Judge Halts Georgia Execution Of Man Who Killed Woman, Child

ATLANTA - A judge halted the execution on Tuesday of a man who had been due to be put to death in Georgia for terrorizing and murdering a woman and her 3-year-old daughter during a 2001 home invasion that turned into mayhem, officials said.

NYPD T-shirts Banned From Wear By Actual Police

NEW YORK - Here's something New York City police officers can cross off their birthday lists - an NYPD T-shirt.

Heavy Snows Cause "moose Emergency" Concern In Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Heavy snows in parts of Alaska are taking a deadly toll on moose as deep snowdrifts force the animals into hazardous detours on plowed roads and railroad tracks, officials said on Tuesday, prompting one group to seek declaration of a "moose emergency."

First Canada Lynx In 15 Years Found In Idaho

SALMON, Idaho - A Canada lynx has been documented in Idaho for the first time in over 15 years when the imperiled cat was inadvertently caught in a foot-hold trap in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, state wildlife officials said on Tuesday.

Breast Cancer Charity Ends Planned Parenthood Funding

- Planned Parenthood said on Tuesday that the leading U.S. breast-cancer charity would no longer provide new funding to the group, which performs abortions and other services at clinics around the country.

California Nuclear Plant Shuts Down Reactor As Precaution

LOS ANGELES - One of two reactors at the San Onofre nuclear power station in Southern California was shut down on Tuesday after a small leak was detected in a steam generator tube, but the incident posed no risk to the public or plant workers, the facility operator said.

Florida College Cancels Band Camp After Hazing Scandal

ORLANDO, Fla - A Florida university on Tuesday banned all student organizations from recruiting new members until next fall and cancelled a band camp following the death of marching band drum major Robert Champion last November in a hazing incident.

Prosecutors Want Non-local Jury For Sandusky Trial

- State prosecutors want former Penn State University football coach Jerry Sandusky's sex abuse trial to be heard by a jury brought in from another county, saying the case would be in "peril" if the jury was composed of local residents.

California Family Settles Lawsuit Over Leaked Crash Images

LOS ANGELES - The family of a teen whose mangled corpse was shown in horrific car-crash photos that went viral online has settled a lawsuit against the California Highway Patrol for $2.37 million, ending a 5-year legal battle that changed state law.

Bid To Halt No-camping Rule For DC Protesters Denied

WASHINGTON - A federal judge denied a petition on Tuesday that would have allowed anti-Wall Street protesters to keep camping - at least temporarily - in two parks in the nation's capital where they have lived for months.

Pinkberry Co-founder Pleads Not Guilty To Assault

LOS ANGELES - Pinkberry co-founder Young Lee on Monday pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, stemming from a confrontation with a panhandler that police say ended with Lee hitting the man with a tire iron.

Pennsylvania Councilman Arrested Three Decades After Woman's Death

PHILADELPHIA - A borough councilman in Western Pennsylvania was in jail on Monday, charged with strangling a lover whose body, bound with rope, was found in her bed more than 30 years ago.

Study: Invasive Pythons Wiping Out Native Everglades Animals

- A slithering, surging population of Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades, many of them escaped or abandoned pets, appears to be eating its way through many animals native to the sensitive wetlands, according to a new study.

"Spam" Meat Tied To Diabetes Risk In Native Americans: Study

- Native Americans who often ate processed meat in a can, generically known as "spam" and a common food on reservations, one subsidized by the government -- had a two-fold increased risk of developing diabetes over those who ate little or none, according to a U.S. study.

Arrests In Oakland Protests Rise To More Than 400

OAKLAND, Calif - Crews cleaned up Oakland's historic City Hall on Sunday from damage inflicted overnight during violent anti-Wall Street protests that resulted in about 400 arrests, marking one of the largest mass arrests since nationwide protests began last year.

Workers To Hit Darden With Wage, Discrimination Claims

- A restaurant workers group said it will sue Darden Restaurants Inc in federal court in Chicago on Tuesday, accusing the company's high-end Capital Grille steakhouse chain of racial discrimination and violations of state and federal labor laws.

Freed Somalia Hostage Buchanan Arriving In Pennsylvania

NEW YORK - Jessica Buchanan, rescued by U.S. special forces in Somalia after three months in captivity, is due to arrive home in Pennsylvania on Monday, her father told ABC World News.

Marine Guilty Of Assault In Court-martial Linked To Suicide

HONOLULU - A Marine pleaded guilty on Monday in a court-martial hearing to assault on a fellow Marine, who killed himself in Afghanistan shortly after suffering the attack.

Florida Highway Crash Report Details Scary Scene

ORLANDO, Fla - A new report on the Florida highway pileup on Sunday that killed 10 people describes a frightening scene of semi-trailer trucks driving into a cloud of smoke and fog, stopping in the road and being hit by the vehicles behind, killing some people inside.

Protesters In Capital Pledge To Stay Despite Ban

WASHINGTON - Defiant anti-Wall Street protesters in Washington vowed to remain peacefully entrenched in two parks near the White House on Monday despite a police order to stop camping on federal land, raising the specter of possible confrontation.

Insight: The Great Northern Migration -- Of U.S. Cattle

CHICAGO - For more than a century, through a dozen dry spells when lakes disappeared and the land died, thousands of cows from the Swenson Land & Cattle Co have roamed the fields of Texas.

Economy More Worrying Than Mideast For Florida Jews

AVENTURA, Florida - Newt Gingrich describes the Palestinians as an invented people and seeks covert action against Iran, while Mitt Romney accuses President Barack Obama of throwing Israel under a bus.

USW Tells U.S. Refinery Workers To Prepare For Strike

HOUSTON - The United Steelworkers union told U.S. refinery workers to prepare to offer safe and orderly refinery shutdowns prior to a strike that could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, sources familiar with the union's preparations said on Sunday.

Migrant Trash Piles Up At Remote U.S.-Mexico Border Areas

RIO RICO, Ariz - Picking her way into the desert brush, Raquel Martinez gathered scores of plastic water bottles tossed in an Arizona desert valley near the Mexico border, often by migrants making a risky trek into the United States across increasingly remote terrain.

Economic Protester Tased At Park Near White House

WASHINGTON - Park police used a Taser to subdue an anti-Wall Street protester during an arrest at a park near the White House on Sunday as tension rose ahead of a police order for the demonstrators to stop camping in the parks overnight.

Five Dead At Bullet-riddled Home In Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - The bodies of five people shot dead were found early on Sunday morning at a house riddled with bullet holes west of downtown Birmingham, the Birmingham Police Department said.

Catholics Hear Protests Of Obama Health Ruling At Mass

- U.S. Catholic bishops and priests across the country read out letters at Mass on Sunday protesting plans by President Barack Obama's administration to force religiously-affiliated nonprofit groups to offer birth-control coverage to women employees.

Florida Highway Smashes Kill 10 People

ORLANDO, Florida - Ten people died and at least 18 were injured in a series of accidents before dawn Sunday near Gainesville after smoke and fog reduced visibility on the main interstate highway, police said.

Detroit's Best-dressed Man Aims To Mend Motown

- The Big Three automakers may be on the rebound but the original Motor City, Detroit, is still battling to turn the tide of decline. One of the people leading the fight is Charles Pugh.

Arrests In Oakland Protests Rise To More Than 400

OAKLAND, Calif - Crews cleaned up Oakland's historic City Hall on Sunday from damage inflicted overnight during violent anti-Wall Street protests that resulted in about 400 arrests, marking one of the largest mass arrests since nationwide protests began last year.

"Barefoot Bandit" Gets 6.5 Years Of Federal Time

SEATTLE - A serial burglar nicknamed the "Barefoot Bandit" was sentenced on Friday in Seattle to 6-1/2 years in prison for his guilty plea to federal charges stemming from a sensational, two-year crime spree as a sometimes-shoeless teenage runaway.

Former Boston Mayor Kevin White Dies At 82

- Former Boston Mayor Kevin White, who led the city for 16 years and shepherded it through a period of racial tension and court-ordered school desegregation, died on Friday at age 82.

Obama Administration Bolsters Homeowner Lifeline

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration, in an election-year bid to help distressed homeowners, on Friday expanded its main foreclosure prevention program, and pushed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive mortgage debt.

Snowy Owls Soar South From Arctic In Rare Mass Migration

SALMON, Idaho - Bird enthusiasts are reporting rising numbers of snowy owls from the Arctic winging into the lower 48 states this winter in a mass southern migration that a leading owl researcher called "unbelievable."

Prosecutors Plan Retrial In Katrina Shootings Cover-up Case

NEW ORLEANS - Federal prosecutors plan to seek a retrial for a retired New Orleans police detective accused of conspiring to cover up wrongdoing in police killings in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a spokeswoman said on Saturday.

Blood Found Where Missing Maine Girl Last Seen

- Authorities have found blood at the Waterville, Maine, home where a missing 20-month-old girl vanished six weeks ago and have serious doubts she was abducted, police said on Saturday.

Thousands Greet Veterans At St. Louis Parade

ST. LOUIS - Thousands of people lined the streets of downtown St. Louis on Saturday cheering on marchers in a parade honoring veterans of America's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the nation's first major welcome to soldiers since the end of the Iraq War.

Three Killed When Sacramento Commuter Train Hits Vehicle

- At least three people, including a toddler, were killed when a light rail train carrying 50 passengers hit a vehicle in Sacramento on Saturday, and investigators were working to determine the cause, police said.

