Jobless Veterans Say Military Experience Is Not Valued

NAPERVILLE, Ill - When Matthew Burrell left the U.S. Army after eight years of service, he landed a job as a public relations contractor in Iraq. With a salary of $170,000, he figured military experience had finally paid off.

Curbside Buses Much Less Safe Than Regular Coaches: NTSB

WASHINGTON - Curbside buses are far more dangerous than regular carriers and have higher rates of driver violations, the National Transportation Safety Board said on Monday.

Justice Department Aide Knew Of Earlier Botched Gun Sting

WASHINGTON - A senior Justice Department official learned last year about a bungled 2006 operation that failed to track guns to Mexican drug cartels, but did not issue an edict to halt the tactic, which was repeated in a later sting, the agency disclosed on Monday.

Boxing Champion Badly Injured In New York Car Accident

NEW YORK - A 19-year-old U.S. amateur boxing champion was in critical condition on Monday, a day after he was injured in a multiple-car pile-up on a New York City expressway that killed his sister.

Army Sergeant Charged In Afghan Murders Faces Accuser

TACOMA, Wash - A U.S. Army sergeant charged with murdering three unarmed Afghan civilians as leader of a rogue platoon spoke often about how "easy" it was to disguise such slayings as combat casualties, his chief accuser testified on Monday.

Kansas City Missing Baby Case Becoming A Circus, Critics Say

KANSAS CITY, Mo - A former lawyer for the parents of a missing Kansas City baby said on Monday she quit in a dispute with a rival New York lawyer, the latest twist in a case that some critics see as a legal and media circus.

Arizona Dismantles Major Drug Network With Mexico

PHOENIX - U.S. authorities have arrested more than 70 people in a series of Arizona narcotics raids, dismantling a major smuggling network linked to a Mexican drug cartel that generated nearly $2 billion in illicit proceeds, officials said on Monday.

Facing State Takeover, Harrisburg Officials Talk

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania - With the threat of a state-appointed receiver deciding how Harrisburg must deal with more than $300 million in debt, the city council and mayor did something on Monday they have not done in a long time: agree.

Arizona Serial Killer Found Guilty Of Nine Murders

PHOENIX - A former construction worker and convicted sexual predator was found guilty on Monday of nine murders in a crime spree that stunned the nation's sixth-largest city.

13 Dead, Millions Without Power After Rare Storm

BOSTON - Devastation from a rare and deadly October snowstorm lingered in the Northeast where 1.6 million homes were still without power on Monday, schools were closed and downed trees and powerlines snarled traffic.

Three Dead, 3 Missing In Kansas Grain Elevator Blast

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Three people were dead, three missing and two hospitalized after an explosion at a large grain elevator in Atchison, Kansas, City Manager Trey Cocking said on Sunday.

Attorney Vows To Keep Looking For Missing Kansas City Baby

KANSAS CITY, Mo - A former attorney for the parents of missing 11-month-old Lisa Irwin vowed on Sunday to keep looking for the child, even though the attorney is no longer on the case.

Rare, Deadly October Storm Hangs On In Northeast

NEW YORK - One of the darkest Halloweens ever loomed for roughly 2.8 million households left without power on Sunday by a rare October snowstorm in the Northeast that bedeviled transportation and killed at least eight people.

Couple Jailed, Lose Custody Of Daughter, Over Stolen Sandwiches

HONOLULU - A pregnant woman and her husband were arrested for allegedly stealing two sandwiches at a supermarket in Honolulu, resulting in their 3-year-old daughter being put into state care for 18 hours, officials said on Saturday.

Deal Reached In U.S. 2001 Anthrax Death Suit: Filing

MIAMI - The widow of a Florida tabloid photo editor who was the first of five people to die in 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States has reached a settlement with the U.S. government in her wrongful death damages lawsuit against it, according to a court filing.

Soft Drink Makers Target Children And Teens: Study

- U.S. children and teenagers are seeing far more soda advertising than before, with blacks and Hispanics being major targets, as marketers have expanded online, a study released on Monday found.

Officials Arrest 70 In Major Arizona Drug Bust

- Law enforcement officials in Arizona seized thousands of pounds of narcotics and arrested at least 70 suspected drug smugglers with apparent ties to a violent drug cartel in Mexico, an official involved with the investigation in the U.S. Southwest told Reuters on Sunday.

Madoff Wife, Son Say Knew Nothing Of Scheme: CBS

NEW YORK - The wife and son of financial swindler Bernard Madoff said in their first interview to be broadcast on Sunday that they knew nothing of his estimated $65 billion Ponzi scheme, but feel shame for his "unforgiveable" crime.

Occupy Wall Street Arrests In Texas, Oregon

AUSTIN, Texas - Dozens of protesters at economic inequality demonstrations in Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon were arrested peacefully early on Sunday over allegedly failing to comply with rules in each city.

Insight: Firms To Charge Smokers, Obese More For Healthcare

- Like a lot of companies, Veridian Credit Union wants its employees to be healthier. In January, the Waterloo, Iowa-company rolled out a wellness program and voluntary screenings.

South Carolina Man Who Shot At Police Arrested

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A 25-year-old man suspected of shooting at a police officer was arrested in Greenville, South Carolina late on Friday after a day-long manhunt, police said on Saturday.

Man Dies After Being Pulled Into Industrial Dryer

- A worker at a uniform cleaning company in Louisville, Kentucky died on Friday after he was pulled into an industrial dryer, police said.

Life In Drought: Parched Texas Town Seeks Emergency Fix

ROBERT LEE, Texas - No one drinks the tap water, which is unbearably briny as the lake dries up.

Perry Urges Repeal Of New Hampshire Gay Marriage Law

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire - Texas Governor Rick Perry pressed a conservative social agenda at an appearance in New Hampshire, calling for the repeal of the state's 2009 law legalizing same-sex marriage.

Jobless Veterans Say Military Experience Is Not Valued

NAPERVILLE, Ill - When Matthew Burrell left the Army after eight years of service, he landed a job as a public relations contractor in Iraq. With a salary of $170,000, he figured military experience had finally paid off.

Some California Sex Offenders' Addresses Same As Foster Homes

- The state of California should immediately investigate why more than 1,000 sex offenders have the same addresses as licensed foster homes and facilities housing children, a new report by the state auditor said.

Despite Low Risk, Paranoid Parents Scan Halloween Candy

CHESAPEAKE, Va - Creating a colorful pile of wrappers, the medical center technician upends a basket of Skittles, Hershey bars, Twizzlers and other candy onto the bed of an x-ray machine.

Snowstorm Tests Resolve Of Wall St Protesters

NEW YORK - A rare October snowstorm tested the resolve of anti-Wall Street protesters camped out in a New York park on Saturday, as police arrested demonstrators in Denver and evicted others from a Nashville plaza.

Police Fire Mace At Denver Protesters, 20 Arrested

DENVER - Police in riot gear fired pepper balls and mace into a crowd of economic protesters in Denver on Saturday and arrested 20 after some people entered the grounds of the State Capitol, police said.

At Least Three Deaths As Snowstorm Hits Northeast

BOSTON - A rare October snowstorm barreled up the East Coast on Saturday, cutting power to more than two million households, forcing cancellation of scores of airline flights and causing at least three deaths.

Woman Accused Of Twice Trying To Kill Husband Awaits Verdict

ORLANDO, Fla - A jury on Friday began deciding the fate of a Florida woman charged with attempted murder for setting the bedroom on fire while her husband napped, one of two suspected attempts she made to kill him.

Woman Teacher Who Had Sex With Students May Not Appeal

CINCINNATI, Ohio - A female teacher convicted of having sex with five male high school students and sentenced to four years in prison is unlikely to appeal, her attorney said on Friday.

Wal-Mart Sued In Texas For Gender Discrimination

- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. discriminated against female employees in Texas stores in pay and promotion decisions, according to a lawsuit filed on Friday in Federal Court in Dallas.

Man Angry Over Chalupa Meat May Have Burned Taco Bell: Police

ATLANTA - A Taco Bell customer angry over too little meat on his extra large chalupas may have tried to set an Albany, Georgia restaurant on fire, police said on Friday,

Search For Man In Shootout With South Carolina Police

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - Police were still looking late on Friday for a man who fled after a shootout with police, prompting a six-hour manhunt and the lockdown of seven schools in Greenville, South Carolina.

New Citizens Sworn In At Statue Of Liberty Celebration

NEW YORK - She arrived in the United States from France 125 years ago, and has welcomed her fellow immigrants ever since.

Comeback Cards Beat Rangers, Win World Series

ST LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals completed their magical comeback season by beating the Texas Rangers 6-2 in a deciding Game Seven to clinch the World Series Friday.

Oakland Protesters Plan March, Mayor Apologizes

OAKLAND, Calif - Calls for a general strike in Oakland by protesters against economic inequality gathered force on Friday as activists voted to march to the city's busy port next week to disrupt cargo traffic there.

