dispensaries and growers raided in 13 cities across the state, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Prosecutors Charge Rockefeller Imposter With 1985 Murder

LOS ANGELES - Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter had posed as a member of the wealthy Rockefeller clan, served prison time for kidnapping his daughter and been the subject of a made-for-TV movie.

NY Governor Seeks "unfettered Power" For Commissioners

NEW YORK - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget plan gives some of his commissioners "unfettered power" to cut the Medicaid program and close upstate prisons, the state comptroller said in a report on Tuesday.

Angry Voters Oust Miami-Dade Mayor In Special Vote

MIAMI - Voters in Miami-Dade, one of the most populous U.S. counties, removed Mayor Carlos Alvarez from office in a special vote on Tuesday triggered by popular anger over a hike in property taxes.

U.S. Agents Seize Georgia Execution Drug Supply

ATLANTA - U.S. authorities seized Georgia's supply of a drug used in executions on Tuesday because of concerns about how it was imported, a move praised by death penalty opponents.

Quake-prone California Questions Nuclear Safety

LOS ANGELES - Californians have long had an uneasy relationship with their two nuclear power plants, and the crisis in Japan raises new doubts about how long nuclear power will survive in the earthquake-prone state.

U.S. To Review Drug Supply After Japan Reactor Breach

BOSTON - The Obama administration will study distribution policies for a drug to protect against the effects of radiation as part of a review of the implications of Japan's ongoing nuclear disaster, a government spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Utah Governor Signs Immigration Law Like Arizona

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's governor on Tuesday signed a package of immigration laws including one that would allow a police crackdown on illegal immigrants similar to Arizona's attempt last year.

Wisconsin Republicans Retreat From Procedural Threat

MADISON, Wis - Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate dropped a threat on Tuesday to deny 14 Democratic counterparts the right to vote in the chamber because they fled to Illinois last month.

Ohio Lawmakers Seek Death Penalty Ban As Fiscal Fix

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Lawmakers hoping to abolish Ohio's death penalty said on Monday they plan to promote the proposed ban as a way to help the state close its $8 billion budget gap.

Japan Crisis Should Not Deter Iowa Nuclear Plants: Official

DES MOINES, Iowa - Japan's nuclear plant crisis spurred by the earthquake and tsunami should not deter planning for a second nuclear power station in Iowa, the state's lieutenant governor said on Monday.

Last Defendant In Alaska Corruption Case Pleads Guilty

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The last defendant in a wide-ranging federal investigation into Alaska political corruption pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor offense, part of a deal to avoid federal charges.

Warmer Temperatures Could Start Flooding In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS - Parts of the Mississippi and other rivers around Minneapolis and St. Paul could reach flood stage by the weekend as rising temperatures bring a sustained thaw, the National Weather Service said on Monday.

Federal Agents Raid Montana Medical Marijuana Facilities

HELENA, Montana - Federal agents raided state-sanctioned medical marijuana greenhouses and dispensaries in several Montana cities on Monday, prompting an outcry from legalized pot suppliers.

"Bomb House" Suspect Pleads Guilty To Bank Robbery

SAN DIEGO - The man whose San Diego-area home was found so packed with explosives that authorities decided to burn it down pleaded guilty on Monday to two armed bank robberies.

Special Report: Big California Quake Likely To Devastate State

SAN FRANCISCO - California will experience unthinkable damage when the next powerful quake strikes, probably within 30 years, even though the state prides itself on being on the leading edge of earthquake science.

Japan Accident Spooks Three Mile Island Residents

MIDDLETOWN, Pennsylvania - Judy Stare remembers the day 32 years ago when she and her family fled from the melting core of the nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island.

Bus Driver In Deadly New York Crash Faces Scrutiny

NEW ROCHELLE, New York - Investigators of the weekend bus crash that killed 15 people on a New York highway said on Monday they want to know what the driver was doing for the 72 hours leading up to the horrific accident.

Wisconsin Democrats Say Down But Not Out In Union Fight

MADISON, Wis - Scott Walker, Wisconsin's newly elected Republican governor, won his battle last week to get the curbs he backed on public-sector unions approved by the state legislature and signed into law.

Psychedelic Icon Owsley Stanley Dies In Australia

LOS ANGELES - Owsley "Bear" Stanley, a 1960s counterculture figure who flooded the flower power scene with LSD and was an early benefactor of the Grateful Dead, died in a car crash in his adopted home country of Australia on Sunday, his family said. He was 76.