Sandusky Asks Court To Allow Visits With Grandchildren

HARRISBURG, Pa - Former Penn State University football coach Jerry Sandusky, who is under house arrest on charges of child sexual abuse, has asked a Pennsylvania court to allow supervised visits with his grandchildren that are now prohibited.

Police, Oakland Protesters Clash, 120 Arrested

OAKLAND - Riot police fought running clashes with anti-Wall street protesters in Oakland on Saturday, firing tear gas and arresting 120 people in scuffles that injured three officers and at least one demonstrator.

Arizona Candidate Appeals English Ability Court Decision

PHOENIX - A woman barred from seeking elected office in an Arizona border town by a judge who ruled she did not have a sufficient grasp of English has decided to fight the controversial ruling, and filed an appeal on Friday, her lawyer said.

At Home In Texas, Perry Gets Rocky Welcome

AUSTIN, Texas - Governor Rick Perry has gotten a rocky welcome home to Texas, facing low poll numbers and criticism over state expenses related to his failed campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

Mistrial Declared In Katrina Police Shootings Case

NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge declared a mistrial on Friday in the case of a retired police detective accused of conspiring to cover up wrongdoing in fatal police shootings in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a lawyer for the officer said.

Union Membership Slipped Further As Attacks Came In 2011

CHICAGO - The percentage of workers represented by a union dipped slightly in 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday, as organized labor came under attack in states once considered union strongholds, including Wisconsin and Ohio.

Washington State Marijuana Legalization Headed For Ballot

- Supporters of legalizing marijuana for recreational use have submitted enough signatures to put the matter to voters in Washington state in a bold move that, if successful, could put Olympia on a collision course with the federal government.

Berkeley Energy Lab Plans Big Expansion

OAKLAND, Calif - The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory said it will expand beyond its 200-acre Berkeley, California, campus with a 90-acre site in neighboring Richmond, California, hoping to ride gains in U.S. government energy research funding.

St. Louis To Host First Major Parade For Iraq War Vets

ST. LOUIS - At least 1,000 Iraq War veterans and their family members are expected to march in St. Louis on Saturday in the nation's first major homecoming parade honoring U.S. soldiers who served in the war, a coalition of veteran groups, private citizens and local officials said.

"Barefoot Bandit" Gets 6.5 Years Of Federal Time

SEATTLE - A serial burglar nicknamed the "Barefoot Bandit" was sentenced on Friday in Seattle to 6-1/2 years in prison for his guilty plea to federal charges stemming from a sensational, two-year crime spree as a sometimes-shoeless teenage runaway.

Former Boston Mayor Kevin White Dies At 82

- Former Boston Mayor Kevin White, who led the city for 16 years and shepherded it through a period of racial tension and court-ordered school desegregation, died on Friday at age 82.

Obama Administration Bolsters Homeowner Lifeline

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration, in an election-year bid to help distressed homeowners, on Friday expanded its main foreclosure prevention program, and pushed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive mortgage debt.

California Lawmakers Move To Limit Protests At Funerals

SACRAMENTO, Calif - California's state Senate approved a bill on Thursday to restrict protests at funerals in a move aimed at limiting the impact of controversial demonstrations like those led by a fringe Kansas-based church against homosexuality.

Mother Of Slain Scout Wants West Memphis Three Case Reopened

LITTLE ROCK, Ark - The mother of one of the three Cub Scouts killed in Arkansas in 1993 - a case that is the subject of a documentary nominated for an Academy Award - wants the case reopened because of what she called crucial new evidence.

Minnesota Laying Groundwork For Gray Wolf Hunt

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota officials on Thursday outlined plans to permit a hunting season for the gray wolf this year following its removal from federal endangered species protections, prompting opponents of the plan to consider a court challenge.

Environmentalists Sue To Protect Whales From Navy Sonar

SAN FRANCISCO - Environmentalists sued the U.S. government on Thursday over naval training exercises off the West Coast involving sonar that they say harms endangered marine animals in the Pacific Ocean including killer whales.

Lawyer Gives Up $14 Million Iowa Lottery Ticket Claim

NEW YORK - The New York lawyer who tried to redeem a multi-million dollar lottery ticket in Iowa last month -- only to have his claim called into question by officials demanding to know who he represented -- is giving up the quest for the jackpot.

San Francisco Sheriff Denied Contact With Son

SAN FRANCISCO - Embattled San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, who faces a charge of spousal abuse, failed on Thursday to have a judge lift a protective order that prevents him from having contact with his 2-year-old son.

Police Arrest Utah Students Accused Of School Bomb Plot

ROY, Utah - Police in Utah have arrested two high school students accused of making detailed plans to bomb a school assembly and then escape in a plane they planned to fly themselves, police said on Thursday.

Facebook Takes On 'clickjacking' Spammers In Court

SEATTLE - Facebook and the state of Washington sued a company on Thursday they accused of a practice called "clickjacking" that fools users of the world's top social network into visiting advertising sites, divulging personal information and spreading the scam to friends.

Texas Executes Man Caught Years After Crime By DNA

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas executed a convicted murderer by lethal injection on Thursday, administering the ultimate punishment to a man who had been paroled for an assault in Michigan when his DNA linked him to a years-old murder in San Antonio.

Paterno's Long Goodbye Ends With Public Memorial

STATE COLLEGE, Pa - The son of late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno told 10,000 mourners on Thursday his father died "with a clear conscience," and former players shared why they worshipped the man in a final goodbye to the legendary "JoePa."

Indiana State House Approves Right-to-work Bill

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana moved one step closer to becoming the first right-to-work state in the country's old manufacturing belt on Wednesday after its Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation banning unions from collecting mandatory dues from workers.

Man Pleads Not Guilty In NJ Synagogue Firebombings

NEW YORK - A 19-year-old man accused of attempted murder in the firebombing of two New Jersey synagogues including one that housed a rabbi who was burned when fire ignited a blanket on his bed pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

Muslims Urge Resignation Of NY Police Chief Over Video

NEW YORK - U.S. Muslim civil rights groups demanded the resignation of New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly on Wednesday amid a controversy over the repeated screening of an offensive video.

Lawsuit Challenges "sheltered Workshops" For Oregon's Disabled

PORTLAND, Ore - Thousands of disabled Oregonians are stuck segregated in dead-end jobs at "sheltered workshops," in violation of federal law, because of failed state programs that should help them find mainstream employment, according to a landmark lawsuit filed on Wednesday.

Alaska Airlines Ends Decades-old Prayer Card Tradition

SEATTLE - Alaska Airlines, America's seventh-largest carrier in terms of passenger traffic, said on Wednesday that it would end a decades-old tradition of handing out prayer cards with its in-flight meals.

San Diego Authorities Make Over 100 Gang Arrests

SAN DIEGO - Police and federal agents arrested more than 100 suspected gang members in San Diego and surrounding communities on Wednesday in a major operation on charges including drug trafficking and weapons violations, authorities said.

Wisconsin's Walker Touts Job Creation As Hecklers Mar Speech

MADISON - Wisconsin's Republican Governor Scott Walker, whose tumultuous first year in office saw partisan budget battles, massive street protests and a statewide recall effort against him, focused on job creation and ridding government of wasteful spending in a 'state of the state' speech on Wednesday disrupted by heckling.

U.S. Commandos Free Two Hostages In Daring Somalia Raid

MOGADISHU - Elite U.S. Navy SEALs swooped into Somalia on Wednesday and rescued two hostage aid workers after killing their nine kidnappers, a rare and daring raid in the Horn of Africa nation to free foreign captives.

Joe Paterno Buried After Thousands Pay Vigil

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania - Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was buried in a private ceremony on Wednesday after tens of thousands of mourners paid vigil in frigid weather as his hearse was carried from a closed funeral.

Giffords Quits Congress To Focus On Recovery

WASHINGTON - Amid tears, salutes and standing ovations, Representative Gabrielle Giffords submitted her resignation from Congress on Wednesday to focus on her recovery from an assassination attempt in Tucson, Arizona, last year.

Rockefeller Imposter Ordered To Stand Trial For Murder

LOS ANGELES - A German man who once posed as a member of the wealthy Rockefeller family was ordered on Tuesday to stand trial for murder in the 1985 death of his landlord and neighbor.

Hope Fades For Four Missing At Mount Rainier, Park Service Says

SEATTLE - Chances are slim of finding four people alive who have been missing since last week on Mount Rainier in Washington state as rescue efforts were suspended on Tuesday due to a snow storm that hit the region, a Park Service official said.

Police Detective's Trial Opens Old Katrina Wounds

NEW ORLEANS - A New Orleans homicide detective conspired with other police officers to cover up the fatal shootings of two civilians and wounding of four others in the days after Hurricane Katrina, according to court testimony on Tuesday.

German Man Pleads Innocent In Los Angeles Arson Spree

LOS ANGELES - A German national pleaded innocent on Tuesday to charges stemming from a wave of fires set across Los Angeles over the New Year's weekend in what authorities called a spasm of anti-American rage.

Irish "Troubles" Case In Boston Pits Researchers Vs. Police

BOSTON/DUBLIN - - A legal dispute in Boston pits researchers' academic freedom against a police quest to solve one of the most notorious killings of Ireland's sectarian "Troubles."