Accused Army Ringleader In Afghan Murders Goes On Trial

TACOMA, Wash - A U.S. Army sergeant went on trial on Friday charged with murdering unarmed civilians and taking body parts for war trophies as ringleader of a rogue platoon that terrorized villagers in Afghanistan's Kandahar province.

Generators Taken From NY Anti-Wall Street Protesters

NEW YORK - Anti-Wall Street protesters' plans to camp in a New York park throughout the city's harsh winter were dealt a blow on Friday when the fire department confiscated generators and fuel because they posed a danger.

Alaska Boat Captain Arrested For Drunken Driving

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The captain of a supply boat was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after his vessel ran aground early on Thursday in Anchorage's small-craft harbor, police said.

New Hampshire House Panel Passes Casino Bill

LITTLETON, New Hampshire - A bill that would allow for the construction of two casinos in New Hampshire was approved by a House legislative panel on Thursday.

Injured Soldier Spurs Veteran Support For "Occupy"

OAKLAND, California - A former soldier wounded in a protest on the streets of Oakland after surviving two tours in Iraq has put a new face on the 'Occupy' movement by galvanizing veteran backing for the push against economic inequality in the United States.

Mother Accused Of Abusing, Abandoning Disabled Son

DENVER - A Colorado mother is accused of locking her 14-year-old developmentally disabled son inside a squalid trailer, feeding him just four meals a week, then abandoning him to take a trip with her boyfriend, prosecutors said on Thursday.

Mandatory Halloween Meeting To Occupy Some Alabama Sex Offenders

MOBILE, Ala - Authorities in one southeast Alabama county have special Halloween plans for certain sex offenders, designed to keep trick-or-treaters safer and parents more at ease.

Judge Approves Settlement For Black Farmers

WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Thursday approved a $1.25 billion settlement in a decades-old discrimination case by black farmers, clearing the way for them to seek compensation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for being left out of farm aid programs.

Texas Executes Man Convicted Of Killing Police Officer

SAN ANTONIO - Texas on Thursday executed by lethal injection a man who shot dead his wife on the day she tried to leave him, and killed a police officer who came to the home to check out a domestic disturbance call.

State Of Ohio Intervenes To Keep Exotic Pets In Zoo

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The state of Ohio intervened on Thursday to stop six exotic animals from being transferred back to the widow of the man who released them and dozens of other creatures last week shortly before killing himself.

Trial Of Massachusetts Man Accused Of Aiding Terrorism Begins

BOSTON - A Massachusetts man accused of supporting militants traveled to Yemen for terrorism training and translated Arabic messages to help further al Qaeda's cause, prosecutors said in Boston federal court on Thursday.

Wounded Iraq Vet Awake After Oakland Protest Injury

OAKLAND, Calif - An Iraq war veteran badly wounded in clashes between protesters and police on the streets of Oakland was awake and lucid, hospital officials and family members said on Thursday.

Boxing Star Mayweather Acquitted Of Harassment

LAS VEGAS - Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. was acquitted on Wednesday of charges he threatened to send armed acquaintances to harm two security guards at a gated community in suburban Las Vegas.

W. Va. Mine Ex-security Chief Convicted In Deadly Disaster Case

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - The former security chief at a mine where 29 miners died last year was convicted of two felonies on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Madoff's Wife Says Couple Attempted Suicide: Report

NEW YORK - The wife of financial swindler Bernard Madoff said in an interview to be aired on Sunday that the couple attempted suicide by taking pills on Christmas Eve 2008 after his estimated $65 billion Ponzi scheme was exposed.

Former U.S. Sailor On Trial, Accused In Marriage Fraud Scheme

NORFOLK, Va - A former Navy sailor went on trial in federal court on Wednesday accused of arranging sham marriages between immigrants and fellow sailors aboard a Virginia-ported amphibious assault ship.

Climate Change Making Country's Water Problems Worse: Expert

ERIE, Pa - Climate change and population growth in the United States will make having enough fresh water more challenging in the coming years, an expert on water shortages said on Wednesday.

Edwards' Attorneys Ask Judge To Dismiss Federal Charges

GREENSBORO, North Carolina - Attorneys for former presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Wednesday that the federal charges against him should be thrown out, arguing even if he did all that was alleged it did not amount to a crime.

Obama Tells Students Of Plans To Ease Loan Burden

DENVER - President Barack Obama vowed on Wednesday to take steps to ease the burden of student loans, potentially helping cash-strapped college graduates in a tough U.S. economy.

Alabama Aims To Rebuild Better Six Months After Twisters

TUSCALOOSA, Ala - Six months after a deadly twister ravaged Tuscaloosa, Alabama, thousands of homes are being rebuilt, dozens of businesses have reopened and nearly all the debris is cleared away.

Exclusive: NSA Helps Banks Battle Hackers

WASHINGTON - The National Security Agency, a secretive arm of the U.S. military, has begun providing Wall Street banks with intelligence on foreign hackers, a sign of growing fears of financial sabotage.

Clash With Police Stirs Oakland Economic Protest

OAKLAND, Calif - Over 1,000 activists protesting economic inequality and corporate greed massed on Wednesday night in a downtown Oakland plaza from which they had been evicted a day earlier in clashes with police that left 85 people arrested and one critically hurt.

Convicted Killer Who Escaped Florida Prison Nabbed

ORLANDO, Fla - A convicted killer who escaped from a Florida jail with his cellmate by crawling through air conditioning vents and then scaling razor-topped fences has been captured, police said on Tuesday.

Two Students Accused In North Carolina School Shooting

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Two North Carolina teenagers have been arrested over the shooting of a 10th grade girl at a high school after surveillance video showed them with a rifle on campus, officials said on Tuesday.

Delaware Chancery Court Sued For "secret" Hearings

- The judges on Delaware's prominent business court are violating the First Amendment of the Constitution by holding "secret" hearings, according to a nonprofit group that sued to unseal the proceedings.

College Costs Outpace Inflation: College Board

- The cost of college in the United States rose sharply for the 2011-2012 school year, continuing a multiyear pattern in which public school increases outpaced private school hikes and both eclipsed the average rate of inflation by significant amounts, the College Board reported on Wednesday.

Police Scuffle With Protesters In Oakland March

OAKLAND, Calif - Police and protesters scuffled in the streets of Oakland on Tuesday as more than 1,000 people marched on city hall to voice anger over scores of arrests at an "Occupy Wall Street" camp.

Woman Charged With Killing Sons For Insurance

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A South Carolina mother who told police her son killed three family members and himself has been charged with murdering all of them to get their life insurance money, police said Tuesday.

Income Of Top 1 Percent Far Outgrew Others: Report

WASHINGTON - Incomes for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans nearly tripled from 1979 to 2007, far outpacing income growth for all other groups, said a new report that underscored sharply increased U.S. income disparity.

Two Young Boys Found Locked In Kennel In Nebraska Home

- Police found two young boys confined in a locked animal kennel in a Nebraska home littered with animal feces and urine when called to the house to check on their welfare, police said on Tuesday.

Eight New York Policemen Charged In Gun Smuggling Ring

NEW YORK - Eight New York City policemen were charged on Tuesday with helping run a gun-smuggling ring in a city whose mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is leading a national campaign against illegal guns.

New Risk For Occupy Wall Street: Less Media Interest

NEW YORK - "Occupy Wall Street" is occupying less space in TV broadcasts, newspapers and social media as the story settles into a familiar pattern and protesters dig in for what could be a protracted fight.

Indiana Man, 87, Nabbed With 228 Pounds Of Cocaine, Police Say

- An 87-year-old Indiana man was arraigned on drug charges in federal court in Detroit on Monday after police found 228 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $2.9 million in his pickup following a routine traffic stop.

Police Arrest 24 "Occupy" Protesters Outside Dallas Bank

DALLAS, Texas - Police arrested a group of 24 Occupy Dallas protesters on Monday after they sat down and locked arms in front of a downtown Dallas bank and ignored requests to move, protest organizers said.

Home Invasion Murderer Said He Killed 17 Women

NEW HAVEN, Conn - Letters by home invasion murderer Steven Hayes, in which he claims to have murdered 17 women and kept their shoes as trophies, may be used on Tuesday to argue that his accomplice should not get the death penalty.

Competency Hearing Possible In Philadelphia Captive Case

PHILADELPHIA - The attorney for Linda Ann Weston, accused of locking four mentally challenged adults in a Philadelphia basement dungeon, said on Monday he may seek a hearing to determine if she is competent to stand trial.

Gas Pump Handles Top Study Of Filthy Surfaces

- Just when you thought filling up your car could not hurt any more, researchers may have found another reason to avoid touching the gas pump: germs.

Civil Rights Leader Fred Shuttlesworth Laid To Rest In Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - Civil rights leader Fred Shuttlesworth, once described by Martin Luther King Jr. as "the most courageous civil rights fighter in the South," was laid to rest on Monday in Birmingham as three days of public mourning came to an end.

Pennsylvania Declares Fiscal Emergency In Harrisburg

NEW YORK - Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett declared a fiscal emergency for Harrisburg on Monday, putting the state one step closer to a takeover of its capital city.

