Military Nonbelievers' Event Shows There Are Atheists In Foxholes

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina - An atheist-themed festival drew hundreds of people to an Army post in North Carolina on Saturday for what was believed to be the first-ever event held on a U.S. military base for service members who do not have religious beliefs.

Cape Worn By Elizabeth Taylor In "Cleopatra" Sold

DALLAS - A gold cape worn by Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film "Cleopatra" sold at auction for $59,375 in Dallas on Friday.

Former NFL Quarterback Ryan Leaf Arrested In Montana

SALMON, Idaho - Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, once a Heisman Trophy finalist and San Diego Chargers first round draft choice, was arrested in his hometown of Great Falls, Montana, on theft and drug charges, authorities said on Saturday.

Ultra-marathon Runner Micah True Found Dead In New Mexico

- Ultra-marathon runner Micah True, missing for four days in the rugged wilderness of New Mexico, was found dead on Saturday, police said.

Midwest Towns Cannot Give Land Away To Modern Homesteaders

MARQUETTE, Kansas - In Marquette, Kansas an ice cream cone is $1.09, haircuts start at $10 and land is free.

Colorado Wildfire Claims Third Fatality, Blaze Nearly Contained

DENVER - Remains believed to be those of a missing woman were found on Saturday at her home within a nearly-contained wildfire zone west of Denver, authorities said, the third death resulting from the blaze that was ignited by a controlled burn gone awry.

Gunmen Kill Two Outside Miami Funeral Of Shooting Victim

MIAMI - Gunmen opened fire on mourners outside a Miami funeral home, killing two people and injuring 12, including a young girl, police said on Saturday.

Dead Wolf Photos Stir Tensions In West

SALMON, Idaho - Photos of dead and maimed wolves have pervaded the Internet in recent weeks, raising tensions in the Northern Rocky Mountains over renewed hunting and trapping of the once federally protected animals.

Three Winning Tickets Sold In Record $656 Million U.S. Lottery

ATLANTA - The largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history - a whopping $656 million - will be shared by the buyers of three winning Mega Millions tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland - but their identities remained a mystery, lottery officials said on Saturday.

Trayvon Lawyers Want U.S. To Review Prosecutor's Role

SANFORD, Florida - Attorneys for the family of slain black teenager Trayvon Martin are asking the U.S. Justice Department to review reports that prosecutors undermined a police investigation of shooter George Zimmerman by overruling a detective who wanted to charge him.

New York Police Accused Of "uncivilized" Arrest Of Diplomat

UNITED NATIONS - A senior Caribbean diplomat has accused the New York City Police Department of "flagrant violation" of the rules of diplomatic immunity and privileges by aggressively arresting the ambassador of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Colorado Wildfire 70 Percent Contained, No Sign Of Missing Woman

DENVER - A wildfire burning in rugged terrain west of Denver that killed two people and left a woman missing, ignited by windblown embers from a prescribed burn, was 70 percent contained on Friday, fire officials said.

Site Mapped By California Killer Yields Two Missing Teens' Remains

SAN FRANCISCO - The remains of two teenage girls missing since the 1980s have been identified among bones found in an abandoned well in California that a convicted serial killer said he and a partner-in-crime used as a burial site, authorities said on Friday.

Security Breach Hits U.S. Card Processors, Banks

- The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a major cyber intrusion at an Atlanta-based payment processor that could expose millions of MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover cardholders to fraudulent charges.

Former Crack Cocaine Dealer Wins Truman Scholarship

NEW YORK - When Walter Fortson was arrested in 2007 for dealing crack cocaine, he believed a police officer who told him "your life is over."

U.S. Seeks Life In Prison For Russian Arms Dealer Bout

NEW YORK - Prosecutors asked a federal judge in New York on Friday to send convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was the subject of the book "Merchant of Death," to prison for life, a court filing showed.

Documents Show Debate Over Handling Of 9/11 Remains

WASHINGTON - Cremated remains that may have included those of victims of the September 11 attacks were incinerated and sent to a landfill despite an internal debate in which some officials at the main U.S. military mortuary recommended the ashes be dispersed at sea.

Prosecutors Say Two Former Penn State Officials Lied Multiple Times

HARRISBURG, Penn. - State prosecutors listed a number of instances on Friday in which they said two former Penn State University officials lied to a grand jury about their involvement in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.

Harrisburg Receiver Unkovic Resigns: Mayor's Office

Harrisburg, Pa - The receiver appointed to oversee the finances of cash-strapped Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, unexpectedly resigned after just four months on the job, throwing into disarray plans to help the city deal with its debt problems.

Record $640 Million Lottery Has At Least One Winner

ATLANTA - The largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history totaling $640 million has at least one winner and officials were waiting early on Saturday to see if there are other winning tickets.