Bus Passengers Get Prison In Texas Cash Smuggling Case

McALLEN, Texas - A federal judge sentenced a busload of passengers to prison terms of up to three years for their role in a foiled smuggling operation to ferry more than $3.1 million in cash into Mexico, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson said on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Mayor Signs Porn Star Condom Requirement

LOS ANGELES - Porn actors in Los Angeles will have to use condoms on the set as a condition of obtaining a film permit under a first-in-the-nation requirement quietly signed into law by the mayor, and a nearby community was considering a similar rule.

Government Opens Case Against Accused Swindler Stanford

HOUSTON - Texas financier Allen Stanford used lies and bribes to steal the hard-earned savings of his customers, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

U.S. Marine Spared From Jail Time In Iraq Killings

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif - A U.S. Marine accused of leading a 2005 massacre of 24 civilians in the Iraqi city of Haditha was spared jail time when he was sentenced on Tuesday for his role in killings that brought international condemnation on U.S. troops.

New York Police Officer Pleads Guilty In Civil Rights Case

NEW YORK - A New York City police officer pleaded guilty on Tuesday to federal charges that he violated an African-American man's civil rights by arresting him on false charges.

Man Who Escaped Serial Killer Dahmer Gets Prison Sentence

MILWAUKEE - Tracy Edwards, the man who two decades ago helped police capture one of the nation's most notorious serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer, was sentenced to prison on Monday for involvement in a fight that led to the death of a homeless man.

Senator Kirk Faces Some Paralysis After Stroke

CHICAGO - Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois could face paralysis in his left arm and possibly in his left leg after suffering a debilitating stroke over the weekend, his physician said on Monday.

Insight: Bull Run In U.S. Cattle May Lose Steam, For Now

CHICAGO - Texas rancher Jim Selman is on the verge of going out of the cattle business, a victim of one of the worst droughts since the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.

Four Florida College Students Expelled Over Hazing

TALLAHASSEE, Fla - Four members of the Florida A&M University marching band were expelled on Monday for hazing, the latest in a series of actions following the death of drum major Robert Champion in November.

Missing Snowmobiler Rescued But Second Found Dead

DENVER - One of two snowmobilers missing following an avalanche in northwestern Colorado was rescued after an exhaustive search on Monday but the other was found dead, authorities said.

Longest-serving Pennsylvania Lawmaker Goes On Trial

HARRISBURG, Penn - The corruption trial of Pennsylvania's longest-serving state lawmaker, H. William DeWeese, opened on Monday with prosecutors describing him as "a common thief with uncommon access to other people's money."

Gay Marriage Has Votes To Pass In Washington State

OLYMPIA, Wash - A bill to legalize gay marriage in Washington now has enough votes to pass the state legislature, a lawmaker who sponsored the measure said on Monday, as the state moved closer to becoming the nation's seventh to legalize same-sex unions.

Penn State Mourns Longtime Coach Joe Paterno

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania - Penn State students and supporters laid flowers and lit candles on Monday as they mourned the death of Joe Paterno, who won more games than any other U.S. major college football coach but saw his legacy tarnished by a child sexual abuse scandal at the school.

Supreme Court Rules Police Need Warrant For GPS Tracking

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that police cannot put a GPS device on a suspect's car to track his movements without a warrant, a test case that upholds basic privacy rights in the face of new surveillance technology.

Marine Pleads Guilty, Ending Final Haditha Trial

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Marine sergeant accused of leading a massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha pleaded guilty on Monday to dereliction of duty, ending the final prosecution stemming from a 2005 incident that brought international condemnation of U.S. troops.

Abducted Colorado Girl, 9, Escapes Captor By Calling Police

DENVER - A 9-year-old Colorado girl abducted while walking home from school on Thursday managed to escape her kidnapper after a harrowing 18-hour ordeal by calling police from a convenience store, police said on Saturday.

Six Marines Killed In Afghanistan Crash Identified

- Jan 21 - Six U.S. soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan were identified by the U.S. Defense Department on Saturday.

Bonnie And Clyde Guns Bring $210,000 In Missouri Auction

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Two guns believed seized from gangsters Bonnie and Clyde in 1933 after a deadly Missouri shootout with police sold for a combined $210,000 at an auction on Saturday in Kansas City to an unnamed online bidder.

At 23, New Treasurer Works To Save Harrisburg

HARRISBURG - In the battle to repair the tattered finances of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, residents have turned to an unlikely city treasurer: a 23-year-old college student.

Epic Clash: Silicon Valley Blindsides Hollywood On Piracy

- The massive online protest last Wednesday, in which Wikipedia and thousands of other websites closed down or otherwise protested and helped to kill controversial online piracy legislation, was widely heralded as an unprecedented case of a grassroots uprising overcoming backroom lobbying.

Six Hurt In "sweet Sixteen" Birthday Party Shooting

LOS ANGELES - Five teenagers and one young adult were hospitalized for gunshot wounds after bullets started flying at a "sweet sixteen" birthday party in Antioch, a bay area suburb of San Francisco, police said on Sunday.

Mississippi Ex-governor Says Pardons Were Misrepresented

WASHINGTON - Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour on Sunday blamed political opponents for much of the uproar set off after he pardoned more than 200 criminals.

U.S. Housing More Affordable Than Other English Countries: Study

- Would-be American home-buyers can take heart: U.S. housing is more affordable than in other English-speaking countries, according to a study of metropolitan areas around the world.

Tornadoes Strike Arkansas As Storms Menace South

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - Twisters downed trees and powerlines in Arkansas leaving thousands without power late Sunday, as forecasters warned that tornadoes and heavy storms could mete out damage to several southeast states into Monday.

Joe Paterno, Revered Coach Tainted By Scandal, Dies

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania - Penn State's Joe Paterno, the winningest coach in major college football history who was fired in November over a child sexual abuse scandal involving an assistant that rocked America, died on Sunday of lung cancer. He was 85.

Fireplace Ashes Ignited Nevada Fire That Gutted 26

RENO, Nevada - The careless disposal of hot fireplace ashes by an elderly man ignited the fierce brush fire that destroyed 26 houses, prompted thousands of people to flee their homes and closed a major highway near northern Nevada's largest city, officials said on Friday.

Congress Has Legal Clout On Keystone Pipeline: Study

WASHINGTON - The Congress has the constitutional right to legislate permits for cross-border oil pipelines like TransCanada's Keystone XL, according to a new legal analysis released late on Friday.

Former Army Soldier Sentenced For Killing Wife, Baby

ANCHORAGE - A former Army soldier who was convicted of killing his wife and baby daughter shortly after returning from combat in Afghanistan was sentenced on Friday to 80 years in prison for the crimes.

Insight: Mississippi Pardons Benefited Whites By Big Margin

- Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's grants of commutations or pardons to more than 200 prisoners, all but eight in his final days in office, disproportionately benefited white offenders among a predominantly black prison population, a Reuters analysis found.

Subculture Of Americans Prepares For Civilization's Collapse

- When Patty Tegeler looks out the window of her home overlooking the Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia, she sees trouble on the horizon.

Abducted Colorado Girl, 9, Escapes Captor By Calling Police

DENVER - A 9-year-old Colorado girl abducted while walking home from school on Thursday managed to escape her kidnapper after a harrowing 18-hour ordeal by calling police from a convenience store, police said on Saturday.

Six Marines Killed In Afghanistan Crash Identified

- Jan 21 - Six U.S. soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan were identified by the U.S. Defense Department on Saturday.

Bonnie And Clyde Guns Bring $210,000 In Missouri Auction

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Two guns believed seized from gangsters Bonnie and Clyde in 1933 after a deadly Missouri shootout with police sold for a combined $210,000 at an auction on Saturday in Kansas City to an unnamed online bidder.

Fast-moving Snowstorm Hits Northeast

- After an unusually mild winter across much of the United States, a fast-moving snowstorm struck the Northeast from central Pennsylvania to Connecticut on Saturday, while the Pacific Northwest struggled to recover from a rare heavy snowfall.

Former Penn State Coach Joe Paterno's Health Status Serious

- The health of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, who was fired last November in the wake of a child sex abuse scandal involving an assistant coach, has deteriorated and his status is serious, a family spokesman said on Saturday.

Two Top Penn State Board Members Step Aside

PHILADELPHIA - The two top officers of Penn State's Board of Trustees, enmeshed in the school's child sex abuse scandal, announced on Friday they would not seek re-election to their leadership posts.

"Occupy" Targets Banks, Corporate Campaign Spending

SAN FRANCISCO - Hundreds of Occupy activists clashed with police and stormed a vacant hotel in San Francisco on Friday, capping a day of protests in the city's financial district and separate anti-Wall Street rallies at federal courthouses across the country.

South Korea Decries U.S. Washing Machine Probe

SEOUL - South Korea objected strongly on Saturday to a planned U.S. investigation into imports of Korean washing machines which could trigger huge import duties, saying the action was unfair.

U.S. Appeals Court Says Sex Offenders Have Right To Libraries

DENVER - A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that a policy barring registered sex offenders from public libraries in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was unconstitutional, a decision that could have reverberations across the nation.

Victim Identified In Hollywood Severed Head Case

LOS ANGELES - A man whose severed head, hands and feet were found in the hills below the famed Hollywood sign overlooking Los Angeles was identified by the coroner's office on Friday as 66-year-old Hervey Coronado Medellin.