Rangers Within One Win Of World Series Title

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Monday to move within one win of claiming their first World Series title since the franchise was born in 1961.

Girl Shot At North Carolina School, Prompting Lockdown

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - A high school student was shot in the neck during an outdoor lunch break at a North Carolina school on Monday, prompting a lockdown of two campuses as authorities tried to identify her shooter.

Police, Wall Street Protesters Fall Into Uneasy Truce

NEW YORK - After a rough start marked by mass arrests and allegations of heavy-handed behavior, the New York Police Department has settled into an uneasy standoff with the protesters of Occupy Wall Street.

Attorney Discounts Cadaver Dog's Alert In Missing Baby Probe

KANSAS CITY, Mo - A lawyer for parents of missing 11-month-old Lisa Irwin downplayed on Saturday the significance of a cadaver dog's alert that may have signified the scent of a dead body in the Irwin home.

Crop Scientists Now Fret About Heat Not Just Water

CHICAGO - Crop scientists in the United States, the world's largest food exporter, are pondering an odd question: could the danger of global warming really be the heat?

Jindal Wins Re-election As Louisiana Governor

NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, seen as a rising star in the Republican Party, won re-election on Saturday as voters largely ignored his nine poorly funded challengers.

Residents Debate "barrel Tax" In Jack Daniel's Hometown

NASHVILLE, Tenn - A lot more is smoldering in Lynchburg, Tennessee than this weekend's Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue.

New York Protesters March Against Brutality, But Crowd Small

NEW YORK - Occupy Wall Street protesters marched through lower Manhattan on Saturday to rally against police brutality, but the crowd was a fraction of the 5,000 who turned out a week ago when protests sprouted around the globe.

Seasonal Rite Goes Wrong As Hayride Wagon Overturns

- An Ohio hayride operator faced drunk-driving charges on Sunday after the farm tractor he was driving veered off the road and flipped one of the wagons it was towing, injuring 28 passengers, two of them seriously.

Longtime CBS White House Correspondent Dead At 86

NEW YORK - Journalist Robert Pierpoint, 86, a former White House correspondent for CBS News who covered six presidents, has died, CBS News said on Sunday.

Five Killed In Wrong-way Crash On Michigan Freeway

- A driver going the wrong way on a suburban Detroit freeway early Sunday slammed into another vehicle, and both burst into flames killing all five people involved, Michigan state police said.

Fort Worth Shooting Leaves One Dead, Seven Injured

AUSTIN, Texas - One person was killed and seven others were injured in a shooting early Sunday at a home in Fort Worth, Texas, police said.

About 130 Arrested At Occupy Chicago Protest

- About 130 protesters were arrested at an Occupy Chicago demonstration early Sunday after they erected tents and refused to leave a park next to Lake Michigan after its closing time, police said.

In South Carolina, Group Backs Anita Hill For 20th Year

COLUMBIA, South Carolina - For two decades, women in Columbia, South Carolina have gathered annually for an "I Believe Anita Hill" party, at first out of anger and then to celebrate what they considered a milestone in the fight against sexual harassment.

Bowing To Pressure, Nevada Pushes Caucus To February 4

WASHINGTON - The Nevada Republican Party pushed the date of its presidential nominating caucus back to February 4, bowing to pressure not to undermine the New Hampshire primary that has traditionally been one of the first key contests for presidential contenders.

Shark Kills American Off Australian Coast: Police

PERTH, Australia - A shark killed an American out diving off a popular Australian tourist island on Saturday, in the third fatal shark attack off the country's west coast in two months, police said.

End In Sight, U.S. Veterans Ponder Pain Of Iraq War

WASHINGTON - They remembered friends who died and brave Iraqis they had met, but news on Friday that the Iraq war was ending couldn't erase questions among U.S. veterans about whether it has all been worth it.

Police Arrest 19 Orlando Protesters On Trespass Charges

ORLANDO, Fla - Police arrested 19 anti-Wall Street protesters in Orlando before dawn on Saturday on trespass charges for sitting in a city park after hours despite warnings to leave, police said.

Police Taser Man Who Swings Knife Near Albuquerque Protesters

- Albuquerque police tasered a man who lunged at four Occupy Albuquerque protesters while swinging a knife and later told police that their presence was disrespectful to a state university, police said on Saturday.

Attorney Discounts Cadaver Dog's Alert In Missing Baby Probe

KANSAS CITY, Mo - A lawyer for parents of missing 11-month-old Lisa Irwin downplayed on Saturday the significance of a cadaver dog's alert that may have signified the scent of a dead body in the Irwin home.

Goodbyes Begin For Civil Rights Leader Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - Three days of public goodbyes for civil rights leader Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth began on Saturday at the Birmingham, Alabama church where his fiery sermons once inspired others to join the fight against segregation.

Jindal Wins Re-election As Louisiana Governor

NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, seen as a rising star in the Republican Party, won re-election on Saturday as voters largely ignored his nine poorly funded challengers.

New York Protesters March Against Brutality, But Crowd Small

NEW YORK - Occupy Wall Street protesters marched through lower Manhattan on Saturday to rally against police brutality, but the crowd was a fraction of the 5,000 who turned out a week ago when protests sprouted around the globe.

Final Defendants In Alaska Corruption Case Plead Guilty

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Two former state legislators were spared further prison time on Friday after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a long-standing federal investigation into political corruption in Alaska.

Years After NAFTA, First Long-haul Mexican Truck Enters U.S.

SAN ANTONIO - The first Mexican truck bound for the U.S. interior crossed at the international bridge at Laredo, Texas, on Friday, carrying electronic equipment destined for suburban Dallas and fulfilling a controversial provision of the 1994 North American Free Trade Act.

Ohio Governor Takes Steps On Exotic Animals

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Governor John Kasich on Friday called for a temporary moratorium on the sale of dangerous wild animals after a collector caused a panic by releasing dozens of lions, tigers, bears and other animals.

Seattle Braces For 9-day "Viadoom" Freeway Closure

SEATTLE - Seattle commuters braced on Friday for an expected traffic nightmare they have come to know as "Viadoom" -- the nine-day closure of one of the city's two north-south arteries.

Suspect In Basement Torture Case Diagnosed As Schizophrenic

PHILADELPHIA - Linda Ann Weston, who allegedly locked mentally-challenged adults in a basement dungeon in Philadelphia, was once diagnosed as mentally retarded and schizophrenic, court records revealed on Friday.

Video Cards Yield No Clues To Cause Of Reno Air Crash

WASHINGTON - U.S. safety investigators were unable to retrieve any onboard video from the wreckage of a vintage plane that crashed into a crowd at a Nevada air show last month, killing 11 people.

Anti-Wall St. Protesters March With Verizon Workers

NEW YORK - Anti-Wall Street protesters joined Verizon Communications workers on Friday in a march to denounce corporate greed as the company and 45,000 employees negotiate a new labor contract.

U.S. Judge Dismisses Arizona Lawsuit Over Border

PHOENIX - A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit by the state of Arizona against the U.S. government that said the Obama administration had failed in its duty to enforce immigration laws or secure the border.

U.S. Readies Stronger Lifeline For Homeowners

WASHINGTON - Homeowners who owe more than their houses are worth will get new help to refinance in a government plan to be unveiled as early as Monday to support the battered housing sector, sources familiar with the effort said.

End In Sight, U.S. Veterans Ponder Pain Of Iraq War

WASHINGTON - They remembered friends who died and brave Iraqis they had met, but news on Friday that the Iraq war was ending couldn't erase questions among U.S. veterans about whether it has all been worth it.

Further Study Urged On Virus Found In Pacific Salmon

SEATTLE - U.S. senators from Alaska and Washington state called on Thursday for more investigation of a contagious and lethal fish virus recently detected for the first time in wild Pacific salmon, alarming marine scientists.

New York May Shut Down Bus Service That Makes Women Sit In Back

NEW YORK - New York City authorities said on Thursday they will shut down a Brooklyn bus service run by Orthodox Jews if the group doesn't stop making women sit at the back of the bus.

Alabama Executes Man For 2005 Death Of His Infant Son

MOBILE, Ala - Alabama executed a man on Thursday who asked to be put to death after pleading guilty to fatally suffocating and beating his infant son, and had spent just four years on death row.

Charging Bear Got Close To Police Before Shot Dead

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A deputy sheriff shot dead an aggressive bear that got within a few feet of him as police confronted dozens of dangerous animals set loose by a collector who then killed himself, authorities said on Thursday.

Radio Prophet Gone From Airwaves On New Judgment Day Eve

ALAMEDA, Calif - An evangelical broadcaster whose end-of-the-world prophecy earlier this year stirred a global media frenzy has vanished from the public eye and airwaves ahead of his recalibrated doomsday date, set for Friday.

Dog Bowls Led Philadelphia Landlord To Basement Dungeon

PHILADELPHIA - The rescue of four starving, mentally handicapped people held captive in the filthy basement of a Philadelphia building began with a landlord's suspicions about a pair of dog bowls.