Anti-war Protesters Again Denied Permit For NATO Summit March

CHICAGO - A judge on Thursday rejected a request from anti-war protesters to demonstrate during the NATO summit of world leaders in May, but organizers said they would protest anyway and hope to draw 10,000 people or more opposed to war in Afghanistan.

Arkansas Court Overturns Ban On Teacher-student Sex

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - The Arkansas Supreme Court struck down a state law on Thursday that banned teachers from having sex with students under age 21, overturning a sexual assault conviction against a former teacher who had a consensual relationship with an 18-year-old student.

Chicago, Short Of Money, Turns To Private Sector

CHICAGO - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, facing budget cuts from the debt-ridden state of Illinois and the federal government, turned to the private sector on Thursday to finance $7.2 billion in rebuilding of the city's aging subways, sewers and schools.

Wisconsin Set To Launch First Governor Recall In A Decade

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin is set on Friday to launch a special election that could oust Republican Governor Scott Walker from office because of his support for a law stripping labor unions of power, the first recall election of a U.S. governor since California nearly a decade ago.

"Pink Slime" Producer Allows Tour Of Plant To Bolster Image

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb - A maker of the hamburger filler branded by critics as "pink slime" on Thursday allowed three state governors supportive of the beef industry and a handful of journalists to see it being made for the first time since a controversy erupted over use of the meat scraps.

Hutaree Militia Walk From Jail After Charges Dismissed

DETROIT - Two members of the Midwest militia group Hutaree pleaded guilty to charges of possessing machine guns and temporarily walked out of jail on Thursday, two days after a judge rebuked prosecutors and dismissed more serious charges that the Hutaree plotted to attack the U.S. government.

NY City Unemployment Rate Up Even As Jobs Added

- A New York City fiscal watchdog on Thursday brightened its outlook for the city's economy in coming years, even as data showed the local job market worsened in February.

Firefighters Gaining Upper Hand On Colorado Wildfire

DENVER - Firefighters battling a deadly wildfire in the foothills west of Denver said on Thursday they were gaining ground on the stubborn blaze, as the search continued for a woman who went missing inside the fire zone.

JetBlue Co-pilot Calmly And Quickly Got Jet Down

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO - With his captain restrained and locked out of the cockpit, the co-pilot of JetBlue Flight 191 acted calmly and quickly to get the Airbus jet and 135 other passengers and crew down safely.

Public Information Restricted In Case Of Slain Teen

SANFORD, Florida - A special prosecutor investigating the death of an unarmed black teenager in Florida invoked an exemption on Thursday that allows authorities to deny the release of otherwise public information to the media.

Texas Executes Man Who Beat Baby Boy To Death In 2001

AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas man was executed on Wednesday by lethal injection for beating a 10-month-old boy to death in Dallas in 2001, state officials said.

Strauss-Kahn's U.S. Legal Team Argue For Civil Suit Dismissal

NEW YORK - Attorneys for embattled former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Wednesday asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a civil suit brought by the hotel maid who accused him of sexual assault on the grounds that he enjoys diplomatic immunity.

U.S. Charges JetBlue Pilot For Midair Meltdown

AUSTIN, Texas - U.S. authorities filed criminal charges on Wednesday against a JetBlue Airways pilot who witnesses said yelled incoherently about religion and the 2001 hijack attacks and pounded on a locked cockpit door before passengers subdued him in a midair uproar.

Colorado Governor Suspends Controlled Burns After Deadly Wildfire

DENVER - Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper suspended prescribed burns used to mitigate fire danger on Wednesday after a controlled blaze apparently ignited a wildfire west of Denver that killed an elderly couple and destroyed some two dozen homes.

Former Official Gets Prison Over Afghanistan Bribe

ATLANTA - A federal judge in Atlanta sentenced a former Defense Department official on Wednesday to a year and eight months in prison for taking nearly $100,000 in bribes from a company seeking a contract in Afghanistan.

Morgan Stanley Banker Contests Cab Driver's Assault Story

NEW YORK - A senior Morgan Stanley investment banker accused of stabbing a taxi driver in a dispute over a fare asked a judge to toss out the criminal case against him because the driver gave differing accounts of the incident to the police.

Banjo Innovator, Music Pioneer Earl Scruggs Dies At 88

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Banjo innovator and bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died on Wednesday at a Nashville hospital at age 88.

Pioneering Feminist Poet Adrienne Rich Dead At 82

LOS ANGELES - Poet and essayist Adrienne Rich, a feminist literary figure celebrated as much for deeply personal reflections on her own life as for sometimes-biting social commentary, has died at age 82, family members said on Wednesday.

Shooter Of Florida Teen Appears Uninjured In Video

SANFORD, Florida - The neighborhood watch volunteer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Florida appeared uninjured when he was brought into the police station on the night of the shooting, according to a video released by ABC News on Wednesday.