Japan Tsunami Grazes Americas But Impact Light

SAN FRANCISCO/SANTIAGO - Tsunamis triggered by Japan's devastating earthquake that prompted evacuations on the Pacific coast of North and South America caused flooding as far away as Chile Saturday, but damage was limited.

Police, NTSB Probe Hit-and-run Claim In NY Bus Crash

NEW YORK - Police are investigating a bus driver's hit-and-run claim after a horrific bus crash that killed 14 passengers and injured 18 others, officials said on Sunday.

Jewish Prayer Ritual Alarms Alaska Airlines Crew

LOS ANGELES - An orthodox Jewish prayer observance by three passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines flight on Sunday alarmed flight attendants unfamiliar with the ritual, prompting them to lock down the cockpit and issue a security alert, officials said.

Murder Trial To Open In Buffalo NY Mass Shooting

BUFFALO, New York - A former gang member accused of opening fire on a group to settle a dispute outside a downtown restaurant will stand trial this week in the murder of a newlywed groom and three other people.

Pilot Survives Helicopter Crash At Raytheon Near L.A.

LOS ANGELES - A helicopter crashed on Sunday while lifting equipment from the top of a low-rise office and laboratory building at Raytheon Co.'s aerospace development complex near Los Angeles, but the pilot survived.

New Jersey Floodwaters Crest, 2,000 Homes Evacuated

NEW YORK - Major flooding continued along the Passaic River in northern New Jersey on Sunday after the river crested at Little Falls nearly 5 feet above flood stage late on Saturday, meteorologists said.

Iran To Put Americans On Trial Again In May: Report

TEHRAN - Iran will put three Americans facing spying charges on trial for the second time on May 11, an official was quoted Sunday as saying by the official IRNA news agency.

Japan Accident Spooks Three Mile Island Residents

MIDDLETOWN, Pennsylvania - Judy Stare remembers the day 32 years ago when she and her family fled from the melting core of the nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island.

Wisconsin Democrats Say Down But Not Out In Union Fight

MADISON, Wis - Scott Walker, Wisconsin's newly elected Republican governor, won his battle last week to get the curbs he backed on public-sector unions approved by the state legislature and signed into law.

Grass Fires Destroy At Least 54 Oklahoma Homes

OKLAHOMA CITY - At least 54 homes were destroyed by wind-driven grass fires that spread quickly through drought-stricken Oklahoma, but that damage figure will climb after state-wide assessments are completed, officials said on Saturday.

Rain-swollen Rivers Begin To Crest In Northeast

PHILADELPHIA - Some roads in Pennsylvania were closed and residents of a New Jersey town evacuated their homes, as rain-swollen rivers began cresting on Saturday.

Japan Radiation Leak Evokes Three Mile Island

LONDON - The radiation leak in Japan immediately recalls memories of accidents at the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island power stations, and how it unfolds will be a critical test for international acceptance of nuclear energy.

More Than 800 Motorists Rescued After North Dakota Storm

CHICAGO - More than 800 motorists had to be rescued after a fast-moving blizzard stranded hundreds of vehicles on North Dakota roads, officials said on Saturday.

America's Game Faces Backlash In Damaging Dispute

MIAMI - The worst fears of NFL fans were confirmed Saturday when America's most successful sports league announced a lockout which threatens the 2011 season.

NFL Announces Lockout Of Players

MIAMI - The NFL officially announced a lockout of players by team owners following the move by the players' union to dissolve themselves and pursue court action against the league, the NFL said in a statement Saturday.

Up To 100,000 Protest Wisconsin Law Curbing Unions

MADISON, Wisconsin - Up to 100,000 people protested at the Wisconsin state Capitol on Saturday against a new law curbing the union rights of public workers that is seen as one of the biggest challenges in decades facing U.S. organized labor.

U.S. Contractor Sentenced To 15 Years In Cuba Trial

HAVANA - U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes against the Cuban state, state-run television reported on Saturday, in the latest setback to relations between two Cold War enemies.

Japan Tsunami Grazes Americas But Impact Light

SAN FRANCISCO/SANTIAGO - Tsunamis triggered by Japan's devastating earthquake that prompted evacuations on the Pacific coast of North and South America caused flooding as far away as Chile Saturday, but damage was limited.