Senate Backs Plan To Help Americans Buy Homes

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Thursday backed a measure to help bolster the housing market by making it easier for people to afford a home in wealthier neighborhoods.

After Ohio Panic, Call For Ban On Exotic Animal Ownership

CHICAGO - Animal welfare groups pleaded on Thursday for tighter restrictions or a ban on private ownership of exotic animals after a panic in Ohio this week when scores of dangerous beasts were set loose.

Justice Served By Gaddafi Death, Lockerbie Families Say

NEW YORK - Families of victims killed in the Libyan bombing of a U.S. airliner over Scotland in 1988 said justice was served with the death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday, but they also hoped it would reveal others behind the attack.

Poverty Rates Up In Most U.S. States, Cities: Census

WASHINGTON - The ranks of the poor rose in almost all U.S. states and cities in 2010, despite the end of the longest and deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression the year before, U.S. Census data released on Thursday showed.

Texas Court Break-in Was Prank, Not Terrorism: Officials

SAN ANTONIO - Officials in San Antonio say five Moroccan men arrested during a courthouse break-in early on Wednesday were pranksters who were likely intoxicated.

NY Policeman Docked Vacation For Protest Pepper Spray

NEW YORK - A New York City policeman has been docked more than a third of his vacation time after he used pepper spray on anti-Wall Street protesters corralled by police on a sidewalk during a rally against economic inequality.

ICE Officer Busted On Drug Charges After Arizona Chase

PHOENIX - A U.S. immigration officer in Arizona was arrested on drug charges after leading authorities on a high-speed chase as he tossed bundles of marijuana from his government truck, state troopers said on Wednesday.

Mets Star Lenny Dykstra Pleads No Contest To Car Theft

LOS ANGELES - Former New York Mets star Lenny Dykstra pleaded no contest on Wednesday to grand theft auto charges stemming from what prosecutors said was a scheme to lease cars using phony business and credit information.

Supremacist Couple Plead Not Guilty To Two Murders

EVERETT, Wash - A white supremacist couple suspected of killing four people in a violent road trip across the Pacific Northwest pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to first-degree murder in two of the deaths.

Social Security Benefits To Rise 3.6 Percent

WASHINGTON - Social Security retirement benefits for about 55 million people will go up by 3.6 percent next year, the first cost-of-living increase since 2009, the U.S. Social Security Administration said on Wednesday.

Judge Refuses To Stop Search Group's Suit Against Casey Anthony

ORLANDO, Fla - A Florida judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a search-and-recovery organization's lawsuit against Casey Anthony, whose claims about her toddler's whereabouts in 2008 triggered a nationwide search.

Ideology Trumped Science At Texas Agency, Two Lawmakers Say

BEAUMONT, Texas - Two Democratic state senators from Texas accused the state's environmental agency of letting ideology trump science when it deleted information about the implications of global warming from a draft report.

Children, Teens In Custody In Philadelphia Dungeon Case

PHILADELPHIA - Eight children and teens linked to the accused Philadelphia basement captors were in protective custody on Wednesday, including a teen so badly abused that "it makes you want to cry," the city's Police Commissioner said.

Freed Tigers, Lions And Bears Cause Panic In Ohio

ZANESVILLE, Ohio - Dozens of exotic animals including tigers, lions and bears were let loose on Ohio farmland by their owner before he committed suicide, sparking a shoot-to-kill hunt in which 49 of the wild beasts, including 18 endangered Bengal tigers, were killed.

"Onion Field" Killer Denied Compassionate Release

LOS ANGELES - A terminally ill prisoner whose 1963 murder of a policeman was chronicled in the book and film "The Onion Field" was denied compassionate release on Tuesday after he said he didn't want to be freed, officials said.

Case Of Republican Political Consultant Goes To New York Jury

NEW YORK - A jury was set to begin deliberations on Wednesday in a case against John Haggerty, a Republican consultant accused of stealing $1.1 million from Mayor Michael Bloomberg's massive 2009 campaign war chest.

Southwest Flight Diverted Over Unruly Passenger

LOS ANGELES - A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Kansas City from Los Angeles made an emergency landing in Amarillo, Texas on Tuesday after a passenger became unruly, authorities and the airline said.

Americans On Social Security May Get Cost-of-living Rise

WASHINGTON - Americans on Social Security benefits may get good news on Wednesday when the government could announce the first cost-of-living increase in two years for 2012.

Man With Rifle Arrested At Occupy Seattle Protest

SEATTLE - A convicted felon believed to be part of the Occupy Seattle protest was arrested at the demonstration after he was found carrying an unloaded rifle in a bag, along with 16 rounds of ammunition, police said on Tuesday.

Foreclosure Deal Near As Banks Win More Immunity

WASHINGTON - Talks between U.S. states and top banks over mortgage abuses are nearing agreement on a major sticking point that has bogged down settlement negotiations for more than a year.

Lions, Bears, Wolves Found Loose At Ohio Exotic Animal Farm

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Lions, bears and wolves were among the animals found running loose on Tuesday in Ohio, where the owner of an exotic animal farm was found dead on his property, police said.

U.S. Deports Record Number Of Immigrants In 2011

WASHINGTON - The United States deported nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants in fiscal 2011 -- the highest number since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was formed eight years ago.

Pennsylvania Senate OKs State Takeover Of Harrisburg

- The Pennsylvania state Senate on Tuesday voted for a state takeover of the finances of its capital, Harrisburg, setting up a showdown with the city, which filed for bankruptcy last week.

Anti-Wall Street Protesters March Against New York Police

NEW YORK - Anti-Wall Street demonstrators marched against New York police on Tuesday, accusing some officers of excessive force when carrying out arrests during a month-long protest campaign against economic inequality.

Ruth's Chris Workers Seek Class-action Status

- Current and former female employees of Ruth's Chris Steak House have sued the company alleging gender discrimination and seeking class-action status.

Defeated Cherokee Chief Sues To Stop Succession

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Cherokee Indians' principal chief, who led a campaign to remove African-American slave descendants from the tribe, filed an appeal on Monday to stop his successor from taking office after losing a reelection bid.

Defendants In Alaska Corruption Case To Plead Guilty

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The final two defendants in a wide-ranging Alaska corruption scandal will plead guilty to felony charges, avoiding new trials and likely ending a federal investigation that rocked state politics, court documents show.

Former Pastor Gets Life Behind Bars For Murder Of Disabled Man

BALTIMORE - A former pastor was sentenced on Monday to life in prison for ordering the murder of a blind, developmentally disabled man in Baltimore so he could collect $1.4 million in life insurance policies.

Half Of Americans Support Legalizing Marijuana Use, Poll Shows

- Half of Americans now support legalizing marijuana use, a record high, amid growing support for decriminalization that could build pressure to eventually change U.S. laws on the drug, a Gallup poll showed on Monday.

Hard-hit Nevada Will Be Key Battleground In 2012

LAS VEGAS - A Republican debate will play out in one of this city's glittering casinos, but the real battleground for next year's U.S. presidential election lies in the foreclosure-racked neighborhoods that sprawl beyond the Las Vegas Strip's bright lights.

Mexican Drug Cartels Recruiting Texas Children

SAN ANTONIO - Texas law enforcement officials say several Mexican drug cartels are luring youngsters as young as 11 to work in their smuggling operations.

Bond At $2.5 Million For Disabled Adults' Accused Captors

- Bond was set at $2.5 million each on Monday for the three people accused of locking four mentally disabled adults in a filthy Philadelphia basement to cash in on their disability checks, authorities said.

Obama Begins Campaign-style Jobs Tour In Key States

MILLERS CREEK, North Carolina - President Barack Obama sought on Monday to turn up the heat on Republicans for blocking his jobs bill as he started a campaign-style bus tour across states vital to his 2012 re-election chances.

New Yorkers Support Anti-Wall Street Protests: Poll

NEW YORK - Anti-Wall Street protests have won broad support among New York City voters, who would overwhelmingly favor tougher regulations on the financial industry, new poll results showed on Monday.

Missouri National Guard Joins Search For Missing Baby

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - The Missouri National Guard is being deployed on Sunday to help search for missing 11-month-old Lisa Irwin in Kansas City.

No Decision Yet On Future Troop Presence In Iraq: U.S.

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration denied a news report on Saturday it had made a final decision to pull almost all U.S. troops out of Iraq by a year-end withdrawal deadline.

In Charging Diocese, Prosecutor Takes Rare Step

- The first indictment of a bishop for failing to report child pornography would have been groundbreaking in itself but legal experts say a second charge -- against the diocese -- is almost as rare.

Last Of River-swimming Alaska Whales Found Dead

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A young killer whale that wandered far up an Alaska river with two adult companions has been found dead near the river's mouth, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Sunday.

Disabled Adults Found Captive In Philadelphia Basement

PHILADELPHIA - Three people were charged on Sunday with holding four mentally handicapped adults captive in a filthy Philadelphia basement, and two of the victims may have been held for as long as 11 years, authorities said.