Analysis: If Trayvon Martin Family Pursues Civil Case

NEW YORK - As uncertainty swirls around any criminal prosecution of George Zimmerman, the shooter of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in an Orlando suburb, one option that remains open to Martin's family is a civil case.

Miami Police Detective Says Racism "alive And Well"

MIAMI - A black veteran Miami police officer said on Tuesday that "racism is alive and well" in the United States and is evident in the case of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed African American teenager gunned down by a neighborhood watch volunteer in central Florida last month.

JetBlue Flight Diverted, Passengers Say Captain Restrained

- A JetBlue flight bound for Las Vegas was diverted to Texas on Tuesday following what federal authorities described as erratic behavior by the captain, who passengers said had to be restrained after he pounded on the locked cockpit door.

California Campaign Treasurer Charged In $7 Million Fraud

LOS ANGELES - The Department of Justice on Tuesday charged a top California Democratic campaign treasurer with five counts of mail fraud that caused a loss of over $7 million dollars to her clients, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, court documents show.

Catholic Bishop Had No "duty" To Report Child Abuse: Lawyer

KANSAS CITY - A Catholic Bishop in Kansas City did not have a legal obligation to report suspected child sexual abuse by a local priest even if he knew about it, a lawyer for the bishop said on Tuesday.

"Person Of Interest" In Alaska Barista Case Pleads Innocent To Fraud

ANCHORAGE - A man police have called a "person of interest" in the abduction of an 18-year-old barista from an Alaska coffee stand pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to a felony count of fraud.

Two Cousins Plead Guilty Over Arizona's Largest Fire

PHOENIX - Two cousins accused of starting the largest wildfire ever recorded in Arizona by leaving a campfire unattended last year each pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges on Tuesday in a deal with federal prosecutors.

Felon Will Be Charged With Killing Five In San Francisco Home: Prosecutors

SAN FRANCISCO - A convicted felon who U.S. authorities sought unsuccessfully to deport to Vietnam in 2006 will be charged with the murders of five people found slain at a home in a quiet San Francisco neighborhood, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Missing Montana Children Found On Dad's Boat Off Florida

MIAMI - A Coast Guard team recovered three missing Montana children from their father's sailboat off the Florida coast on Tuesday and took the dad into custody on charges of interfering with parental custody.

Mourners Remember Slain Iraqi-American Woman In California

LAKESIDE, Calif - Scores of mourners gathered in a California mosque on Tuesday to pay respects to an Iraqi-American woman who died after being severely beaten in her home by a killer who left a threatening note that prompted police to investigate the murder as a possible hate crime.

Democratic Lawmakers Blast Police In Teen Killing

WASHINGTON - Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday blasted police handling of a racially charged case in which a neighborhood watch volunteer shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Florida, accusing local law enforcement officials of botching the investigation.

Boehner, Reid Talks May End U.S. Transport Bill Standoff

WASHINGTON - Republican and Democratic leaders in the U.S. Congress held talks on Monday over an extension of transport construction authority that would avert project shutdowns and give House Speaker John Boehner a shorter window to resolve Republican divisions over a signature jobs initiative.

TriWest Protests U.S. Contract Award To UnitedHealth

WASHINGTON - TriWest Healthcare Alliance on Monday filed a protest against the Pentagon's decision to award a contract worth close to $20.5 billion to UnitedHealth Group for military health insurance coverage in 21 western states.

Bill Ending Oil Company Tax Cuts Clears Senate Hurdle

WASHINGTON - Legislation repealing tax breaks for major oil companies passed its first hurdle in the Senate on Monday, but is unlikely to become law, as Republicans and Democrats seek to score political points over rising gasoline prices.

Supreme Court Moves To Heart Of Healthcare Case

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court confronts the core of President Barack Obama's healthcare law on Tuesday when it hears arguments on whether Congress had the power to require most people in the United States to buy medical insurance.

FBI Assisting In Murder Investigation Of Iraqi Woman

EL CAJON - The FBI is assisting in the murder investigation of an Iraqi-American mother who died after being severely beaten in her southern California home by a killer who left a threatening note that may suggest a hate crime, police said on Monday.

Federal Agents Kill Man In Phony Murder-for-hire Plot

MCALLEN, Texas - A U.S. federal agent shot dead one of four men facing arrest in South Texas for being part of a murder-for-hire squad enlisted by undercover agents posing as Mexican drug cartel members, according to court documents released on Monday.

Colorado Wildfire Forces Evacuation Of 900 Homes

DENVER - A wind-driven wildfire destroyed an unknown number of homes and forced the mandatory evacuation of 900 dwellings in the foothills and canyons west of Denver on Monday, authorities said.

Wisconsin Shooting Puts "castle" Law Under Scrutiny

MILWAUKEE - The decision by authorities not to charge a homeowner who shot dead an unarmed black man in a small Wisconsin town three weeks ago has drawn scrutiny to the state's new "castle doctrine" law and comparisons to the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida.