Deaths From New York Tour Bus Crash At 14

NEW YORK - The death toll rose to 14 on Saturday after a tour bus carrying sleeping gamblers returning from a Connecticut casino flipped over in the Bronx, shearing off its roof.

Oklahoma Grass Fires Rage, Emergency Declared

OKLAHOMA CITY - Grass fires spread by gusting winds swept through parts of Oklahoma on Friday, prompting authorities to dispatch helicopters, bulldozers and hundreds of firefighters to control the blazes.

North Dakota Lawmakers Vote To Keep "Fighting Sioux"

BISMARCK, North Dakota - Jumping into a dispute over college sports mascots that some Native American groups consider offensive, North Dakota lawmakers on Friday passed a bill requiring the University of North Dakota to keep its "Fighting Sioux" nickname and Indian head logo.

Judge Hears Arguments In Muslim Abuse Case

NEW YORK - After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Muslims and Arabs were illegally targeted and detained by the U.S. government without proper suspicion of ties to terrorism, a rights lawyer told a New York judge on Friday.

Maryland Gay Marriage Proposal Shelved

WASHINGTON - Maryland's same sex marriage proposal was shelved on Friday, in a setback for gay rights supporters who expected this legislative session to be their best chance to date for passage.

Alaska Militia Charged In Murder-kidnap Plot

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Five Fairbanks-area residents involved in a loose-knit militia group have been arrested in connection with a plot to kidnap or kill Alaska state troopers and a local judge, federal and state authorities said on Friday.

Chipotle Says "lost" 40 Illegal Workers In Capital

LOS ANGELES - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc has "lost" about 40 workers in two of its Washington, D.C., restaurants after an internal review showed they were not authorized to work in the United States.

Cuba Frees Dissident Who Won Award From Bush

HAVANA - One of Cuba's leading dissidents, Oscar Elias Biscet, was freed from prison Friday and vowed to keep protesting against the government that had just released him.

Kia Recalls More Than 70,000 Optima Sedans

DETROIT - Kia Motors Corp is recalling more than 70,000 Optima sedans because the shift cable may have been installed incorrectly and cause parked vehicles to roll away.

American Energy Companies Brace For Tsunami

NEW YORK - Energy companies with operations along the Pacific coast of North and South America were on alert on Friday for the possibility of a tsunami set off by a massive earthquake off Japan.

Tsunami Grazes Americas But Impact Slight

SAN FRANCISCO/QUITO - Thousands of people fled their homes along the Pacific coast of North and South America on Friday as a tsunami triggered by Japan's massive earthquake reached the region but spared it from major damage.

Two Mature Bald Eagles Found Shot In Rural Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - A national symbol -- the bald eagle -- appears to be under attack in rural Tennessee.

Washington State Mother Charged In Newborn Decapitation

SEATTLE - A 25-year-old woman accused of decapitating her live, prematurely born infant son with a kitchen knife faced first-degree murder charges on Thursday during an initial court appearance in western Washington state.

New York Scam Artist Gets 20 Years To Life In Prison

NEW YORK - A veteran scam artist was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison on Thursday on charges he swindled people by pretending they broke his liquor bottle and demanding they pay for it.

U.S. Border Town Mayor Arrested On Gun Running Charges

EL PASO, Texas The mayor and police chief of a small town on the U.S.-Mexico border were among 11 suspects indicted for allegedly trafficking around 200 guns to Mexico, authorities said on Thursday.

Over 8,000 Union Protesters Converge On Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - Over 8,000 workers converged on the Indiana statehouse on Thursday to protest proposed legislation they say would weaken unions and public schools.

"The Wire" Actress Arrested In Baltimore Drug Sweep

WASHINGTON - Felicia Pearson, an ex-con who played a drug gangster named Snoop on the HBO television drama "The Wire," was one of dozens arrested in a real-life heroin trafficking bust announced on Thursday in Baltimore.

New York High School Student Accused Of Acid Attack

NEW YORK - A New York City high school student was arraigned on felony charges on Thursday for allegedly trying to burn a classmate's eyes with acid during chemistry class, prosecutors said.

House Panel Delves Into Muslims Radicalization

WASHINGTON - Muslim Americans must do more to combat Islamic radicalization as al Qaeda targets them to help carry out terrorism plots, a lawmaker said on Thursday as he convened hearings critics said unfairly singled out Muslims.