NY Union Leaders, State Reach New Contract Agreement

ALBANY, New York - New York State's second largest union, the Public Employees Federation (PEF), on Sunday ratified a tentative contract with the state in a bid to avert the layoffs of thousands of workers.

Alaska Woman Joins Protests With "Occupy The Tundra" Banner

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - When Diane McEachern ventured out onto the foggy western Alaska tundra a week ago to show solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement, she had no idea her tiny demonstration would go viral.

Ford, UAW Pact Moves Toward Ratification

DETROIT - The United Auto Workers' tentative contract with Ford Motor Co looked assured of ratification on Sunday night after receiving overwhelming support at two major union locals, UAW officials said.

Detroit Contracts Expose Auto Workers' Simmering Anger

WAYNE, Michigan - A bright red Ford Focus sits illuminated on a platform just outside the automaker's Wayne, Michigan, assembly plant, a proud symbol of the company's success in reinventing itself under Alan Mulally.

About 175 Arrested Early Sunday In Chicago Protest

CHICAGO - Police arrested around 175 demonstrators at a nascent protest camp in a downtown Chicago park early on Sunday, hauling them away in vans and buses even as protesters vowed to carry on their campaign against economic inequality.

High School Football Player Dies After Head Injury

- A high school football player died after he suffered a head injury during a varsity game in central New York late on Friday, the schools said.

On Day Of Prayer, Many Of The Blessed Have Four Legs

HOUSTON - They came to be blessed, so the Rev. Murray Powell placed his hands on Fifi, Jack and Dr. Who on Saturday afternoon and prayed.

Parishioners Dismayed, Sympathetic Over Bishop's Indictment

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Parishioners at the former church of a priest charged with possessing child pornography voiced dismay yet sympathy on Saturday over their bishop's indictment in connection with the case.

Man In Wheelchair Shot To Death By Phoenix Police

PHOENIX - A man in a wheelchair was shot to death by two Phoenix police officers on Saturday after he pointed a handgun at them, a police spokesman said.

L.A. Freeway To Close For Planned Explosion

LOS ANGELES - A stretch of Los Angeles freeway will be closed for several hours on Sunday while authorities blow up three compressed hydrogen tanks that were damaged in an explosion and fire, officials said.

Missouri National Guard Joins Search For Missing Baby

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - The Missouri National Guard is being deployed on Sunday to help search for missing 11-month-old Lisa Irwin in Kansas City.

Ford UAW Contract Ratification Gains Momentum

DETROIT - The United Auto Workers leadership pushing for ratification of a new four-year labor contract with Ford Motor Co made fresh gains on Saturday with nearly half of the worker vote counted, a union online update showed.

No Decision Yet On Future Troop Presence In Iraq: U.S.

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration denied a news report on Saturday it had made a final decision to pull almost all U.S. troops out of Iraq by a year-end withdrawal deadline.

Anti-Wall St Protesters March Through New York

NEW YORK - Thousands of anti-Wall Street protesters rallied in Times Square on Saturday, buoyed by a global day of demonstrations backing their month long campaign against economic inequality.

Thousands Protest Banks, Corporate Greed In U.S. Marches

NEW YORK - Thousands of anti-Wall Street protesters rallied in New York's Times Square on Saturday, buoyed by a global day of demonstrations in support of their month long campaign against corporate greed.

Accused Seal Beach Gunman Sought Revenge: Prosecutor

SANTA ANA, Calif - A man California prosecutors say shot his ex-wife and seven other people to death in a Seal Beach hair salon in revenge over a child custody dispute was charged on Friday with first degree murder in their deaths.

Insight: Wisconsin Clash Spotlights U.S. Labor-management Rift

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin -- Oshkosh Corp has been a rare lifeline for the beleaguered United Auto Workers, one of the few American manufacturers to have added significantly to its ranks of well-paid union workers in a brutal decade for factory hands.

Private Benefactor Offers $100,000 For Missing Baby's Return

KANSAS CITY, Mo - An unidentified wealthy benefactor is offering $100,000 for the return of missing Missouri baby Lisa Irwin, a private detective said on Friday.

Arrested Plane Passenger Distraught Over Dying Brother

DENVER - An airplane passenger accused of a drunken rage that forced the diversion of an American Airlines jet said on Friday that he was drinking because he was distraught about his dying brother.

Appeals Court Blocks Parts Of Alabama Immigration Law

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - A U.S. appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked Alabama from enforcing part of its tough new immigration law but allowed some disputed portions to remain in effect.

Ford UAW Contract Gains Support In Ongoing Vote

DETROIT - Union leaders lobbying to win ratification for a proposed four-year contract with Ford Motor Co won new support in a close vote with five days remaining, a union online update showed on Friday.

Harrisburg Vs Pennsylvania Set For Court On Monday

- Pennsylvania blasted Harrisburg's bankruptcy filing as "brazenly" disregarding state law and the mayor won a day in court Monday in her bid to throw out the City Council's decision to seek bankruptcy protection.

Some Inmates Continue Prison Hunger Strike, Advocates Say

LOS ANGELES - A day after California prison officials declared a 3-week-old hunger strike by thousands of convicts over, an inmate advocacy group said on Friday that at least 150 prisoners were still refusing to eat.

U.S. Catholic Bishop Charged In Alleged Porn Cover-up

KANSAS CITY - Kansas City's Roman Catholic bishop has been charged with failing to promptly report pornography on a priest's computer, prosecutors said, becoming the highest-ranking U.S. church official charged in long-running clergy abuse scandals.

Showdown Averted In New York's Wall Street Protests

NEW YORK - Anti-Wall Street protesters claimed victory on Friday when plans to clean the park they occupy were postponed, while police forces in financial capitals around the world braced for a weekend of rallies.

College Students Echo Occupy Wall Street With Protests

BOSTON - Anger at high tuition bills and a lack of jobs propelled U.S. college students into streets and quadrangles on Thursday in the latest offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street protest movement.

Kansas Panel Faults Ex-AG Kline On Abortion Probes

KANSAS CITY, Kan - A disciplinary panel on Thursday found "ethical misconduct" in the way a former attorney general of Kansas prosecuted abortion providers and it recommended his law license be suspended indefinitely.

Soros: Not A Funder Of Wall Street Protests

NEW YORK - George Soros isn't a financial backer of the Wall Street protests, despite speculation by critics including radio host Rush Limbaugh that the billionaire investor has helped fuel the anti-capitalist movement.

After Devastating Fire, Texans Vow To Rebuild Park And Community

BASTROP, Texas - Bastrop calls itself the Heart of the Lost Pines, but now the Texas state park is the place where the pines were lost.

Walmart Foundation Gets Leader From Gates' Group

- Wal-Mart Stores Inc named Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the president of the Walmart Foundation, its philanthropic arm, replacing Margaret McKenna, who is retiring after four years in the role.

Warren Jeffs Wife Breaks Away From Arizona Compound

SALT LAKE CITY - One of the wives of Warren Jeffs has broken away from the private Arizona compound once ruled by the jailed polygamist leader, officials said on Thursday.

North Carolina Men Convicted Of Conspiring To Aid Militants

RALEIGH, North Carolina - A federal jury found three North Carolina men guilty on Thursday of conspiring to provide material support to Islamist militants in foreign countries.

Insight: Wisconsin Clash Spotlights U.S. Labor-management Rift

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin -- Oshkosh Corp has been a rare lifeline for the beleaguered United Auto Workers, one of the few American manufacturers to have added significantly to its ranks of well-paid union workers in a brutal decade for factory hands.

Anti-Wall St. Protesters Ready To Block Clean-up

NEW YORK - Protesters with the Occupy Wall Street movement threatened on Thursday to block efforts to clean up the Lower Manhattan park where they set up camp nearly a month ago, raising concerns of a showdown with authorities.

Suspect Identified In California Hair Salon Shooting

SEAL BEACH, Calif - Mourners laid flowers at a hair salon in Seal Beach on Thursday, a day after a gunman, identified as the ex-husband of a stylist there, killed eight people in a shooting rampage.

Kansas County Resumes Domestic Abuse Enforcement

KANSAS CITY, Kan - A county official in the capital city of Kansas, who had refused to prosecute some domestic abuse cases because of budget cuts, resumed enforcing the law on Wednesday after an angry public outcry.

Rajaratnam's Health Claims Likely To Face Scrutiny

NEW YORK - When lawyers for former hedge fund tycoon Raj Rajaratnam raised his failing health in advance of his sentencing on insider trading, they were following a familiar playbook in prominent white-collar cases.

U.S. Listeria Toll Rises To 23 With Two Louisiana Deaths

- Two more people in the United States have died from a listeria outbreak caused by tainted cantaloupes linked to a Colorado farm, bringing the death toll to 23 across 12 states, health officials said on Wednesday.