Killer Of Florida Teen Told Police He Was Attacked First

SANFORD, Florida - The man who shot and killed an unarmed Florida teenager in a case that has sparked widespread public outrage told police the victim had punched him, knocked him down and slammed his head into the pavement repeatedly before he fired the fatal gunshot.

Student Shot Dead At Mississippi State University

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - A student was shot to death at a Mississippi State University residence hall late on Saturday night, authorities said, adding that three suspects remained at large.

Suspect Arrested In Slaying Of Five In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - Homicide detectives have arrested a man in connection with the murder of five people found slain at a home in a quiet San Francisco neighborhood and detained the suspect's younger brother on drug charges, police said on Sunday.

Black Friend Defends Shooter Of Florida Teen

SANFORD, Florida - George Zimmerman is not a racist and cried for days after shooting dead a black Florida teenager, a black, longtime friend of Zimmerman said on Sunday in a sympathetic portrayal of a man maligned by critics as a trigger-happy bigot.

Lawyers For Strauss-Kahn, Accuser To Spar In Court

NEW YORK - Seven months after New York prosecutors dropped criminal charges against former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, his lawyers will fight a civil lawsuit brought against him in a Bronx courtroom this week.

Texas, Johnson & Johnson Heading Back To Court

AUSTIN, Texas - Representatives of Johnson & Johnson and the state of Texas will head back to court on Tuesday over a $158 million settlement agreement announced in January involving the drug Risperdal, a spokesman for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said on Sunday.

U.S. Gasoline Hits $3.93 A Gallon: Survey

NEW YORK - The price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States rose 11.49 cents over the past two weeks as profit margins for refiners and gasoline retailers increased, according to the nationwide Lundberg Survey.

Daily Headaches Common In Soldiers After Concussion

- One in five soldiers who return from Iraq or Afghanistan having suffered a concussion develop chronic headaches that occur at least half the days of the month, with many suffering even more, according to a U.S. survey.

Man Who Shot Florida Teen Fears For Safety, Supporters Say

SANFORD, Florida - The neighborhood watch volunteer who sparked a national uproar by shooting an unarmed teenager to death has wept with remorse over the killing and now fears for his own life, a friend of the gunman and a legal adviser said on Sunday.

Analysis: Cheney Waited Longer Than Average For Heart Transplant

CHICAGO - At 71, former Vice President Dick Cheney was older than average for a heart transplant and had to wait longer than the typical patient as well -- 20 months compared with a year or less.

Supreme Court Weighs Historic Obama Healthcare Law

WASHINGTON - Two years after President Barack Obama signed into law a healthcare overhaul, the Supreme Court on Monday takes up a historic test of whether it is valid under the country's Constitution.

Iraqi Woman Attacked In California Home Dies

EL CAJON, California - A mother from Iraq who was severely beaten in her southern California home and left with a threatening note nearby died on Saturday, and police are considering a hate crime as a possible motive in the murder investigation.

Mike Tyson Set To Tell His Story In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has, in his own words, behaved like a "Neanderthal" for much of his life.

"Cash Mobs" Gather To Splurge In Locally Owned Stores

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Flash mobs have been blamed as a factor in looting during urban riots. But now a group of online activists is harnessing social media like Twitter and Facebook to get consumers to spend at locally owned stores in cities around the world in so-called Cash Mobs.

NYPD Forces Out Four Officers In Sean Bell Shooting

NEW YORK - A New York police detective has been fired and three other members of the department were forced to retire for their roles in the shooting of an unarmed man who died in a hail of bullets after his bachelor party in 2006, a department spokesman confirmed on Saturday.

Tea Party Activists Defy Rain To Rip Obama Health Care Law

WASHINGTON - Several hundred rain-soaked Tea Party activists rallied on Saturday to call for the U.S. Supreme Court to repeal President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law after arguments next week.

Obama Gets Personal Over Killing Of Black Florida Teenager

WASHINGTON/SANFORD, Florida - President Barack Obama weighed into the controversial killing of a black teenager in Florida in very personal terms on Friday, comparing the boy to a son he doesn't have and calling for American "soul searching" over how the incident occurred.

Rallies Held Around Country For Trayvon Martin

CHICAGO - Rallies are being held in cities across the country this weekend to protest the failure of police to arrest a Florida neighborhood watch volunteer for shooting to death an unarmed black teenager.

Court Clears Way For Rescue Pact For Detroit

DETROIT - Michigan's Court of Appeals has cleared the way for a team appointed by the governor to come up with a consent deal to keep afloat Detroit, America's historic "Motor City," which could run out of money in months.

Student Shot Dead At Mississippi State University

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - A student was shot to death at a Mississippi State University residence hall late on Saturday night, authorities said, adding that three suspects remained at large.