Gabrielle Giffords Plans To Attend Husband's Shuttle Launch

TUCSON, Arizona - Wounded Representative Gabrielle Giffords, recovering from being shot at a community event in January, plans to attend the launch of her astronaut husband's space shuttle mission next month, an aide said on Thursday.

Wisconsin Passes Anti-union Law In Labor Rebuke

MADISON - The Wisconsin state Assembly on Thursday approved sweeping restrictions on public sector unions in a stinging rebuke of the labor movement that critics fear will encourage other states to follow.

Wisconsin Governor A Polarizer, Not A Compromiser

MADISON, Wisconsin - When Scott Walker, Wisconsin's new Republican governor, kicked off his campaign for the job nearly two years ago, he vowed to take this state, with its long progressive history, in "a new direction."

U.S. Deports Canadian In Alaska Pipeline Bomb Plot

LOS ANGELES - A Canadian man convicted and sent to federal prison for plotting to blow up the Trans Alaska Pipeline a decade ago has been deported to his home country, U.S. immigration officials said on Wednesday.

Iowa House Debates Bill Limiting Public Union Bargaining

DES MOINES - The Iowa House began debate of a controversial labor bill on Wednesday that Republicans say makes common sense changes to Iowa's labor rules, while Democrats say it will "gut" the state's collective bargaining law.

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Saudi Accused In U.S. Bomb Plot

LUBBOCK, Texas - A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a 20-year-old Saudi student accused in a bomb plot with targets including the Dallas home of former President George W. Bush.

Oklahoma House Passes Bill Banning Abortion After 20 Weeks

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of gestation.

Illinois Governor Signs Death Penalty Ban

CHICAGO - The governor of Illinois signed a law on Wednesday ending capital punishment, saying it was impossible to fix a system that wrongly condemned 20 men who were later found to be innocent.

Attorney General Warns Against Alienating Muslims

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday warned against alienating the U.S. Muslim community, in a veiled criticism of a congressional probe into the radicalization of Muslims at home.

Seven Children Die In Pennsylvania Farmhouse Fire

PITTSBURGH - Fire engulfed a farmhouse in Pennsylvania, killing seven children while their mother milked cows in a nearby barn and their father was out driving a milk delivery truck, police said on Wednesday.

Accused Tucson Shooter Says Not Guilty Of New Charges

TUCSON, Ariz - Tucson shooting rampage suspect Jared Loughner pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to an expanded, 49-count indictment that set the stage for prosecutors to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

Wisconsin Senate Passes Union Curbs As Protesters Rally

MADISON - Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate approved sweeping curbs on collective bargaining by public employees on Wednesday in an abrupt and accelerated vote that caught many Democrats by surprise.

Tips Follow Show On 3 Missouri Women Missing Since 1992

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Police in Springfield, Missouri, received a dozen calls and some possibly useful tips on Tuesday after the airing of a cable television show about three women who disappeared in 1992.

Behind Public Standoff, Wisconsin Lawmakers Talked

MADISON - While sparring in public, Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker and Democrats have quietly talked about making some changes to the governor's proposal to curtail public sector union power, according to emails released on Tuesday.

Philadelphia Church Places 21 Priests On Leave Amid Sex Charges

PHILADELPHIA - Slammed by a grand jury report and two civil lawsuits detailing alleged sexual abuse of minors by clergy, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Tuesday placed 21 priests on administrative leave and apologized for "this great evil."

New Mexico Wildfire Uncontained, Threatens Homes

SANTA FE, New Mexico - A wildfire burning in southwestern New Mexico remains 80 percent out of control, threatening 500 structures and keeping 100 people evacuated from their homes, state forestry officials said on Tuesday.

Millions Of Dead Sardines Swamp L.A.

REDONDO BEACH, California - Millions of dead sardines were found floating on Tuesday in a harbor marina just south of Los Angeles, creating a bizarre scene that experts blamed on a case of oxygen deprivation.

U.S. Approves Eight More Airports For Cuba Flights

HAVANA - The government has given permission to eight more airports to offer direct charter flights to and from Cuba in the latest small opening in the 49-year-long trade embargo against the communist island.