Wall Street Office Cleaners Join March For Better Jobs

NEW YORK - Hundreds of office cleaners and guards marched near Wall Street on Wednesday demanding good jobs and protesting economic inequality, while a smaller group of demonstrators rallied at JPMorgan Chase's skyscraper.

"Underwear Bomber" Pleads Guilty In Court

DETROIT - A Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day 2009 with a bomb in his underwear pleaded guilty Wednesday and said he wanted to avenge the killing of innocent Muslims by the United States.

Eight Dead In California Hair Salon Shooting

SEAL BEACH, Calif - A gunman opened fire at a busy hair salon in the Southern California coastal town of Seal Beach on Wednesday in a shooting rampage that left eight people dead and another critically wounded, police said.

Man Charged In U.S. For Spying On Syrian Protesters

WASHINGTON - A Syrian-born U.S. citizen has been arrested and charged in Virginia with spying on anti-Syrian protesters in the United States and passing the details on to Damascus, U.S. prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Ex-fund Tycoon Rajaratnam Set To Hear Sentence

NEW YORK - One-time hedge fund tycoon Raj Rajaratnam, convicted in the biggest Wall Street insider-trading case in decades, hears his punishment in court on Thursday with all signs pointing to a lengthy prison term.

Border Patrol Agent Convicted Of Drug Trafficking

PHOENIX - A U.S. Border Patrol agent caught with more than 700 pounds of marijuana inside his truck was convicted in Arizona on Wednesday of drug-trafficking charges, authorities said.

Most Americans Aware Of Wall Street Protests: Reuters/Ipsos

WASHINGTON - A strong majority of Americans are aware of the "Occupy Wall Street" protests against U.S. economic inequality and a majority either view them favorably or do not have an opinion about them, a Reuters/Ipsos poll said on Wednesday.

New York Lawyer Charged With Running Immigration Fraud Mill

NEW YORK - A New York attorney was arrested in Canada on Tuesday on charges that he ran an "immigration fraud mill" that filed tens of thousands of bogus U.S. immigration applications, U.S. prosecutors said.

Dodger Stadium Beating Victim Released From Hospital

LOS ANGELES - A San Francisco Giants fan who was badly beaten at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day in an attack that touched off a furor in Los Angeles was released from a hospital on Tuesday, doctors said.

Massachusetts Asks Banks For Recruiting Details: Report

- The top financial regulator in Massachusetts has asked many of Wall Street's biggest banks for more information on their hedge fund recruiting services, the New York Times said on Tuesday.

Corrected: U.S. Accuses 2 Ex-Baer Bankers Of Aiding Tax Evasion

- U.S. prosecutors on Tuesday indicted two former private bankers with Julius Baer on charges of selling tax evasion services to wealthy Americans, drawing yet another Swiss bank into the crosshairs of the U.S. Justice Department amid a widening crackdown on offshore tax evasion.

Oklahoma Prison Riot Quelled, Dozens Hurt

OKLAHOMA CITY - Inmates from California held in a private prison in western Oklahoma rioted on Tuesday in a melee that injured dozens of prisoners, some of them critically, authorities said.

Supreme Court Won't Hear Same-sex Adoptive Parents Case

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court refused on Tuesday to consider the rights of same-sex parents in a setback for two gay men who wanted both of their names listed on their adopted son's birth certificate.

New York Jury Chosen To Hear Viktor Bout Arms Dealing Case

NEW YORK - A New York jury was selected on Tuesday to hear the trial of suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, accused of offering to sell guns and missiles to undercover U.S. agents posing as weapons buyers for Colombian rebels.

Chicago Police Arrest 21 Protesters For Trespassing

CHICAGO - Chicago police arrested 21 people protesting against economic inequality on Tuesday at two rallies, charging them with trespassing, a Chicago Police spokesman said.

Wall Street Protesters Target Homes Of Executives

NEW YORK - Hundreds of anti-Wall Street protesters marched on the New York homes of wealthy executives on Tuesday, triggering one of their targets, billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson, to defend his wealth.

U.S. Issues World Travel Alert Linked To Iran Plot

WASHINGTON - The State Department late on Tuesday issued a worldwide travel alert for U.S. citizens, warning of the potential for anti-U.S. action after the United States accused Iran of backing a plot to kill Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington.

Grand Jury Seeks TV Interviews In Missing Baby Case

KANSAS CITY, Mo - A Kansas City television station has received a grand jury subpoena for interviews it conducted in covering the disappearance of a 10-month-old baby last week, the station said on Monday.

Chicago Protests Slam Bankers To Beat Of Brass Band

CHICAGO - With a brass band to amplify their demands, Chicago protesters marched and lambasted financiers on Monday who they said saved corporations while leaving ordinary Americans jobless and disillusioned.

Wisconsin Woman Charged With Murder For Cutting Fetus

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin police charged a 33-year-old Milwaukee woman with murder on Monday over accusations she cut a full-term fetus from its mother's womb in an attempt to steal the baby and claim it as her own.

White Supremacist Couple Suspected In Four Deaths: Police

PORTLAND, Ore - A white supremacist Oregon couple already suspected of killing three people was being investigated in the shooting death of a fourth person, police said on Monday.

Wal-Mart, Facebook Unveil Partnership

- Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Facebook Inc unveiled a partnership on Tuesday to help the world's largest retailer connect customers with its local stores.

Man Jumps To Death Near "Occupy San Diego," Police Say

SAN DIEGO - A man committed suicide on Monday in an eight-story leap from a parking structure near where "Occupy San Diego" demonstrators were gathered, but it was unclear if he identified with the protesters, authorities said.

NBA Cancels First Two Weeks Of Regular Season

- The National Basketball Association (NBA) has canceled the first two weeks of the regular season after the league owners and players were unable to resolve a bitter labor dispute on Monday.

Tense Night At Occupy Boston Protest Site

BOSTON - Tension mounted between protesters and police on Monday night after Occupy Boston members expanded their footprint in downtown Boston, then said they were being pressed by police to backtrack.

NY Securities Sector May Lose 10,000 Jobs: Report

- New York City's securities industry could lose nearly 10,000 jobs by the end of 2012, according to a report by New York state's comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the Wall Street Journal said.

Thousands In Chicago Protest Financial Industry

CHICAGO - Thousands of people including teachers, religious leaders and union workers marched in downtown Chicago on Monday to voice mounting anger over joblessness and income inequality in protests that snarled rush-hour traffic.

UAW Workers Reject Oshkosh Pact For Second Time

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin - Workers at defense contractor Oshkosh Corp turned down a new five-year contract offer from the company for a second time in little more than a week on Saturday even after union leaders narrowed differences between the two sides in recent days.

Voting Ends In Controversial Cherokee Election Of Chief

OKLAHOMA CITY - Voting ended on Saturday to pick a principal chief of the Cherokee Indians, the nation's second largest tribe, following vote tampering charges and a fight with some African-Americans over tribal membership.

Police, Protesters Clash At National Air And Space Museum

WASHINGTON - Authorities shut down Washington's popular National Air and Space Museum on Saturday afternoon after antiwar protesters tried to enter the building and clashed with guards, a museum spokeswoman said.

California Bans Use Of Tanning Beds By Minors

LOS ANGELES - Minors in the state of California will no longer be allowed to use tanning beds after Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Sunday prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from using ultraviolet tanning devices.

Farmers Almanac Editor Paddles Pumpkin To Victory

DAMARISCOTTA, Maine - Farmers Almanac editor Peter Geiger splashed his way to first place in a giant pumpkin fashioned to look like a whale in the annual Pumpkin Regatta on Sunday, besting four other boats.

Two Alaska River-swimming Killer Whales Found Dead

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Two of three killer whales that wandered far up an Alaska river have died, apparently succumbing to stresses associated with being out of their saltwater habitat, federal officials said on Sunday.

Kenya's Mosop Wins Chicago Marathon, One Runner Dies

CHICAGO - Moses Mosop of Kenya set a course record in cruising to victory in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday in a race tempered by the first death in the event in four years after a runner collapsed near the finish line.

Texas Pastor Stands Ground On "cult" Comment About Mormons

DALLAS - An unapologetic Pastor Robert Jeffress, who created a stir for calling Mormonism a "cult" at a political gathering, told hundreds of congregants at his Texas megachurch on Sunday that he welcomed the opportunity he's had to warn people about a "false religion."

Limits On Supplemental Medicare Plans Eyed

WASHINGTON - Medicare supplemental health plans, popular among politically powerful retirees, could come under the budget knife being wielded by the special deficit-reduction panel of Congress, according to sources keeping close watch on its work.

Anti-Wall Street Protests Spur Political Debate

LOS ANGELES - Growing protests targeting Wall Street and U.S. economic inequality spawned heated rhetoric among politicians on Sunday as organizers planned more demonstrations this week.

"Pianist To The Presidents" Dies At 87

LOS ANGELES - Roger Williams, known as "the Pianist to the Presidents," died on Saturday at the age of 87 in his California home after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, his former publicist said.