Police Arrest 14 In Two New York Occupy Protests

NEW YORK - Fourteen protesters were arrested on Saturday in separate Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, one that involved an hours-long march through Manhattan streets and a second at the United Nations, authorities said.

Attorney Tells More Colorado Medical Pot Centers To Close

DENVER - Colorado's top federal prosecutor has ordered 25 medical marijuana shops located near schools to close in an escalating pot clampdown, as the state gears up for a battle at the ballot box over broader recreational use of the drug.

Opponents, Supporters To Face Off Outside High Court Healthcare Hearings

WASHINGTON - A battle for American hearts and minds will rage outside the Supreme Court next week as justices inside hear arguments on President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.

Five People Found Slain In San Francisco Home

SAN FRANCISCO - Five adults were found dead at a home in a quiet San Francisco neighborhood on Friday, at least two of them killed by gunshots, police said.

Anti-Kony Campaign In Turmoil After Filmmaker's Meltdown

LOS ANGELES - The public meltdown of the man behind the viral Kony 2012 video has thrown his campaign into turmoil even as the film succeeded in turning the world's attention to capturing an elusive and brutal Ugandan warlord.

Heat Make "hoodie" Protest Over Florida Teenager Death

Orlando, Florida - Miami Heat basketball players posed in "hoodies" in a picture published on Friday to protest against the Florida shooting death of an unarmed black teenager by a neighborhood watch volunteer who said he was acting in self-defense. Leading Heat player LeBron James posted a picture on his Twitter account showing the National Basketball Association team in their training tops - all with the hoods raised over their heads in the fashion reportedly worn by Trayvon Martin o

Lawsuit Over Martin Luther King Documents Thrown Out

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - A federal judge in Mississippi dismissed a lawsuit on Friday filed by the estate of Martin Luther King Jr. claiming ownership of documents in the possession of the son of the slain civil rights leader's former personal secretary.

Utah Demands Federal Government Return Public Lands To State

SALT LAKE CITY - The state of Utah, long resentful that some 60 percent of its territory belongs to the U.S. government, says the time has come to reclaim the millions of acres it gave up more than a century ago for admission to the union.

Court Rejects Suit Against School Over Mississippi Sexual Assault

- A federal appeals court threw out a civil rights lawsuit on Friday that accused a public school district of repeatedly allowing a stranger to take a 9-year-old Mississippi girl out of school, after which he sexually abused her.

Obama Gets Personal Over Killing Of Black Florida Teenager

WASHINGTON/SANFORD, Florida - President Barack Obama weighed into the controversial killing of a black teenager in Florida in very personal terms on Friday, comparing the boy to a son he doesn't have and calling for American "soul searching" over how the incident occurred.

U.S. Soldier Charged With 17 Murders In Afghan Killings

KABUL - A U.S. Army sergeant was formally charged with 17 counts of murder on Friday for killing eight adults and nine children in a pre-dawn shooting rampage in southern Afghanistan that further eroded U.S.-Afghan relations already frayed by a decade of war.

Penn State Coach Asks Judge To Throw Out His Child Abuse Case

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania - Jerry Sandusky's lawyer on Thursday asked a judge to dismiss all 52 child abuse charges against him because the prosecutor failed to turn over detailed information needed to defend the former Penn State assistant football coach.

Analysis: Why U.S. High Court May Uphold Healthcare Law

- Conventional political wisdom holds that the U.S. Supreme Court, scheduled to hear a challenge to President Barack Obama's healthcare law beginning on Monday, is likely to strike it down on partisan lines. The court's Republican appointees enjoy a 5-4 majority.

Marine Sergeant Faces Discipline For Facebook Critique Of Obama

SAN DIEGO - The Marine Corps has initiated disciplinary action against a Marine sergeant for comments he posted on his "Armed Forces Tea Party" Facebook page criticizing President Barack Obama, a spokesman said on Thursday.

Detroit Mayor Admitted To Hospital For "discomfort"

DETROIT - Detroit mayor Dave Bing was admitted to a hospital on Thursday afternoon due to "discomfort" after an early morning dental appointment, the mayor's office said on Thursday.

Florida Man Lives To Tell Of 'shoot First' Horror

MIAMI - On June 5, 2006, not long after Florida enacted the first "Stand Your Ground" law in the United States, unarmed Jason Rosenbloom was shot in the stomach and chest by his next-door neighbor after a shouting match over trash.

Florida Man To Plead Guilty In Celebrity Hacking Case

LOS ANGELES - A Florida man accused of hacking into the email accounts of film stars Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis and other celebrities to access nude photos and private information has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges, U.S. prosecutors said on Thursday.

Mississippi Executes Man For 1995 Brutal Murder

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - A Mississippi man convicted of brutally murdering a convenience store clerk in 1995 was put to death by lethal injection on Thursday, the second execution in the state this week.