Two-thirds Of States Cut Mental Healthcare Funds: Advocacy Group

WASHINGTON - Two-thirds of states cut mental health funding from their general fund budgets over the last two years, according to a report released by a mental illness advocacy group on Wednesday.

Jury To Hear Gripping Opening Of Rajaratnam Trial

NEW YORK - The biggest Wall Street insider trading criminal case in a generation goes to trial on Wednesday, when prosecutors open their case against Galleon Group founder Raj Rajaratnam whose arrest 16 months ago shook the hedge fund world.

House Panel To Examine Muslim Radicalization

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives will investigate radicalization in the American-Muslim community, sparking outrage that the probe is a witchhunt akin to the 1950s anti-Communist campaign.

Idaho Passes Republican Bill To Curb Union Rights

CHICAGO - The Idaho state legislature approved a bill on Tuesday to strip public school teachers of many of their collective bargaining rights while protesters in six states rallied against Republican efforts to curb union power.

License Fraud For Chinese Immigrants Brings 4-year Sentence

ATLANTA, March 7 ( Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday sentenced a Brooklyn, New York man to four years in prison for conspiring with a state examiner in Georgia to sell fraudulent driver's licenses to 300 illegal immigrants from China.

New Mexico Wildfire Burns Homes, Forces Evacuations

SANTA FE, New Mexico - A wildfire burning out of control in southwestern New Mexico has destroyed several homes and threatened hundreds more, prompting evacuations, authorities said on Monday.

Japan Halts Pfizer And Sanofi Vaccines After Four Die

TOKYO - Japan's health ministry halted the use of vaccines made by Pfizer Inc and Sanofi-Aventis SA that prevent meningitis and pneumonia following the deaths of four children.

Supreme Court Won't Review Drug Patent Deal

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court let stand a ruling that drug companies can pay rivals to delay production of generic drugs without violating federal antitrust laws.

Poll Shows 30 Percent Of Young Drivers Text At The Wheel

LOS ANGELES - A new poll shows young drivers are more likely to use cell phones while driving, and that 30 percent of them have recently texted from behind the wheel, transportation officials said on Monday.

Two-week Gasoline Price Rise Second Biggest Ever

WASHINGTON - U.S. retail gasoline prices soared another 13.7 cents over the last week to a national average of $3.52 a gallon, rising 33.1 cents during the last two weeks, the Energy Department said on Monday.

East Coast Rapist May Have Dozen More Victims

MANASSAS, Virginia - The so-called East Coast Rapist may have as many as a dozen more victims than those in 17 attacks authorities have already said they believe he committed, Virginia police said on Monday.

Rajaratnam Faces Jury In Insider Trading Case

NEW YORK - The criminal trial of Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam begins on Tuesday with jury selection in a case at the heart of the biggest insider trading investigation in a generation.

Prosecutors Ask For Mental Evaluation Of Jared Loughner

PHOENIX - Federal prosecutors on Monday asked a judge to order that accused Tucson mass shooter Jared Loughner be tested to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial.

Wisconsin's Walker Dismisses Democratic Overture

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker dismissed as "ridiculous" a request on Monday from the leader of absent Senate Democrats to meet and negotiate a compromise in their standoff over Republican plans to limit public sector union powers.

East Coast Rapist Suspect Due In Court On Monday

NORWICH, Connecticut - The man police identified as the East Coast Rapist, sought in 17 attacks over more than a decade, is due to appear in New Haven Superior Court on Monday.

Couple Overcomes Groom's Illness With Skype Wedding

LOS ANGELES - A California couple whose wedding plans appeared thwarted when a lung infection landed the groom in the isolation ward of a hospital got married anyway over the weekend, in a ceremony conducted over Skype.

Alamo 175th Has Different Tone In Changing Texas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Ceremonies marking the Battle of the Alamo kicked off on Sunday at 6 a.m., the exact hour the Mexican Army's final assault began on the old Spanish mission church 175 years ago.

Scientists Monitor New Eruptions At Hawaii Volcano

HONOLULU - Scientists on Sunday were closely monitoring heightened activity at Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, after a fissure sent lava spewing 65 feet in the air.

Iditarod Competition Underway With Official Restart

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The serious competition in the world's most famous sled-dog race began on Sunday afternoon as 62 mushers and their dog teams sped around an ice-covered lake and into the Alaska wilderness.