Indiana Man Charged With Murdering Five People

INDIANAPOLIS - Almost two weeks after a rural Indiana community was rocked by the discovery of five bodies, murder charges have been filed against a man being held by police for an unrelated robbery, police said on Saturday.

California Governor Rejects Race, Gender College Admissions

SACRAMENTO - California Governor Jerry Brown on Saturday vetoed legislation that would have allowed California universities to consider race and gender in student admissions, even though Brown said he agreed with its goal.

Casey Anthony, Donning Sunglasses, Stays Mum In Deposition

ORLANDO, Fla - Casey Anthony, the young Florida mother acquitted of killing her child, wore a baseball hat and big sunglasses and refused to answer most questions during a video deposition on Saturday in a civil defamation case related to her daughter's 2008 death.

Dead Body Found In Oregon May Be Linked To Murder Spree

PORTLAND, Ore - An unidentified dead man was found inside a black Jeep in rural Oregon, police said on Saturday, the latest evidence in a possible two-state murder spree linked to couple with white supremacist leanings.

Parents Of Missing Baby Resume Talking To Police

KANSAS CITY, Mo - After two days of not talking to police, the parents of a missing 10-month-old Kansas City girl are again cooperating, a police spokeswoman said Saturday night.

California Allows College Aid To Illegal Immigrants

SACRAMENTO - California Governor Jerry Brown on Saturday signed a bill giving illegal immigrant college students access to state-funded financial aid, the second half of two-part legislation known as the "Dream Act."

Voting Ends In Controversial Cherokee Election Of Chief

OKLAHOMA CITY - Voting ended on Saturday to pick a principal chief of the Cherokee Indians, the nation's second largest tribe, following vote tampering charges and a fight with some African-Americans over tribal membership.

Police, Protesters Clash At National Air And Space Museum

WASHINGTON - Authorities shut down Washington's popular National Air and Space Museum on Saturday afternoon after antiwar protesters tried to enter the building and clashed with guards, a museum spokeswoman said.

Wall Street Protesters Look To Expand N.Y. Presence

NEW YORK - Anti-Wall Street demonstrators said on Saturday they are growing out of their lower Manhattan encampment and are exploring options to expand to other public spaces in New York City.

California Shark Fin Ban Signed Into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif - Shark fin soup will disappear from the Golden State's menu in January 2013 under legislation signed into law on Friday by California Governor Jerry Brown.

American Fighter Makes Libya's War His Own

SIRTE, Libya - For seven months, Matthew Van Dyke has been fighting a war that is not his.

California Tightens Olive Oil Labeling Rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif - California's burgeoning olive oil producers are counting on a newly enacted state labeling law to persuade more consumers that American brands are more virginal than their imported rivals.

Nebraska Governor Asks Clinton To Reroute Oil Pipeline

- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday to reroute a proposed oil pipeline from Canada to Texas so that it avoids crossing a major underground aquifer in his state.

Cuban Spy Free From Florida Jail But Must Stay In U.S.

MARIANNA, Fla - A Cuban agent jailed for spying on Cuban exiles in Florida was freed from a U.S. prison on Friday but must remain in the United States for three years on probation, a condition Cuba says puts his life in danger.

Prosecutors Target California's Marijuana Trade

LOS ANGELES - Federal prosecutors announced a crackdown on Friday on what they call California's massive commercial marijuana trade, including medical pot dispensaries they say are often fronts for illegal for-profit drug distribution.

Brain-attacking Worm Linked To Decline Of Wyoming Moose

SALMON, Idaho - A brain-attacking worm is strongly suspected as a factor in the mysterious and steep decline of moose herds in the western part of Wyoming, wildlife biologists in the state said on Friday.

New York's Bloomberg Says Protesters Trying To Destroy Jobs

NEW YORK - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg accused anti-Wall Street protesters on Friday of trying to destroy jobs in the city, even as he said he was sympathetic to some of their complaints.

Ivy League Professors Speak To Anti-Wall Street Protesters

BOSTON - Ivy League professors dropped by anti-Wall Street protest camps in Boston and New York on Friday to school the demonstrators on theories that bolster their demands to end inequality in the American economy.

Protests Spread To More Than A Dozen Cities

NEW YORK - Protests against corporate greed and economic inequality spread across America on Thursday and found unlikely sympathy from a top official of one of main targets of scorn -- the Federal Reserve.

New York Court Clears Woman Of Murder In Battered-wife Case

NEW YORK - A New York jury cleared a woman who shot dead her retired police officer husband of murder on Thursday in a case that had been seen as a test of the battered-woman defense.

Georgia City Revises Headscarf Policy After Lawsuit

ATLANTA - A Georgia city settled a federal lawsuit on Thursday filed by a Muslim woman who was arrested and jailed after she refused to remove her headscarf before entering a courtroom.

California Law Fights Regulation With Regulation

SACRAMENTO, Calif - In an odd twist, California business groups applauded Governor Jerry Brown for signing legislation on Thursday to create a new layer of government regulation they say will lessen the burdens imposed by future regulations.

Three Killer Whales Loitering Far Up Alaska River

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Three apparently misguided killer whales are loitering far up an Alaska river and starting to show signs of stress after three weeks in fresh water, federal fisheries officials said on Thursday.

Jobs Authorized Biography So His Kids Can Know Him

CUPERTINO, Calif./SAN FRANCISCO - Steve Jobs, in pain and too weak to climb stairs a few weeks before his death, wanted his children to understand why he wasn't always there for them, according to the author of his highly anticipated biography.

California To End Food Stamp Fingerprinting

SACRAMENTO, Calif - Low-income Californians will no longer need to be fingerprinted when they apply for food stamp assistance, under legislation signed into law on Thursday by Governor Jerry Brown.

FBI Says Toddler Witnessed Triple-murder On Indian Reservation

MISSOULA, Mont - A 3-year-old boy is the lone witness to the murder of three people shot to death by a fellow tribe member on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana and has identified the suspect, the FBI said in court papers on Thursday.

Parents Of Missing Baby End Cooperation With Police

KANSAS CITY, Mo - The parents of a 10-month-old girl missing for three days have stopped cooperating with police, a spokesman said on Thursday.

Giffords Awards Medal To Astronaut Husband In Washington

WASHINGTON - Representative Gabrielle Giffords gave her astronaut husband a medal at his retirement ceremony on Thursday and got a warm welcome on her second visit to Washington since a gunman tried to kill her in January.

Protests Spread To More Than A Dozen Cities

NEW YORK - Protests against corporate greed and economic inequality spread across America on Thursday and found unlikely sympathy from a top official of one of main targets of scorn -- the Federal Reserve.

Jury Selection Continues In Airline Bombing Trial

DETROIT - The jury pool in the trial of a Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day in 2009 was narrowed to 32 women and 15 men by the close of court on Wednesday

Inside Buddy Roemer's Unlikely White House Run

LITTLETON, New Hampshire - Most politicians would take it as a bad sign if they finished third in a re-election bid behind a former Ku Klux Klan leader and an opponent twice tried for racketeering.

Judge Refuses To Block Alabama Immigration Law

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - A federal judge on Wednesday again refused to halt Alabama's tough new anti-illegal immigration law, leaving in place for now measures that are prompting some Hispanics to flee the state.

Suspect In Crow Reservation Killings Arrested

MISSOULA, Mont - Authorities Washington state arrested a man on Wednesday sought in connection with the shooting deaths of three people some 500 miles away on the Crow Indian Reservation in southern Montana, the FBI said.

Parents Of Missing Kansas City Baby Plead For Her Return

KANSAS CITY, Mo - The parents of a 10-month-old girl who went missing from her crib in Kansas City tearfully pleaded for her safe return in brief statements to reporters on Wednesday.

Three Dead, Seven Wounded In California Shootings

CUPERTINO, Calif - Three people were killed and seven were wounded when a disgruntled worker opened fire at a Northern California cement plant and then tried to steal a car, police said on Wednesday.

Alaska Contracting Scandal Sparks Call For House Probe

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A key lawmaker urged Congress on Wednesday to probe whether a program aimed at awarding no-bid federal contracts to Native-owned corporations in Alaska was especially vulnerable to fraud and abuse.

Birmingham Civil Rights Leader Fred Shuttlesworth Dies

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who was once described by Martin Luther King Jr. as "the most courageous civil rights fighter in the South," died in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday at age 89.

Secret Panel Can Put Americans On "kill List'

WASHINGTON - American militants like Anwar al-Awlaki are placed on a kill or capture list by a secretive panel of senior government officials, which then informs the president of its decisions, according to officials.

Wall Street Protest Grows As Unions Swell Ranks

NEW YORK - Thousands of anti-Wall Street demonstrators converged on New York's financial district on Wednesday, their ranks swelled by nurses, transit workers and other union members joining the protest over economic inequality and the power of U.S. financial institutions.

Accuweather Forecasts Extreme Cold Winter For Chicago

- Private forecaster Accuweather.com said on Wednesday that heavy snow and extreme cold should be expected in the north central United States, especially in the Chicago area, in the coming winter.