Police Chief In "Stand Your Ground" Killing Steps Down

SANFORD, Florida - A local police chief and a Florida state prosecutor overseeing the case of an unarmed black teenager shot dead by a neighborhood watch captain stepped aside on Thursday following withering criticism and national outrage that police have declined to arrest the shooter.

Whitney Houston Drowned With Cocaine In System: Coroner

LOS ANGELES - Pop star Whitney Houston died of accidental drowning due to the effects of cocaine use and heart disease, a Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman said on Thursday.

Exclusive: UAW Steps Up Bid To Organize VW U.S. Plant: Sources

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn./DETROIT - The United Auto Workers union is soliciting signatures of support from workers at Volkswagen AG's U.S. factory, an escalation of its effort to establish a foothold outside the Detroit automakers.

Texas' 2011 Drought Costliest In State History: Researchers

SAN ANTONIO - Texas agriculture producers lost $7.62 billion to the state's 2011 drought, which experts said makes it the costliest drought in the state's history and possibly the most expensive drought ever suffered by any state.

Louisiana Braces For Flooding, Storms Head For Mississippi

NEW ORLEANS - Coastal areas of Mississippi were on alert Wednesday afternoon as a line of heavy thunderstorms threatened to stall there after passing through Louisiana, which was bracing for flooding in the storm's aftermath.

New Hampshire Gay Marriage Repeal Fails

BOSTON - New Hampshire lawmakers easily defeated a bill on Wednesday that would have been the first step toward reversing the state's law that allows same-sex couples to marry.

More Sex Abuse Charges Filed Against Former Youth Coach

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A grand jury in South Carolina on Wednesday indicted Louis "Skip" ReVille, a former school principal and youth coach, on charges of child sexual abuse involving 11 more victims, bringing to 26 the number of alleged victims.

Man Arrested In Texas In Smuggling Scheme Involving Craigslist

- A man suspected of using the online advertising site Craigslist to recruit drivers for a scheme to transport illegal immigrants in a Texas border area with Mexico has been arrested and faces people-smuggling charges, U.S. authorities said on Wednesday.

Washington State Health Officials Appeal Contraception Ruling

SEATTLE - Washington state health officials asked an appeals court on Wednesday to reinstate a rule requiring that pharmacists dispense emergency contraceptives even when doing so violates their religious beliefs.

Breakaway Mormon Sect Ex-leader Begins Texas Bigamy Trial

MIDLAND, Texas - The former leader of a breakaway Mormon sect charged with being married to more than one woman at the same time went on trial in Texas on Wednesday, putting a spotlight on the rarely prosecuted crime of bigamy.

US Army Reviewing Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Practices

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army has started a system-wide review to ensure its mental healthcare facilities are not engaging in the "unacceptable" practice of considering treatment costs in making a diagnosis, Army Secretary John McHugh told a U.S. Senate hearing on Wednesday.

New York Police Eject Occupy Protesters, Arrest Six

NEW YORK - More than 100 protesters from the reawakened Occupy Wall Street movement were ejected from Union Square Park early Wednesday after a standoff with police resulted in six arrests.

Parents Of Slain Florida Teen Speak At New York Rally

NEW YORK - Trayvon Martin's mother on Wednesday told hundreds of protesters demanding an arrest in the shooting death of the unarmed Florida teen by a neighborhood watch captain that "this is not about a black and white thing. This is about a wrong and right thing."

Two Shot After Rapper Tyga's Concert In Omaha

- Two people were shot when a tour van carrying eight people from a concert featuring rapper Tyga was chased and fired on by someone in a black sedan in Omaha on Monday night, police said on Tuesday.

Scholarships Of Mississippi College Band Members Revoked Over Racial Taunt

- Southern Mississippi University revoked the pep band scholarships of five students on Tuesday after they admitted to shouting "Where is your green card?" to an Hispanic basketball player during an NCAA tournament game last week.

Hugh Hefner's Son Marston Pleads To Domestic Violence

LOS ANGELES - The 21-year-old son of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner pleaded no contest on Tuesday to a charge of domestic violence stemming from a fracas with his Playmate girlfriend Claire Sinclair.

Top Court Rejects State Damages In Medical Leave Case

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that states cannot be sued for money damages for violating a key provision of a federal law that gives workers time off for a serious medical condition, a decision that could affect millions of state employees.

Little Rock Renames Airport To Honor Bill And Hillary Clinton

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - Little Rock, Arkansas renamed its airport to honor two of its most famous citizens -- former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the airport commission said on Tuesday.

San Francisco Mayor Suspends Embattled Sheriff

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco's mayor suspended embattled Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi on Tuesday and initiated misconduct proceedings to remove him from office after the sheriff admitted to restraining his wife during a quarrel on New Year's Eve.