Lawmaker Sees Threat From Radicalized U.S. Muslims

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee said on Sunday he saw a security threat from organized al Qaeda efforts to radicalize American Muslims.

Lockheed Union Workers Approve Labor Pact

ATLANTA - Defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp said on Sunday union workers voted to ratify a three-year labor pact that provides annual pay increases and a ratification bonus.

Rain And Snow Forecast For East On Sunday And Overnight

WASHINGTON - Rain and snow were due to strike much of the East on Sunday and overnight, affecting states from Tennessee and North Carolina through New England, with the Northeast especially hard hit, forecasters said.

Cuban Court To Rule In U.S. Contractor Case

HAVANA - A Cuban court will rule in a few days on whether U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross is guilty of crimes against the state after prosecutors presented evidence he was involved in a "subversive project" to "defeat the revolution," the Cuban government said on Saturday.

Muslims, Supporters Protest Congressional Hearing

NEW YORK - Muslims, activists and supporters demonstrated in Times Square on Sunday to protest a Congressional hearing on radicalization of U.S. Muslims.

Researchers Seek Causes Of Honeybee Colony Collapse

SOUTH DEERFIELD, Massachusetts - Birds do it, fleas do it but when bees do it, the value is $212 billion to the world economy.

Transplant Patients A Target Of Arizona Budget Cuts

PEORIA, Arizona - A pacemaker and defibrillator fitted to carpenter Douglas Gravagna's failing heart makes even rising from the couch of his Phoenix-valley home a battle.

U.S. Military's Mini Space Shuttle Lifts Off

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - A prototype miniature space shuttle blasted off aboard an unmanned Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Saturday for a demonstration run that could last as long as nine months.

Six Wounded In Los Angeles Party Shooting

LOS ANGELES - Unknown gunmen shot and wounded six people at a house party in South Los Angeles early on Saturday, injuring one critically, police said.

Court Martial Recommended For Fort Hood Shooting Suspect

HOUSTON - A U.S. Army official has recommended that the Army major charged in the 2009 shooting rampage at a Texas Army base face a court martial and possible death penalty charges, the Army said on Friday.

Grueling Iditarod Sled Race Starts In Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska's most grueling dog sled race started with an 11-mile jaunt around Anchorage on Saturday, a prelude to a bleak trek over 1,100 miles of wind-whipped trails in sub-zero temperatures.

Northwestern Prof Apologizes For Live Sex Act

CHICAGO - A Northwestern University professor who allowed an on-campus presentation of a live sex act during an after-class event apologized on Saturday and said it would not happen again.

Protesters Rally In Wisconsin After Governor Threatens Layoffs

MADISON, Wisconsin - Thousands of union supporters protested Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposals on Saturday at the state capital, a day after the state's chief executive followed through on his threat to issue layoff warning notices to unions representing state workers.

Reid's Prostitution Remarks Ignite Debate In Nevada

LAS VEGAS - When Harry Reid, the veteran Democratic senator from Nevada, brought up the idea last month of abolishing prostitution in the state, he did so almost as an aside -- a few lines in an eight-page speech.

Cuban Court To Rule In U.S. Contractor Case

HAVANA - A Cuban court will rule in a few days on whether U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross is guilty of crimes against the state after prosecutors presented evidence he was involved in a "subversive project" to "defeat the revolution," the Cuban government said on Saturday.

Maryland Gay Marriage Bill Moves Forward

WASHINGTON - A bill that could make Maryland the eighth state to effectively allow gay marriage cleared a key committee on Friday, but supporters said its future was still uncertain.

East Coast Rapist Suspect Arrested Where One Attack Occurred

NEW YORK - A New Haven, Connecticut man suspected of being the East Coast rapist, sought in 17 attacks over more than a decade including one in New Haven, was arrested on Friday, authorities said.

New Mexico Advances Bill To Ban Licenses For Illegals

SANTA FE - New Mexico lawmakers passed a bill to ban undocumented immigrants from getting driver's licenses on Friday, advancing legislation backed by newly elected Republican governor Susana Martinez.

Neo-Nazi "adopted" Highway May Be Named For Holocaust Survivor

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Missouri lawmakers will back a plan to name a stretch of highway for a Holocaust survivor, three years after a neo-Nazi group "adopted" it in a litter-clearing program, the bill's sponsor said on Friday.