Dining Out Holds Steady As Prices Rise: Survey

NEW YORK - The economy may be shaky and markets might be tanking, but New Yorkers' dining out patterns show no signs of belt-tightening, according to a new poll.

Thousands Of California Inmates Join Hunger Strike

LOS ANGELES - Thousands of inmates in up to eight California prisons have taken part in a 9-day-old hunger strike, demanding an end to what they call inhumane conditions, prison officials and an inmate advocacy group said on Tuesday.

California Governor Vetoes Child-care Unionization

SACRAMENTO, Calif - California Governor Jerry Brown, saying "no" to the organized labor groups that helped elect him, vetoed a bill on Tuesday to allow some child-care workers to unionize.

One Dead In New York Helicopter Crash

NEW YORK - One person died and four others were injured when a helicopter crashed into New York City's East River on Tuesday, setting off a rescue effort in the choppy, murky waters, police said.

Baby Girl Feared Abducted From Crib In Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Police searched for a 10-month old girl feared abducted from her bedroom in Kansas City on Tuesday but canceled an Amber Alert issued earlier in the day.

Three Shot Dead On Crow Indian Reservation In Montana

MISSOULA, Mont - An elderly woman, her granddaughter and the girl's boyfriend were shot dead on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana on Tuesday, and authorities searched into the night for the suspected gunman, FBI and tribal officials said.

California Governor Vetoes Child-care Unionization

SACRAMENTO, California - California Governor Jerry Brown, saying "no" to the organized labor groups that helped elect him, vetoed a bill on Tuesday to allow some child-care workers to unionize.

Cleared On Appeal, Amanda Knox Returns Home To Seattle

SEATTLE/PERUGIA - Amanda Knox returned home to Seattle on Tuesday, one day after an Italian court cleared the 24-year-old college student of murder and freed her from prison.

Hank Williams Jr. Apologizes For Obama-Hitler Comment

LOS ANGELES - Country music singer Hank Williams Jr. canceled a Fox News Channel interview on Tuesday and said he was sorry for any offense given by his recent statement comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler.

Former CIA Contractor Charged With Felony Assault

DENVER - A former CIA contractor who sparked a diplomatic flap when he shot dead two Pakistani men in Lahore in January was charged with felony assault in Colorado on Monday stemming from a fight over a parking space.

Texas Man To Go Free After DNA Shows He Did Not Kill Wife

AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas man imprisoned for 25 years in the beating death of his wife will walk free this week after new DNA evidence linked another man to the crime, the prosecutor told Reuters on Monday.

Hundreds Evacuated After Texas Chemical Plant Fire

DALLAS - A large fire at a chemical plant south of Dallas that sent an enormous plume of smoke into the air on Monday forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents in the city of Waxahachie, fire officials said.

Woman In Somali Militant Funding Trial Held In Contempt

MINNEAPOLIS - One of two Minnesota women facing charges of raising money for the al Qaeda-affiliated Somali group al-Shabaab was cited for criminal contempt on Monday after refusing to stand as a federal judge entered the courtroom.

Yellowstone Euthanizes Grizzly Linked To Two Fatalities

CODY, Wyo - A mother grizzly previously allowed to roam free after killing a hiker in Yellowstone National Park in July has been euthanized after being linked to a second fatal bear mauling in August, park officials said on Monday.

Sweeping Clean Water Settlement Approved For Montana

SALMON, Idaho - A federal judge has approved a far-reaching settlement giving Montana until 2014 to clean up polluted streams and lakes in 28 watersheds across the state, capping nearly 15 years of legal battles, officials said on Monday.

Amnesty International Seeks To Stop Georgia Execution

ATLANTA - Death penalty opponents urged Georgia on Monday to halt the execution of a man convicted of raping and killing a woman in 1994, saying there was inadequate evidence linking him to the crime.

Appeals Court Weighs Extension Of Loughner Treatment

PHOENIX - Federal prosecutors asked an appeals court on Monday to reject an emergency plea by Tucson shooting rampage suspect Jared Loughner to block his return to a Missouri prison hospital for more psychiatric treatment.

Accused Pentagon Plotter Pleads Not Guilty

BOSTON - A Massachusetts man accused of plotting to attack U.S. targets using model aircraft, in a case that reignited concern about the risk of a home-grown militant attack, pleaded not guilty on Monday to the charges.

Italian Appeal Court Clears Amanda Knox Of Murder

PERUGIA, Italy - Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend left prison after four years Monday when an Italian appeals court cleared them of the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher.

Fugitive Murder Suspect Shot Dead In Northern California

OAKLAND, Calif - An opium-growing recluse wanted in connection with two murders in northern California was shot to death by police officers on Saturday, capping a five-week-long manhunt through dense, rugged woodlands.

Dreams For National Slavery Museum Caught In Bankruptcy

CHESAPEAKE, Va - Exploring one of the country's darkest chapters, the United States National Slavery Museum was supposed to open four years ago on 38 acres along the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Charleston Singers Keep Spiritual, Oral Traditions Alive

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - At an historic African American Episcopal Church in Charleston, the Mt. Zion Spiritual Singers keep alive a century-old tradition -- singing unpublished Negro spirituals passed down orally and accompanied only by hand clapping and foot stomping.

Latter-day Saints Launch "I'm A Mormon" Ad Campaign

DENVER - "The Book of Mormon" debuted this year as a Broadway hit that won nine Tonys, and the 2012 race for the Republican presidential nomination features not one, but two candidates of the Mormon faith.

Homeowners Gradually Rebuild In Tornado-ravaged Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo - Four months ago, a tornado swept Rick and Jolene Huffman out of their house and dumped them unconscious into a clearing more than a block away.

New York Teen Bullied Even In Death

BUFFALO, New York - Weeks after the suicide of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer in western New York, school officials, police and lawmakers are grappling with ways to prevent the kind of schoolyard bullying being blamed for his death.

Man Accused Of 1957 Murder Also Charged With A Teen's Rape

CHICAGO - A Seattle man accused of killing a young Chicago-area girl in 1957 now has been charged as well with sexually assaulting a teenage girl, Illinois authorities said.

California Prevents Ban On Male Circumcision

LOS ANGELES - California Governor Jerry Brown announced on Sunday that he signed a bill preventing local authorities from banning the practice of male circumcision.

Pride May Be A Problem When Bloomberg Testifies In Court

NEW YORK - Defense lawyers are hoping New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's famous self-confidence will be his downfall when he testifies on Monday against the political consultant accused of stealing more than $1 million from him, legal and political experts say.

Anti-Wall Street Protesters Vow To Keep Up Fight

NEW YORK - Anti-Wall Street protesters vowed to keep up their fight on Sunday despite the arrests of more than 700 people the previous day for blocking traffic lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge in an unauthorized protest.

High School Marching Band Members Injured In Fatal Crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn - The driver of a sport utility vehicle was killed Saturday in a crash with a school bus, which also injured nine members of a Tennessee high school marching band and their driver, officials said.

U.S. Issues Travel Alert After Awlaki Death

WASHINGTON - The State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Saturday warning of the possibility of anti-American attacks in response to the killing of two top al Qaeda members.

Black Cherokee Lose Lawsuit But Tribal Citizen Issue Unsettled

OKLAHOMA CITY - An attorney for African-Americans in the Cherokee Indian tribe said on Saturday the legal campaign to stop the tribe from purging its citizenship rolls of non-Indians will continue despite the dismissal of a lawsuit against the tribe.

Small Market Brewers Chase Big Dreams

MILWAUKEE - For years, the only September race that held any interest for Milwaukee Brewers fans was a sprint between the team's famous sausage mascots before the bottom of the sixth inning of every home game.

Fugitive Murder Suspect Shot Dead In Northern California

OAKLAND, Calif - An opium-growing recluse wanted in connection with two murders in northern California was shot to death by police officers on Saturday, capping a five-week-long manhunt through dense, rugged woodlands.

Obama Criticizes Republican Rivals In Speech To Gays

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama criticized Republican presidential candidates on Saturday for not defending a gay American soldier who was booed by the crowd at a Republican debate last week.

Dreams For National Slavery Museum Caught In Bankruptcy

CHESAPEAKE, Va - Exploring one of the country's darkest chapters, the United States National Slavery Museum was supposed to open four years ago on 38 acres along the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Thousands Attend Funeral Of Executed Convict Troy Davis

SAVANNAH, Georgia - Thousands of people packed a church in Georgia on Saturday for the funeral of Troy Davis, who was executed for the murder of a police officer in a case that drew world attention because of claims by his advocates that he was innocent.

Connecticut Toddler Dies After Pit Bull Attack: Police

CONWAY, Mass - A 20-month-old girl died after being attacked by as many as three pit bulls Friday evening inside an apartment house in West Haven, Connecticut, police said on Saturday.

More Than 700 Arrested In Wall Street Protest

NEW YORK - Police reopened the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday evening after more than 700 anti-Wall Street protesters were arrested for blocking traffic lanes and attempting an unauthorized march across the span.