Trial Of Accused Haditha Ringleader Resumes Without Plea Deal

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif - The court-martial of a U.S. Marine sergeant accused of leading a 2005 massacre of civilians in the Iraqi city of Haditha resumed on Friday without a plea deal, suggesting that court-sanctioned negotiations toward such an agreement had stalled.

Fireplace Ashes Ignited Nevada Fire That Gutted 26

RENO, Nevada - The careless disposal of hot fireplace ashes by an elderly man ignited the fierce brush fire that destroyed 26 houses, prompted thousands of people to flee their homes and closed a major highway near northern Nevada's largest city, officials said on Friday.

Congress Has Legal Clout On Keystone Pipeline: Study

WASHINGTON - The Congress has the constitutional right to legislate permits for cross-border oil pipelines like TransCanada's Keystone XL, according to a new legal analysis released late on Friday.

Former Army Soldier Sentenced For Killing Wife, Baby

ANCHORAGE - A former Army soldier who was convicted of killing his wife and baby daughter shortly after returning from combat in Afghanistan was sentenced on Friday to 80 years in prison for the crimes.

Insight: Mississippi Pardons Benefited Whites By Big Margin

- Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's grants of commutations or pardons to more than 200 prisoners, all but eight in his final days in office, disproportionately benefited white offenders among a predominantly black prison population, a Reuters analysis found.

Cities Look Abroad For Economic Hope

WASHINGTON - Whipped by the recession and financial crisis, U.S. cities are looking far beyond their borders to grow their local economies.

Violent Sex Crimes By U.S. Army Soldiers Rise: Report

- Violent sex crimes committed by active U.S. Army soldiers have almost doubled over the past five years, due in part to the trauma of war, according to an Army report released on Thursday.

New York State Comptroller Blasts Gov's 401(k) Plan

- In an unusual public attack, the New York state comptroller blasted Governor Andrew Cuomo's recommendation that public employees be offered the option of enrolling in a 401(k) thrift plan instead of the traditional defined benefit plan.

Most Barbour Pardons Fail Notice Test: Attorney General

- More than three-quarters of the prisoners and ex-convicts pardoned by former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour in his final days in office did not meet the public notice requirements of the state's constitution, Mississippi's attorney general said Thursday.

Possible Plea Deal In Works For Accused Haditha Ringleader

CAMP PENDLETON, California - The court-martial of a Marine sergeant accused of leading a 2005 massacre of civilians in Haditha, Iraq, has been halted as prosecutors and defense attorneys apparently tried to negotiate a possible plea deal.

Nevada Brush Fire Burns Homes, Forces 10,000 To Flee

RENO, Nevada - A wind-driven fire raged through parched brush near Reno, Nevada, on Thursday, engulfing a number of homes, and prompting residents and livestock to flee by the thousands as belching smoke from the blaze forced the closure of a major highway.

Mystery Grows Over Body Parts Found In Hollywood

LOS ANGELES - Police combed the hills below the famed Hollywood sign for more human body parts on Thursday as the mystery deepened surrounding the discovery there of a severed human head, feet and hands.

S.F. Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Spousal Abuse

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi pleaded not guilty on Thursday to misdemeanor counts of domestic violence battery, child endangerment and dissuading a witness, in a contentious hearing that saw his wife sharply criticize the judge.

Exxon To Pay Montana $2.4 Million In Spill Accord

- Exxon Mobil Corp. would pay more than $2 million in penalties and cleanup costs to Montana for a pipeline rupture in July that spilled an estimated 1,500 barrels of oil into the Yellowstone River, according to a proposed legal settlement unveiled on Thursday.

Pacific Northwest Storm Causes Flooding And Outages

SEATTLE/PORTLAND - A deadly ice storm and heavy rains swept across the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, leading to flooding and evacuations in Oregon and heightening the misery of residents in Washington state struggling with power outages and treacherous roads since an earlier record snowfall.

Indiana Democrats Boycott State House, Face Fines

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Republicans voted on Wednesday to begin fining Democratic state representatives $1,000 per day if they stay away from full sessions in a boycott aimed at delaying action on proposed right-to-work legislation.

Michigan Governor Defends Government Takeover Law

DETROIT - Michigan Governor Rick Snyder used his state of the state address on Wednesday to defend a controversial law that makes it easier for the state to intervene in financially troubled local governments and school districts.

Russian Tanker Near Finishing Nome Fuel Delivery

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A Russian tanker was expected to finish offloading 1.3 million gallons of fuel in Nome as early as Wednesday night, officials said, easing an energy shortage in the ice-bound Alaskan port city.

Nebraska Ranchers See Victory In Keystone Rejection

OMAHA, Neb - Nebraska ranchers celebrated the Obama administration's rejection of the proposed Keystone pipeline on Wednesday as a hardfought victory for the state's environmentally sensitive Sandhills region - even as Republican lawmakers vowed to keep fighting for the project.

Panel Backs U.S. Finding On Toyota, Recommends Steps

WASHINGTON - A scientific panel backed a U.S. government finding that electronic software played no role in sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles, but the group questioned the ability of regulators to investigate similar, complex cases on their own in the future without improving their technical expertise.

Rockefeller Imposter Hearing Weighs Possible Murder Charge

LOS ANGELES - A German man who once posed as a member of the wealthy Rockefeller family appeared in a suburban Los Angeles court on Wednesday in a hearing to determine if he should stand trial for murder in the brutal 1985 death of his landlord.

Severed Hands, Feet Found Near Mystery Head In Hollywood

LOS ANGELES - Detectives investigating a decapitated human head found in the hills below the famed Hollywood sign discovered severed hands and feet they believe are from the same body on Wednesday, a Los Angeles police spokesman said.

Analyst's Arrest Puts Cohen's SAC In Spotlight Again

- Hedge fund titan Steven A. Cohen is once again in the spotlight over allegations of improper trading at his $14 billion SAC Capital Advisors.

In Bid To Unseat Wisconsin Governor, Wither The Challengers?

MILWAUKEE - Critics of Wisconsin's Governor Scott Walker showed on Tuesday how unpopular he is with many voters, filing more than 1 million signed petitions -- nearly twice the number needed -- to force the first-term Republican to defend himself in a special election.

Seattle Faces Unusually Strong Snowfall

SEATTLE - A Pacific storm blanketed Seattle in more than 4 inches of snow on Wednesday, forcing school closures and airline flight cancellations and snarling traffic throughout a city more accustomed to rain than severe winter weather.

End To California Prison Receiver "in Sight": Judge

SAN FRANCISCO - California's ability to provide health care to its prison inmates has improved so much since a receiver was appointed to oversee it that the state should prepare to resume some oversight, a District Court judge said on Tuesday.

Iraq Vet Charged With Killing 4 California Transients

SANTA ANA, Calif - An Iraq war veteran accused of knifing four homeless men to death, stabbing them each dozens of times in a bloody killing spree that rattled Orange County, California, was charged on Tuesday with murder.

Los Angeles Mandates Porn Stars Wear Condoms

LOS ANGELES - Porn stars in Los Angeles will be legally required to wear condoms during film shoots after the city council voted on Tuesday to mandate their use, despite a threat by skin flick producers to leave town over the requirement.

Accused California Hair Salon Gunman Indicted On Murder Charges

LOS ANGELES - A man accused of killing eight people at a California hair salon in October while out for revenge against his ex-wife was indicted on Tuesday on first degree murder charges, Orange County prosecutors said.

Tornadoes Touch Down In Indiana, Kentucky And Mississippi

- Tornadoes struck parts of Mississippi, Indiana and Kentucky on Tuesday, including one that hit a home in Mississippi and injured at least one person, meteorologists said.

Wisconsin City's Mayor Survives First Round Of Recall

SHEBOYGAN, Wis - The first-term mayor of a Wisconsin town, a self-described alcoholic who has come under pressure to step down, survived the first round of a recall election on Tuesday by getting more votes than any other candidate.

White House Briefly Locked Down For Smoke Bomb

WASHINGTON - The White House was locked down for more than an hour on Tuesday night as authorities investigated what appeared to be a smoke bomb tossed over the fence of the executive compound, a Secret Service spokesman said.

Hikers Find Severed Head In Bag Under Hollywood Sign

LOS ANGELES - Hikers found a severed human head in a bag below the iconic Hollywood sign in the hills above Los Angeles on Tuesday, prompting a search in the area for an accompanying body, police said.

Occupy Protesters Rally Against Congress At Capitol

WASHINGTON - Demonstrators from the Occupy movement rallied at the Capitol and congressional office buildings on Tuesday to protest against the influence of money on lawmakers.

Seattle Braces For "Snowmageddon"

SEATTLE - Seattle residents on Tuesday braced for an epic storm, expected to drop up to 10 inches of snow and nicknamed "Snowmageddon" for the havoc it was expected to wreak on the region.

Fewer U.S. Children Hospitalized For Near-drowning: Study

- The number of U.S. children being hospitalized after nearly drowning is half what it was nearly two decades ago, according to a study that suggests public health campaigns about drowning risks may be working.

Briefing On Injured Skier Sarah Burke Abruptly Canceled

SALT LAKE CITY - Relatives of champion Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke, critically injured in a fall last week, abruptly canceled a news conference they had planned for Monday to provide an update on her condition.

Tiny Dixville Notch Upends Power Plan Of Giant Utility Group

LITTLETON, New Hampshire - Dixville Notch, a tiny hamlet whose early presidential primary returns have helped to dash the hopes of some White House contenders, has upended the power plans of a giant utility consortium.