Accused Arizona Shooter Loughner Newly Charged

PHOENIX - Federal prosecutors on Friday unsealed an expanded 49-count indictment against Tucson shooting rampage suspect Jared Lee Loughner, setting in motion the formal process of deciding whether to seek the death penalty.

Gun-toting Tea Party Activists Rally In Montana

HELENA, Montana - About two dozen gun-toting Tea Party activists staged a rally at the Montana statehouse on Friday to support the Second Amendment right to bear arms and limiting the reach of the federal government.

Wisconsin Layoffs Loom Amid Budget Impasse

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker issued layoff warning notices on Friday to unions representing state workers as a battle intensified between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over union bargaining rights that has sparked protests and a national debate.

Colorado Boy, 12, Charged In Murders Of Parents

DENVER - A 12-year-old boy was charged on Friday with murdering his parents and gravely wounding two of his siblings in a shooting and stabbing rampage in an eastern Colorado farming town.

Court Martial Recommended For Fort Hood Shooting Suspect

HOUSTON - A U.S. Army official has recommended that the Army major charged in the 2009 shooting rampage at a Texas Army base face a court martial and possible death penalty charges, the Army said on Friday.

Aid Contractor Gross Goes On Trial In Cuba

HAVANA - An American aid contractor who worked in a U.S. program aimed at undermining Cuba's communist government went on trial on Friday, accused of crimes against the state, but no verdict was reached and testimony will continue on Saturday, trial observers said.

Veteran Shuttle Astronaut John "Mike" Lounge Dies At 64

HOUSTON - Former astronaut John "Mike" Lounge, who flew into orbit as part of three space shuttle crews, including the first mission after the 1986 Challenger disaster, died on Tuesday at age 64, NASA said on Thursday.

Ex-CIA Official Gets 65 Months In Prison For Assault

WASHINGTON - A former CIA station chief in Algeria was sentenced on Thursday to more than five years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman at the U.S. embassy in Algiers and for cocaine use, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Police Link Arizona Beheading To Mexican Drug Cartel

PHOENIX - Police have tied the October beheading of a man in a Phoenix suburb to Mexican drug cartels, saying it was rare for such a bloody killing to take place north across the border.

Wyoming Law Allowing Guns Without Permit Prompts Doubts

SALMON, Idaho - Gun-control advocates on Thursday called a new Wyoming law that allows residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit a "troublesome trend" in Western states.

Navy Admirals, Others Censured Over Lewd Videos

WASHINGTON - Several past top officers of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, including two rear admirals, have been recommended for censure following an investigation into lewd videos shown on the ship, the Navy announced on Thursday.

Texas Approves Bill Requiring Sonogram Before Abortion

AUSTIN, Tex - Women seeking an abortion would have to first get an ultrasound under a measure approved on Thursday by the Texas House of Representatives.

California Girl Fled To Escape Arranged Marriage

LOS ANGELES - A 13-year-old Southern California girl who ran away from home to escape an arranged marriage in Pakistan has been taken into protective custody by child welfare authorities, police said on Thursday.

New Jersey Governor Wants Reform Of Teacher Ratings

TRENTON, New Jersey - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Thursday recommended teachers be rated on the basis of student performance, adding to the debate over job evaluations as states look to layoffs to address budget gaps.

Arizona Shooting Suspect Wants Prison Conduct Confidential

PHOENIX - Lawyers for Tucson shooting rampage suspect Jared Lee Loughner are seeking to block federal prison officials from furnishing psychological records and information about his behavior to the FBI and prosecutors while he remains in custody.

Wisconsin's Walker Says Layoff Notices Imminent

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker warned on Thursday that unless the state legislature approves a plan to reduce the power of public sector unions he will soon begin preparing layoff notices to state workers.

Husband Drives 100 Mph With Wife On Hood - Police

LOS ANGELES - A man high on methamphetamine drove with his wife on the hood of their minivan for more than 40 miles, hitting speeds of 100 mph, police said on Wednesday.

Colorado Boy, 12, Arrested In Shooting Deaths

DENVER - A 12-year-old boy was arrested on Wednesday for the shooting deaths of a husband and wife and the critical wounding of the couple's two small children in a rural eastern Colorado town.

Driver Who Fired At NY Firefighter Was Heavily Armed

GARDEN CITY, New York - The driver of a pickup truck who slammed into a utility pole in suburban New York and shot at a firefighter coming to his rescue before being shot and killed was heavily armed and prepared to wreak "mayhem," police said on Wednesday.