Young Tea Party-backed Illinois Congressman Beats Veteran Republican

CHICAGO - A rookie Congressman with Tea Party support beat a veteran Republican twice his age on Tuesday in a primary contest between incumbents forced by Democratic gerrymandering of the electoral map designed to gain congressional seats in November.

Utah Governor Signs Law Mandating 72-hour Wait For Abortion

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's Republican governor signed a law extending a required waiting period for women seeking an abortion to 72 hours on Tuesday, even though a similar requirement in South Dakota has been blocked in court, a spokeswoman said.

Florida State Workers Face Random Drug Tests Under New Law

- Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a law allowing state employees to be randomly tested for drugs, a measure likely to draw a legal challenge over its constitutionality.

Phone Call Reveals Final Moments Of Slain Florida Teen: Lawyer

ORLANDO, Florida - The case of an unarmed black teenager shot dead by a white neighborhood watch captain who police have failed to arrest will go before a grand jury, Florida prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Two Dead, One Injured After Weekend Sierra Nevada Snow

SAN FRANCISCO - A skier and a snowboarder died and another person was injured in separate incidents at resorts across the Sierra Nevada mountains over the weekend after the area was hit by the biggest storm this winter, authorities said.

Nebraska Cleans Up After Tornadoes Injure Two

- A pair of tornadoes destroyed homes, toppled train cars and downed power lines in central Nebraska, injuring two people, as the southern U.S. plains braced for storms that could bring tornadoes and flooding, authorities said on Monday.

San Francisco Sheriff Gets 1 Day In Jail, Probation In Spouse-abuse Case

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, who pleaded guilty last week to falsely imprisoning his wife, was sentenced on Monday to one day in jail and three years probation, making a tearful apology outside of court.

Activists Sue To Stop Killing Of Pacific Northwest Sea Lions

PORTLAND, Oregon - Wildlife activists sued on Monday to stop the killing of sea lions that have been eating endangered Columbia River salmon, seeking a reprieve for the animals a day before three Pacific Northwest states are authorized to begin executing them.

The Citadel Accused In Lawsuits Of Sex Abuse Cover-up

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - Three young men who say they were molested by a former youth coach filed lawsuits on Monday against The Citadel and its president, accusing both of covering up alleged sexual abuse by the man when he was a camp counselor at the military college.

Body Found Of Balloon Pilot Credited With Saving Lives

ATLANTA - Searchers in south Georgia recovered the body on Monday of a hot air balloon pilot who was credited with saving his passengers' lives before getting swept away by a thunderstorm three days ago.

Hostile Takeover: Parents Seek Control Of Failing School In Education Reform

- Desert Trails Elementary School in the impoverished town of Adelanto, California, has been failing local kids for years. More than half the students can't pass state math or reading tests.

Idaho Senate Votes To Require Pre-abortion Ultrasound

SALMON, Idaho - The Idaho Senate on Monday approved a measure requiring women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound before ending a pregnancy, joining a number of states passing ultrasound measures to discourage abortions.

Ohio Judge Won't Release Records Of School Shooting Suspect

- An Ohio judge on Monday rejected a request to release any existing social service agency or juvenile court documents related to T.J. Lane, the 17-year-old accused of going on a deadly shooting rampage at Chardon High School late last month.

Outrage Prompts U.S. Investigation Of Florida Teen Killing

ORLANDO, Florida - Responding to an international petition, celebrity tweets, and spreading public outrage, the Justice Department opened an investigation on Monday into the shooting of a black teenager by a neighborhood watch captain who escaped arrest.

More Summer-like Warmth In Central U.S., Though Storms Loom

CHICAGO - Forecasters predicted another day of unseasonably warm weather east of the Rocky Mountains on Sunday as one of the mildest winters on record entered its final week.

Indian Tribe, Developer In Tug-of-war Over Grand Canyon Skywalk

GRAND CANYON WEST, Arizona - As the muddy Colorado River flows in the plunging depths below, tourists gingerly step onto a glass walkway jutting out over the rim of the Grand Canyon for an experience that gives the illusion of walking on air.

FBI Monitoring Fatal Florida Shooting Case, As Police Criticized

- Federal authorities said on Sunday they were in contact with local police investigating the killing of a black teenager last month by a neighborhood watch volunteer in a gated Florida community, an incident that has raised alarm among civil rights leaders.

Colorado Wildfire Destroys Homes, Prompts Town's Evacuation

DENVER - A mile-wide, wind-stoked wildfire destroyed two homes in rural northeastern Colorado on Sunday, injuring three firefighters battling the blaze and leading authorities to issue an evacuation order for a farming town.

New Jersey (no Kidding) Is Among Best Corruption Fighters

WASHINGTON - Despite a well-deserved reputation for scandals, New Jersey is among the state leaders in the fight against official corruption, with most states doing a poor job, according to a wide-ranging study released on Monday.