Obama, Occupy Marchers Mark Martin Luther King Holiday

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama led Americans on Monday in honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., while the Occupy Wall Street movement staged a new march protesting economic injustice.

Organizers Of Bid To Recall Wisconsin Governor Face Deadline

MADISON - Organizers of a petition drive to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker vow to submit more than enough signatures this week to force the controversial first-term Republican to defend his seat in a special vote.

Suspect In Montana Teacher's Abduction Has Long Criminal Record

- One of two men charged with abducting a Montana teacher reported missing and presumed dead was previously convicted in Florida of nearly a dozen crimes, including burglary and drug offenses, and served time in that state's prison system, legal records show.

Missing Snowshoer Found Alive On Mount Rainier

SEATTLE - A 66-year-old snowshoer missing for two nights in harsh conditions on Mount Rainier in Washington was found alive on Monday by members of a search party, a National Park Service official said.

In South Carolina, Attorney General Says Voting Rights At Risk

COLUMBIA, South Carolina - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, appearing at a Martin Luther King holiday rally in South Carolina, warned on Monday that voting rights laws are still at risk and said aggressive enforcement of those laws is "a moral imperative."

U.S. Gun Industry Appeals New Rifle Reporting Rules

WASHINGTON - The gun industry on Monday appealed a U.S. judge's decision to uphold new Obama administration regulations requiring gun dealers in four states bordering Mexico to report the sales of multiple semi-automatic rifles.

Martin Luther King Jr. Is Remembered Across The Nation

CHICAGO/NEW YORK - Americans honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday with a traditional day of service as well as a new wave of economic injustice protests by Occupy Wall Street.

Mount Rainier Rangers Search For Missing Snowshoer

SEATTLE - Park rangers and volunteer mountaineers searched Mount Rainier National Park with snowshoes, skis and dogs for a second day on Sunday looking for a missing 66-year-old snowshoe hike leader.

Tennessee Town Hopes Ghost Search Can Scare Up Cash

NASHVILLE - Harriman, Tennessee hopes that ghosts, or rather ghost hunters, can raise enough money to restore an historic and reputedly haunted building.

Paterno Was Unsure How To Handle Abuse Tip: Report

- Joe Paterno, the longtime Penn State University football coach fired in the fallout from child sex abuse allegations against former assistant Jerry Sandusky, says he was unsure how to handle the first report about Sandusky that reached him in 2002.

Wisconsin's Laura Kaeppeler Crowned Miss America

- Laura Kaeppeler of Wisconsin won the 2012 Miss America crown on Saturday at a Las Vegas pageant that was updated with a reality TV format including a surprise "save" for one contestant and on camera eliminations for others.

"Riches-to-rags" Film On Opulent Family Home Prompts Lawsuit

ORLANDO, Florida - Time share mogul David Siegel welcomed a filmmaker's proposal in 2007 to document his construction of what was to be the nation's largest family home -- an opulent 90,000-square-foot mansion named "Versailles" after the French palace and conceived during a housing boom.

Perry Defends Marines Accused Of Urinating On Corpses

WASHINGTON - Texas Governor Rick Perry, scrambling to keep his U.S. presidential bid alive, accused the Obama administration on Sunday of over-reacting to a videotape that shows four Marines appearing to urinate on dead Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

Two Die In Crash Of Small Airplane Near Cape Cod

- A single-engine airplane flying from Martha's Vineyard to mainland Massachusetts crashed in Cape Cod Bay near the shore on Sunday killing the two people on board, authorities said.

FBI Seeks Possible Burial Site Of Missing Teacher

- The FBI on Sunday asked landowners in parts of Montana and North Dakota to check for possible burial sites in a search for a missing teacher and authorities identified two men they are holding in connection with her disappearance.

Bodies Of Snowmobilers Pulled From Minnesota Lake

MINNEAPOLIS - Divers recovered the bodies of two men Sunday whose snowmobile sank after hitting open water on a lake near the Twin Cities, the first thin-ice related deaths reported in Minnesota in a mild winter that has left ice unreliable across the state.

Obama Honors Martin Luther King At Washington Church

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama celebrated the legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with his family on Sunday, clapping and swaying to the boisterous strains of "Amazing Grace" at a historic Washington D.C. Baptist church.

North Carolina Shooter Dies From Self-inflicted Wound

- The North Carolina lumber company worker who shot dead three fellow employees before turning a shotgun on himself died from his wound on Saturday, police said.

Police: Southern California Killer Of Homeless Arrested

ANAHEIM - A man who was cornered and arrested after knifing to death a street dweller is responsible in the serial slaying of three other homeless men in Southern California, police said on Saturday.

Missing Montana Math Teacher Is Dead, School Officials

- A Montana high school math teacher who vanished last weekend while on her morning jog is dead, and a man has been taken into custody in connection with her disappearance, authorities said on Friday.

Wisconsin's Laura Kaeppeler Crowned Miss America

- Laura Kaeppeler of Wisconsin won the 2012 Miss America crown on Saturday at a Las Vegas pageant that was updated with a reality TV format including a surprise "save" for one contestant and on camera eliminations for others.

Mississippi AG Seeks To Void Governor's Pardons

JACKSON, Mississippi - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said on Friday he would ask a court to overturn the majority of former Governor Haley Barbour's 222 pardons of convicts because they failed to meet constitutional requirements.

PepsiCo Says Finds Trace Fungicide In Orange Juice

CHICAGO - PepsiCo Inc said company tests of its Tropicana orange juice showed low levels of a potentially dangerous fungicide, but levels were below federal safety concerns and did not pose a health risk.

Two Hurt In K.C. Area Mall Shooting: Police

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Two people were injured in a shooting at suburban Kansas City shopping mall late Saturday afternoon, prompting a lockdown of the shopping center, police said.

New San Francisco Sheriff Faces Domestic Violence Charges

SAN FRANCISCO - New San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi faces domestic abuse charges less than a week after taking office, officials said.

Paterno Was Unsure How To Handle Abuse Tip: Report

- Joe Paterno, the longtime Penn State University football coach fired in the fallout from child sex abuse allegations against former assistant Jerry Sandusky, says he was unsure how to handle the first report about Sandusky that reached him in 2002.

Billionaire Detroit Bridge Owner Released From Jail

- The billionaire owner of the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest crossing between the United States and Canada, was released after one night from the jail where a judge ordered him held for failing to complete a road construction project.

U.S. Judge Backs ATF Multiple Rifle Sales Reporting

WASHINGTON - A U.S. judge on Friday, in a victory for the Obama administration, upheld new federal rules requiring gun dealers in four states bordering Mexico to report the sales of multiple semi-automatic rifles, despite a challenge by the gun industry.

Quote On King Memorial That Drew Controversy To Be Changed

WASHINGTON - A truncated quote carved into a Washington memorial to slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. that drew criticism for not reflecting the spirit of his full remarks will be corrected, the Interior Department said on Friday.

Missing Montana Math Teacher Found Dead

- A Montana high school math teacher who vanished last weekend while on her morning jog has been found dead, and a man has been taken into custody in connection with her disappearance, authorities said on Friday.

Former Penn State Coach Joe Paterno Hospitalized

- Legendary Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno, fired in the fallout from the school's child sex abuse scandal, was hospitalized on Friday for observation due to complications from lung cancer treatments, his family said in a statement.

California Teacher Sex Abuse Arrest Sparks Debate

LIVERMORE, California - The arrest of a Northern California high school teacher for sexual abuse of a 14-year-old male student has raised questions about the boundaries of behavior and whether schools should police social media contact between teachers and students, authorities said on Friday.

Washington State Gay Marriage Proposal Gets Strong Support

SEATTLE - A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Friday introduced a bill to legalize same sex marriage in Washington state, which gay rights groups hope will be the next state to approve nuptials after two-term governor Christine Gregoire announced her support.

Penn State President Faces More Irate Alumni Over Abuse Scandal

NEW YORK - Penn State President Rodney Erickson faced heated questions for the third time this week on Friday from irate alumni claiming the university was not doing enough to restore its reputation amid a child sex abuse scandal that rocked collegiate sports.

Decision On Expanding Cyber Defense Pilot Due In March

WASHINGTON - The government will decide in about two months whether to expand a Pentagon pilot program that uses classified National Security Agency data to protect the computer networks of 17 defense contractors, the Pentagon's chief cyber official said.

Bumpy Ride For California's High-speed Rail Effort

SAN FRANCISCO - California Governor Jerry Brown wants to move forward with building a statewide high-speed rail system seen costing nearly $100 billion, but lawmakers are nervous about approving bonds needed to lock in federal funds to get the project under way.

Mississippi AG Seeks To Void Governor's Pardons

JACKSON, Mississippi - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said on Friday he would ask a court to overturn the majority of former Governor Haley Barbour's 222 pardons of convicts because they failed to meet constitutional requirements.

Upset Penn State Alumni Descend On President's Meeting

VALLEY FORGE, Pa - A group of Penn State alumni, rallying around former football star Franco Harris, descended on a meeting hosted by the school's president on Thursday to demand the resignation of the Board of Trustees.

Dean Of California Republicans In Congress To Retire

LOS ANGELES - Representative Jerry Lewis, dean of California's congressional delegation and the state's longest-serving Republican ever on Capitol Hill, said on Thursday he will retire at year's end after nearly five decades in public office.