U.S. Files 22 New Charges Against WikiLeaks Soldier

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military said it has brought 22 new charges against a soldier accused of leaking hundreds of thousands of sensitive U.S. government documents that were later published by the website WikiLeaks.

Wisconsin Fines Runaway Democrats Over Union Plan

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin state Senate Republicans voted on Wednesday to impose fines of $100 a day on Democrats who have fled the state to block Republican Governor Scott Walker's plan to curb the power of public sector unions.

Crowd Protests Providence, Rhode Island, Teacher Dismissals

PROVIDENCE - Hundreds of teachers, students and union supporters rallied on Wednesday to protest dismissal of all of Providence's nearly 2,000 teachers as Rhode Island's capital city struggles to address its shaky finances.

Billionaires Vs Millionaires Row Could Shut Down NFL

NEW YORK - A row between billionaires and millionaires threatens to rob the American public of seeing their favorite sport as a contract deadline between NFL owners and the Players Association fast approached.

Robert Kennedy Assassin Sirhan Denied Parole

COALINGA, California - The man serving a life sentence for the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy was denied parole for a 13th time on Wednesday, California corrections officials said.

Soldier Gets Hard Labor, Discharge In Afghan War Case

SEATTLE - A U.S. Army soldier was sentenced to 60 days of hard labor and a discharge on Wednesday after a military judge found him guilty of serious misconduct, including desecrating a corpse, beating up a fellow soldier and smoking hashish while deployed in Afghanistan.

Ohio Advances Union Restrictions As Dispute Spreads

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio joined Wisconsin on Wednesday in advancing a plan to restrict public sector unions, posing a new threat to labor union power in one of the most politically and economically important states.

California Woman Sues After Slipping On Banana Peel

NEW YORK, March 1 (Reuters Legal) - A banana peel, the torment of many a cartoon character, has allegedly become the real-life downfall of a woman in California. Ida Valentine, 58, is suing the 99 Cents Only store where she slipped on one last April.

Nearly 700 Arrested In Anti-drug Gang Operation: ICE

WASHINGTON -- Law enforcement agencies arrested nearly 700 gang members and associates from December through February during an anti-drug trafficking operation dubbed Project Southern Tempest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on Tuesday.

Dick's Fitness Resistance Tubes Recalled

WASHINGTON -- Almost 230,000 fitness Resistance Tubes sold by Dick's Sporting Goods are being recalled voluntarily for contusion and laceration hazards, the government said on Tuesday.

Man Tied To Mexico Shooting Of U.S. Agent Arrested

WASHINGTON - U.S. authorities arrested a Texas man who had originally bought one of the guns used in a shooting in Mexico that killed a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and wounded a second agent, the Justice Department said on Tuesday.

States' Revenue Forecasts Increasingly Off-base

MIAMI - Revenue forecasts made by America's state governments are increasingly missing the mark, a trend that is aggravating political, fiscal and social pain as most of the 50 states grapple with budget shortfalls, according to two leading think tanks.

Florida Roads Re-open But Brush Fire Still Threatens

ORLANDO, Fla - A nearly 30-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in eastern Florida, closed since Monday due to a spreading brush fire, re-opened shortly after 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, according to the Brevard County emergency management center.

California Should Allow Gay Marriage: Attorney General

SAN FRANCISCO - California's attorney general urged a U.S. appeals court on Tuesday to permit gay marriages while it considers whether to overturn the state's ban on same-sex weddings.

Guru's Trial Over Arizona Sweat Lodge Deaths Starts

CAMP VERDE, Ariz - An Arizona jury on Tuesday heard how participants in a sweat lodge became delirious and passed out in scorching heat at a seminar hosted by self-help guru James Arthur Ray where three people died of heat-related causes.

Ohio Union Plan Like Wisconsin Draws Protests

COLUMBUS, Ohio - More than 8,000 protesters converged on Ohio's state capital on Tuesday as state lawmakers considered a bill similar to one proposed in Wisconsin to curtail the power of public sector unions.

Wisconsin Governor Unveils Deep Spending Cuts

MADISON, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker unveiled a budget that makes deep cuts in spending on Tuesday, and he said the cuts could be even worse if Democrats continue to block his plan to curb the power of public sector unions.