Record-breaking Snows Strain Even Hardy Alaskans

ANCHORAGE - Alaska's record-breaking winter snowstorms have achieved a new milestone -- school closures in Valdez, a snow-tough Prince William Sound port that is on pace to beat its own season snowfall record.

Feds Crack Down On Colorado Medical Pot Dispensaries

DENVER - Federal prosecutors in Colorado launched a crackdown on Thursday against nearly two dozen medical marijuana dispensaries located within 1,000 feet of schools, giving the proprietors 45 days to cease operations or face civil and criminal penalties.

Alabama Judge Declares Natalee Holloway Dead

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - A judge on Thursday declared dead Natalee Holloway, an Alabama teenager who disappeared more than six years ago during a graduation trip to the Caribbean island of Aruba, prompting an exhaustive investigation and intense media attention.

Barbour's Mississippi Pardons Unusually Bold, Law Experts Say

NEW YORK - Outgoing Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's unconditional pardons for several convicted murderers still serving prison sentences - among more than 200 acts of clemency in all - was an unusually bold use of executive power, legal experts said on Thursday.

Harrisburg City Council Overrides Mayor's Budget Veto

HARRISBURG, Pa - The city council of the Pennsylvania state capital city of Harrisburg voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to override Mayor Linda Thompson's veto of a proposed $53.4 million budget.

FBI Probes Four Attacks On New Jersey Synagogues

NEW YORK - The FBI and local law enforcement sought clues on Thursday in four attacks on Jewish targets in New Jersey in recent weeks, including Molotov cocktails thrown into a rabbi's home.

New Mississippi Governor Supports Amendment On Limiting Clemency

- Mississippi's new Republican governor backs tightening the rules on pardons after his predecessor, one-time presidential hopeful Haley Barbour, sparked controversy by granting clemency to more than 200 convicts in his final days in office, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Court Martial Sought For Suspected WikiLeaks Leaker

WASHINGTON - An Army intelligence analyst suspected of leaking thousands of classified U.S. government files to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks should be court-martialed on charges related to the incident, an investigating officer recommended on Thursday.

Russian Tanker Struggles To Reach Ice-bound Alaska Port

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A fuel-laden Russian tanker and its U.S. Coast Guard escort struggled through treacherous, ice-choked seas on Wednesday to reach the frozen Alaska port of Nome with an emergency gasoline and diesel delivery, Coast Guard and shipping officials said.

Protesters Mark Guantanamo Prison's 10th Anniversary

WASHINGTON - Human rights protesters dressed in orange prison-style jumpsuits and covering their heads with black bags marched past the White House on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the U.S. military detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Poverty To Keep Rising Due To Slow Recovery: Study

- Nearly 10 million more Americans have been driven into poverty since the 2007-2009 recession began, and the number is expected to increase due to the slow pace of the recovery, according to a study released Wednesday by Indiana University.

Former Penn State Athletic Director Has Cancer

PITTSBURGH - Former Penn State University Athletic Director Tim Curley, who faces perjury charges stemming from the child sex abuse scandal that has rocked the school, is suffering from lung cancer, his family said on Wednesday.

Report Details Harassment Claim Against Congressman Hastings

- The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday detailed a woman's allegations of sexual harassment, including unwelcome physical contact, by Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings, and the panel's top members said further review of the case was warranted.

IRS Watchdog Accuses Agency Of "bait-and-switch"

- The Internal Revenue Service has persuaded U.S. taxpayers to disclose hidden offshore bank accounts but then sometimes failed to cap the penalties, as promised, an agency watchdog said on Wednesday, accusing the IRS of "bait and switch."

Mississippi Judge Bars Release Of Inmates Pardoned By Barbour

STARKVILLE, Miss - A Mississippi judge barred the state on Wednesday from releasing any prisoners recently pardoned by former Governor Haley Barbour, a conservative Republican who outraged some by granting clemency to more than 200 convicts during his final days in office.

Amish Sect Members Plead Not Guilty In Beard-cutting Case

CLEVELAND - Twelve members of an Amish splinter group in Ohio pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges stemming from a spate of beard- and hair-cutting assaults last fall on other Amish.

Americans See Rich And Poor In Conflict, Study Finds

- Americans believe that there is more conflict between rich and poor than between immigrants and the native-born or between blacks and whites, according to a Pew Research Center opinion survey released on Wednesday.

Anthony Says She Became Pregnant After Passing Out At Party

ORLANDO, Fla - Casey Anthony, the Florida mother acquitted last year in the death of her toddler daughter, told a psychologist she may have become pregnant with Caylee after she blacked out at a party in 2004, a deposition released on Wednesday showed.

Alaskan Blizzard Spawns Avalanches, Closes Highway, Tunnel

ANCHORAGE, Jan 10 - Alaska state officials closed the sole highway leading south out of Anchorage on Tuesday because of high winds, avalanche dangers and blowing snow, temporarily isolating two small communities.

South Carolina To Sue Obama Administration Over Voter ID Law

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - South Carolina will sue the administration of President Barack Obama over its rejection of the state's new requirement that voters provide a photo ID, Attorney General Alan Wilson said on Tuesday.

Woman, 73, Forced To Enter Bank With An Ankle Bomb

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan 10 - Authorities searched on Tuesday for a man who made a 73-year-old grandmother enter a bank wearing an ankle bomb in an attempt rob it.

FBI Probes Suspected Abduction Of Montana Teacher

SALMON, Idaho - The FBI and police in Montana were investigating the suspected abduction of a high school math teacher reported missing over the weekend and believed to have been taken out of state, authorities said on Tuesday.

California Bill Would Block Bonds For High-speed Rail

SAN FRANCISCO - A group of Republican lawmakers in California touted a bill on Tuesday that would prevent the sale of state bonds to help finance a planned statewide high-speed rail system.

Gear, Water Likely Cause Of Listeria Outbreak: Report

WASHINGTON - The listeria outbreak in cantaloupes that killed 30 people last year was likely caused by a Colorado farm's new processing equipment and lack of chlorine in its washing water, a congressional report said on Tuesday.

Army Lifts Lockdown At Washington State Base Over Missing Gear

SEATTLE - Army officials on Tuesday lifted lockdown restrictions on 100 soldiers at Washington state's Joint Base Lewis-McChord while continuing a probe of $600,000 in missing optics equipment.

States Oppose Obama Healthcare Medicaid Law

WASHINGTON - Twenty-six states challenging President Barack Obama's sweeping healthcare overhaul filed a U.S. Supreme Court brief on Tuesday arguing the law unconstitutionally expands the Medicaid program for the poor and disabled.

Michigan Treasurer Says Detroit To Run Out Of Money By May

Lansing, Michigan - The struggling U.S. city of Detroit is on track to run out of money in May instead of April after spending changes made by city officials, Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon said on Tuesday.

Mississippi's Barbour Surprises With Raft Of Pardons

STARKVILLE, Miss - On his last day as Mississippi governor, conservative Republican Haley Barbour surprised friend and foe by granting more than 200 pardons, clemency or early release for people convicted of crimes including murder, rape and armed robbery.

USDA To Close 249 Offices In Cost-saving Move

HONOLULU - The U.S. Agriculture Department plans to close 249 offices this year -- half of them the local offices that deal with farmers -- in a cost-cutting program, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Monday.

Calif Police Probe Transient's Death Amid Killing Spree

LOS ANGELES - Police in Orange County said on Monday they do not believe that a transient found dead on Monday was the fourth victim of a suspected serial killer operating in the area.

Death Penalty To Be Sought In Utah Police Shootings

SALT LAKE CITY - Prosecutors said on Monday they will seek the death penalty against a Utah Army veteran suspected of killing one police officer and wounding five others in a shootout during a drug raid at his home.

Soldiers Remain On Lockdown Over Missing Equipment

SEATTLE - Some 100 soldiers and unit leaders remained on a restricted lockdown for a sixth day at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state on Monday while Army investigators probed the theft of sensitive optics equipment, a base spokesman said.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Mayor Vetoes Budget

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania - The mayor of Pennsylvania's debt-laden capital of Harrisburg on Monday vetoed the budget passed by the city council in December, calling its provisions "politically motivated."

Gulf Cartel Boss Pleads Guilty In Texas Federal Court

MCALLEN, Texas - A reputed drug cartel boss from Mexico pleaded guilty to immigration and weapons charges in U.S. federal court on Monday, the day before he was due to go on trial.

On Way Out, Mississippi Governor Pardons Murderers

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour pardoned four convicted murderers who worked at the Governor's Mansion, releasing them from prison in the final days of his term in office, state officials said on Monday.

Recession-hit U.S. Health Spending Barely Rose In 2010

WASHINGTON - U.S. healthcare spending barely rose in 2010 from record-low recession levels, as high unemployment and the loss of private health insurance forced many Americans to delay or forego medical treatment, government officials said on Monday.

Occupy 2012: Firmly Disorganized, Driven By Dreams

Oakland, Calif./New York - It's been a long, cold winter already for Occupy Wall Street, the protest movement that burst onto the scene in September to focus national attention on income inequality and the perceived greed of the rich and powerful.

Sioux County, Iowa: Ground Zero For Farm Boom

SIOUX COUNTY, IOWA - If there is an epicenter of the nation's farmland boom, it can be found here amid the rolling hills of northwest Iowa.

Bus Crash In Montana Kills Two, Injures 33: Police

MISSOULA, Mont - Two people were killed and 33 others injured when a bus veered off an icy interstate highway in western Montana and rolled onto its side on Sunday, and police and hospital officials said.

Six Arrested In Anti-police March In Oakland, California

SAN FRANCISCO - Six people were arrested, one for carrying a quarter-stick of dynamite, during a late-night protest march through downtown Oakland, California, marked by various acts of vandalism, police said on Sunday.

Police Release Victim Sketch In Long Island Serial Killer Case

NEW YORK - Police released a sketch of a third unidentified victim in the hunt for a possible Long Island serial killer preying on prostitutes advertising on Craigslist.

Native American Roots Trump In Adoption Battle Over Toddler

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - The parents of a 2-year-old Cherokee girl adopted at birth are fighting to get her back after a court ruling based on Native American heritage allowed the biological father she has never known to take her away on New Year's Eve.

Friends Recall Childhood Cut Short In Tucson Shooting

TUCSON, Ariz - The two best friends of the youngest person killed in a hail of bullets outside a Tucson supermarket last year recounted on Sunday how the three girls shared a secret pact to attend the same college when they were grown.

Occupy 2012: Firmly Disorganized, Driven By Dreams

Oakland, Calif./New York - It's been a long, cold winter already for Occupy Wall Street, the protest movement that burst onto the scene in September to focus national attention on income inequality and the perceived greed of the rich and powerful.

U.S. Safety Official "comfortable" With Volt Fix

DETROIT - The agency that monitors U.S. vehicle safety is "comfortable" that a proposed fix to the Chevrolet Volt eliminates the risk of fire days after the electric car is involved in a crash, a senior official said on Sunday.

U.S. Soldiers Confined To Base Over Missing Equipment

SEATTLE - About 100 U.S. soldiers have been confined to their barracks at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington, as Army officials investigate the apparent theft of sensitive military equipment, base spokesmen said on Sunday.

Detroit Seeks salvation During Big 3's Victory Dance

Detroit - Bill Perkins, a Detroit-area car dealer, has ample reason to raise a glass in the early days of January.

Giffords Leads Tucson Shooting Anniversary Remembrance

TUCSON, Ariz - Bells tolled, girls in white dresses danced and Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords led a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance on Sunday, one year after a shooting spree that claimed six lives and left her gravely wounded.

Immigration Process To Be Eased For Some Families

WASHINGTON - The government said on Friday it plans to reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from spouses and children who have been in the country illegally and who are forced to leave for as long as 10 years while their visa requests are processed.

Oddly Mild Winter Leaves Much Of U.S. On Thin Ice

CONWAY, Mass - Unusually mild winter weather is spoiling the fun for hockey players, skaters and ice fisherman across the Northeast and Midwest as officials warn of uncommonly thin ice.

Navy SEAL Who Accidentally Shot Himself Dies

- A Navy SEAL who shot himself while showing his firearm collection to a woman he met at a bar died on Saturday in San Diego, officials said.

Adventurer Scraps Midwinter Bid To Climb Mount McKinley

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Adventurer Lonnie Dupre has abandoned a renewed bid to become the first person to climb Mount McKinley, North America's highest peak, alone in midwinter, his website said on Saturday.

Arkansas Civil War Buffs Remember Confederate Boy Hero

LITTLE ROCK, Ark - David O. Dodd is known as Arkansas' boy martyr of the Confederacy.

Penn State Introduces O'Brien As Football Head Coach

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania - Penn State University introduced new football head coach Bill O'Brien on Saturday as the successor to Hall of Famer Joe Paterno, who was fired amid a child sex abuse scandal.

Mount Rainier Reopens After Ranger Shooting

- Mount Rainier National Park reopened on Saturday after being closed because of the killing of a ranger by an Iraq war veteran, the park said.

Taxpayers Owe $385 Billion In 2006 Taxes: IRS

WASHINGTON - U.S. taxpayers owe an estimated $385 billion in unpaid taxes for 2006, up about a third from the "tax gap" five years before, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said.

2011 Was The Driest Year On Record In Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas - It's official: 2011 was the driest year on record in Texas, according to the National Weather Service. It was also the second-hottest ever.

Giffords Visits Tucson Shooting Site On Anniversary Eve

TUCSON, Arizona - Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords made a surprise return to the Tucson grocery store where she was wounded in a deadly mass shooting on January 8 last year, as the city braced on Saturday for the event's somber anniversary.

Texas Teen Mistakenly Deported To Colombia Comes Home

SAN ANTONIO - A 15-year-old Texas girl mistakenly deported to Colombia was reunited with her family on Friday, after she was sent to South America in a bizarre mix-up.

Girl Scouts Sell New Cookie Line To Mark Centenary

- Girl Scouts ringing in the New Year with their annual cookie campaign will be tempting customers with a tasty new treat honoring the organization's 100th anniversary.

Green Beret Released On Bond In Airport Bomb Case

SAN ANTONIO - An Army demolitions expert who was arrested New Year's Eve for trying to carry explosives onto a commercial airplane in Texas was ordered released Friday on a $50,000 unsecured bond.

Blackwater Settles Iraq Killings Suit

- A wrongful death lawsuit linked to a defining moment of the Iraq war has ended with the company formerly known as Blackwater agreeing to settle with the families of four security contractors killed in a gruesome 2004 ambush.

Opponents Fall Short Of Challenging California Dream Act

SAN FRANCISCO - Organizers have failed to gather enough signatures for a California voter initiative aimed at barring illegal immigrants from receiving public aid for college, a leader of the campaign said on Friday.

Penn State Names Patriots' O'Brien As Football Coach

- Penn State announced on Friday the hiring of New England Patriots assistant coach Bill O'Brien as its new football coach, reaching outside the ranks of its alumni to try to restore the university's battered reputation after a former assistant coach was charged with serial sex abuse of boys.

Three CSX Freight Trains Crash And Derail In Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - Three CSX freight trains collided and derailed on Friday in a rural area of northwestern Indiana, injuring two train crew and causing evacuations of local residents on concern about hazardous materials, the railroad and local officials said.

Legal Road Ahead Uncertain For Accused Tucson Shooter

PHOENIX - A year after a deadly shooting spree that left Representative Gabrielle Giffords battling for her life, the accused gunman remains shut up in a prison hospital amid wrangling over his fitness to stand trial.

Immigration Process To Be Eased For Some Families

WASHINGTON - The government said on Friday it plans to reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from spouses and children who have been in the country illegally and who are forced to leave for as long as 10 years while their visa requests are processed.

Oddly Mild Winter Leaves Much Of U.S. On Thin Ice

CONWAY, Mass - Unusually mild winter weather is spoiling the fun for hockey players, skaters and ice fisherman across the Northeast and Midwest as officials warn of uncommonly thin ice.

Wisconsin Coroner Stole Body Part To Train Dog, Police Say

MILWAUKEE - The medical examiner for Oneida County in northern Wisconsin was released on a $5,000 signature bond on Thursday after she was arrested for allegedly stealing a human body part obtained from an autopsy to train her dog.

U.S. Attorney Seeks 10 Years Prison For "master Con-woman"

PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania woman who faked her own kidnapping while actually at Disney World and stole more than $1 million is a "master con-woman" who should go to prison for 10 years, prosecutors said on Thursday.

Casey Anthony Makes No Mention Of Daughter In Video

ORLANDO, Florida - A YouTube video going viral on Thursday shows an optimistic Casey Anthony speaking out about her life for the first time since she was found not guilty last summer of killing her daughter Caylee in Florida.

Montana Dog Survives Four-day Burial By Killer Avalanche

SALMON, Idaho - A dog buried for four days by an avalanche that killed its Montana owner was hungry but otherwise unscathed when it was found outside a motel room the man had rented, authorities said.

Air Force Charges Three Cadets With Sex Crimes

DENVER - The Air Force charged three of its cadets with sexual misconduct on Thursday, including one accused of rape, just over a week after the government revealed a rise in reports of sexual assault at military academies.

Serial Killer Behind Three California Homeless Deaths: Police

LOS ANGELES - A serial killer may be responsible for the slayings of three homeless men in Southern California who were each found stabbed multiple times, police said on Thursday.

Police Suspect Former Soldier In Utah Police Shooting

OGDEN, Utah - Six police officers were shot, one fatally, when a gunman identified as a former U.S. soldier opened fire on them as they served a drug-related search warrant in Utah, authorities said on Thursday.

Victims Still Healing A Year After Tucson Shooting

TUCSON, Arizona - Congressional staffer Ron Barber was standing in a receiving line next to U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords at her first outreach event of the year when the gunman opened fire at point-blank range.

Oklahoma Executes Murderer In First 2012 Execution

OKLAHOMA CITY - A convicted murderer who tried but failed to kill himself three weeks ago in prison was put to death by lethal injection on Thursday in Oklahoma in the country's first execution of 2012.

New Pentagon Strategy Stresses Asia, Cyber, Drones

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama unveiled a defense strategy on Thursday that would expand the U.S. military presence in Asia but shrink the overall size of the force as the Pentagon seeks to slash spending by nearly half a trillion dollars after a decade of war.

Factbox: FBI's Background Checks On Gun Buyers Jumped In 2011

- The FBI performed nearly 16.5 million pre-purchase background checks on weapons buyers in 2011 as Americans went on an apparent gun-buying spree.

Navy Veteran Accused Of Giving Second Alaska Teen Heroin

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An Navy veteran accused of giving a fatal dose of heroin to a 14-year-old girl had previously injected another teenaged girl with the drug, local police said on Wednesday.

Arizona Sheriff Says Will Cooperate With Federal Officials

PHOENIX - A controversial Arizona sheriff said on Wednesday he would cooperate with federal officials who have said his office engages in widespread discrimination against Latinos.

ABA Head Has Little Sympathy For Jobless Lawyers

WASHINGTON - Young lawyers with huge educational debts and no jobs in a depressed legal market should have known what they were getting into, the president of the American Bar Association said on Wednesday.

Navy Pilot Identified As Shooter In Murder: Suicide

SAN DIEGO - A Navy airman shot a fellow pilot, the man's sister and another man before turning the gun on himself in a New Year's Day shooting on the California resort island of Coronado, police said on Wednesday.

Colorado Woman Accused Of Damaging $30 Million Painting

DENVER - A 36-year-old woman was accused of causing $10,000 worth of damage to a painting by the late abstract expressionist artist Clyfford Still, a work valued at more than $30 million, authorities said on Wednesday.

Mexico Drug Lord Pleads Guilty To U.S. Trafficking

SAN DIEGO, Calif - Once powerful Mexican drug lord Benjamin Arellano Felix pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court on Wednesday to drug trafficking, racketeering and money laundering charges.

FBI Data Shows Spike In U.S. Firearm Purchases In 2011

CHICAGO - The FBI performed a record number of instant background checks on would-be firearm buyers in 2011 as Americans went on an apparent gun-buying spree, according to new government data.

Washington Governor Supports Gay Marriage Law

SEATTLE - Washington Governor Chris Gregoire announced her support for gay marriage legislation on Wednesday, potentially putting the state on track to become the nation's seventh to fully recognize same-sex unions.

"Rage Against Americans" Cited In L.A. Arson Case

LOS ANGELES - A German citizen was charged on Wednesday with setting dozens of fires across Los Angeles over the New Year's weekend in a spree an arson investigator said was motivated by a "rage against Americans."

Ohio Earthquake Was Not A Natural Event, Expert Says

CLEVELAND - A 4.0 magnitude earthquake in Ohio on New Year's Eve did not occur naturally and may have been caused by high-pressure liquid injection related to oil and gas exploration and production, an expert hired by the state of Ohio said on Tuesday.

Convicted Jackson Doctor Asked To Return Medical License

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson's former doctor, convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the singer's 2009 death, has been asked by the California Medical Board to return his license, an official said on Tuesday.

Funding Concerns For California High-speed Rail

SAN FRANCISCO - California's effort to build a massive high-speed rail network suffered another setback on Tuesday when a peer review group charged with evaluating the project recommended lawmakers put it on hold.

Alaska Man Charged With Manslaughter Of Girl's Heroin Overdose

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An Anchorage man accused of injecting a 14-year-old girl with heroin was indicted for manslaughter on Tuesday, five days after she died from an overdose, an Anchorage police spokesman said.

Washington Governor To Support Gay Marriage Law: Source

SEATTLE - Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire will announce her support on Wednesday for legislation that would legalize gay marriage in the state, a source who has been informed of her decision told Reuters on Tuesday.

Federal Judges Block West Virginia Redistricting

CHARLESTON, W.V. - A panel of three federal judges ruled on Tuesday that West Virginia's congressional redistricting plan was unconstitutional and ordered the state's legislature to submit a new plan.

Mother Of L.A. Arson Suspect Held Over German Charges

LOS ANGELES - The mother of a man accused in a wave of arson fires across Los Angeles was facing possible extradition to Germany on fraud charges, a case federal prosecutors said on Tuesday appeared to have angered her son.

Army Expert Forgot About C-4 In Bag: Court Papers

WASHINGTON - A U.S. Army special forces engineer arrested for trying to take explosives aboard a U.S. commercial airliner in Texas told authorities he had forgotten they were in his bag and did not notice them when he packed, according to court papers filed on Tuesday.

Mount Rainier Gunman Died Of Drowning, Hypothermia-officials

SEATTLE - An Iraq war veteran who was found dead at Mount Rainier National Park a day after he killed a park ranger drowned in a creek after suffering from hypothermia, a medical examiner's spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

NY Police Say Man Confesses In Firebomb On Mosque

NEW YORK - A New York City man faces arson and bias charges after confessing on Tuesday to a series of Molotov cocktail attacks that hit a mosque and a Hindu place of worship and unsettled civic leaders concerned the actions might portend violent religious bigotry.

Penn State Loses Bowl Game, Capping Year Of Abuse Scandal

- Penn State's team lost the TicketCity Bowl to the University of Houston on Monday, capping a terrible year for the celebrated college football program after a former coach was charged with serial sex abuse of boys.

Two Navy Pilots Among Those Killed In Murder-suicide

CORONADO, Calif - Two Navy pilots were among four people killed in an apparent New Years Day murder-suicide on the wealthy island of Coronado off the coast of San Diego, officials said on Monday.

Blackbird Killings In Arkansas Believed Intentional

- Someone intentionally set off fireworks under a blackbird roost in Beebe, Arkansas on New Year's Eve, killing about 200 birds on the first anniversary of the similar death of 5,000 of the birds, authorities said on Monday.

Man Arrested With Explosives At Airport Was Army Expert

SAN ANTONIO - A man arrested on New Years Eve at a Texas airport with explosives is an Army-trained demolitions expert and member of the elite Green Berets who served in Afghanistan and is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, military officials said on Monday.

Prisoner Escapes From San Diego Area Jail In Fire Truck

SAN DIEGO - A convicted car thief who was assigned to a San Diego area state prison's fire fighting detail escaped in one of the prison's yellow fire trucks, prison officials said on Monday.

Murder Charges Against Doctors Test Maryland Abortion Law

BALTIMORE - A murder case against two doctors who allegedly completed late-term abortions in Maryland after starting them in New Jersey could be the first to test a state law tied to the "viability" of an unborn fetus.

Winter's First Great Lakes Effect Snowstorm Hits

- Frigid air blasting over the Great Lakes blew in the season's first major lake effect snowstorm on Monday, blocking visibility and causing massive pileups on icy roads from Michigan to Kentucky.

Anti-Wall Street Protesters Make A Show At Rose Parade

PASADENA, Calif - Hundreds of anti-Wall Street protesters sought to upstage the 123rd Tournament of Roses parade on Monday but were largely confined to the sidelines.

German Man Arrested In Rash Of Los Angeles Fires

LOS ANGELES - Police arrested a Hollywood man believed to be a German citizen on Monday in connection with a wave of 53 arson fires across Los Angeles that terrorized neighborhoods over the holiday weekend.

Mount Rainier Body Confirmed As Suspected Gunman

SEATTLE - A body found face down in the snow at Mount Rainier National Park is that of an Iraq war veteran suspected of killing a park ranger, then fleeing into the wilderness, authorities said on Monday.

Mount Rainier National Park Ranger Killed, Gunman Loose

SEATTLE - A heavily armed gunman shot and killed a ranger in Mount Rainier National Park on Sunday after fleeing a traffic stop, and authorities closed the park in Washington state as a manhunt got underway, officials said.

Wisconsin Man, 82, Calls 60th Polar Bear Plunge His Last

MILWAUKEE - An 82-year-old Wisconsin man made his 60th straight New Year's Day polar bear plunge into the icy waters of Lake Michigan on Sunday, but said it would be his last.

Arson Damages Historic Illinois Clock Factory, Teens Held

CHICAGO - An arson fire set on New Year's Eve badly damaged an historic former clock factory in Illinois, and two teenagers were arrested and accused of setting the more than 100-year-old building alight, officials said on Sunday.

Throngs Of Times Square Revelers Ring In 2012

NEW YORK - Throngs of revelers in and around New York's Times Square gave a boisterous welcome to 2012 on Sunday amid tight security, sending off a year marked by the grim 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the city.

Stolen Monkey Returned To San Francisco Zoo

- A monkey stolen from the San Francisco Zoo has been returned in good health after a man found it in a nearby park and coaxed it into a backpack, police said.

Oakland Raiders Fan Falls From Bleachers After Game

OAKLAND, Calif - A football fan fell from bleachers at an Oakland Raiders game on Sunday as he tried to attract the attention of players leaving the field after a game against the San Diego Chargers, the team said.

Ohio Suspends Well Operations After Series Of Small Quakes

CLEVELAND - Ohio has suspended operations at five deep-well hazardous fluid disposal sites after a series of 11 earthquakes in Youngstown last year including one on Saturday with a magnitude of 4.0, officials said on Sunday.

In New Year, Nation Sees Winter Weather At Last

CHICAGO - The new year is bringing the return of a phenomenon that has been mostly absent across the nation through December -- winter.

New York Police Arrest Dozens Of Anti-Wall Street Protesters

- New York police arrested 68 people overnight after anti-Wall Street protesters streamed back into Manhattan's Zuccotti Park and toppled security barricades on New Year's Eve, police said on Sunday.

Police Want To Question Man In Los Angeles Arson Attacks

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles police released video on Sunday of a man they would like to question as they investigate an unusual spate of arson attacks that torched dozens of cars in the days leading up to the new year.