"Friends" Line Up For Obamacare Supreme Court Challenge

- So many friends. So little love. Such is the state of the amicus, or "friend of the court," briefs that have piled up in the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case involving President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law.

Alaska Skiers Rescued After Being Stranded By Avalanche

ANCHORAGE - Two back-country skiers who became stranded for hours by an avalanche were rescued by helicopter early Saturday morning, the Alaska Air National Guard said.

Fund For Victims Of Ohio School Shooting Swells To $500,000

CLEVELAND - A fund set up to aid victims of the February 27 attack on students in Chardon, Ohio has swelled to $500,000 in the three weeks since the rampage, the deadliest U.S. high school shooting in six years.

New Beginnings For Split Crystal Cathedral Flocks

GARDEN GROVE, California - After taking a breakaway congregation out of Crystal Cathedral, a daughter of the retired televangelist who built the faltering California mega-church led services on Sunday at a movie theater and urged followers to drop the mudslinging.

Dozens Arrested At Occupy's 6-month Anniversary Rally

NEW YORK - Dozens of Occupy Wall Street protesters were arrested during the weekend as police cleared New York's Zuccotti Park, where demonstrators had gathered for the struggling movement's six-month anniversary.

A New Face For New York's St Patrick's Cathedral

NEW YORK - Saint Patrick's Cathedral, New York City's iconic house of worship on Fifth Avenue, is getting a facelift.

Utah Governor Vetoes Bill To Curb Sex Education In Schools

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Gov. Gary Herbert on Friday vetoed a controversial bill banning public schools from teaching contraception as a way of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Armed Robbers Steal $30,000 In IPhones, IPads From LA Store

LOS ANGELES - Two men have been arrested in the armed robbery of a Los Angeles area AT&T store in which roughly $30,000 in iPhones, iPads and other merchandise were taken at gunpoint, authorities said on Saturday.

Tennessee, West Virginia To Get Federal Disaster Aid

CHICAGO - The U.S. government has made federal disaster aid available to Tennessee and West Virginia to help recovery efforts in areas affected by tornadoes, mudslides and flooding in late February and early March that caused more than $1 billion in damage.

Student Guilty Of Hate Crimes For Spying On Gay Roommate

NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey - A former Rutgers University student who used a computer webcam to spy on a sexual tryst of his roommate, who later committed suicide, was found guilty of hate crimes on Friday in a case that put a national spotlight on gay bullying.

Breakaway Crystal Cathedral Congregation Finds Theater Refuge

LOS ANGELES - The faithful of Crystal Cathedral will have a choice of where to worship on Sunday -- either in the glass-walled Southern California mega-church famous from "Hour of Power" broadcasts or with the daughter of the televangelist who built it.

Wyoming Tribe Hopes To Claim More Bald Eagles

SALMON, Idaho - Days after gaining a first permit to kill two bald eagles, members of the Northern Arapaho tribe in Wyoming said they intend to negotiate with the U.S. government for the right to claim more of the revered birds for use in religious ceremonies.

Insight: The Banker And The Cabbie: When Two Worlds Collide

- At the very moment William Bryan Jennings should have been climbing into bed at his sumptuous Connecticut mansion, the high-ranking executive at Morgan Stanley was sprinting through back roads a mile away. He was exhausted, scared and - detectives would later allege - had just stabbed a taxi driver in a dispute over a fare.

Alaska Skiers Rescued After Being Stranded By Avalanche

ANCHORAGE - Two back-country skiers who became stranded for hours by an avalanche were rescued by helicopter early Saturday morning, the Alaska Air National Guard said.

Dozens Arrested At Occupy's 6-month Anniversary Rally

NEW YORK - Police arrested dozens of Occupy Wall Street protesters on Saturday night during a protest marking the movement's six-month anniversary at its birthplace in New York's Zuccotti Park.

Did St Patrick Collect Tax, Trade Slaves? Paper Asks

LONDON - St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, may well have been a tax collector for the Romans who fled to Ireland where he could have traded slaves to pay his way, according to new research by a University of Cambridge academic published on Saturday.

Two Officials Face Discipline In War Dead Controversy

WASHINGTON - Two supervisors at the Delaware mortuary for U.S. war dead are facing disciplinary action for engaging in a "campaign of retaliation" against whistle-blowers whose revelations of wrongdoing caused a major scandal at the Air Force facility, officials said on Friday.

Indiana Governor Names New Secretary Of State

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels appointed a Republican lawmaker who served as majority floor leader in the state Senate as secretary of state on Friday to replace Charlie White, who was convicted of voter fraud.

Prosecutors Seek More Information In Penn State Scandal, School Says

HERSHEY, Pennsylvania - The Pennsylvania Attorney General is seeking more information into the child sex abuse scandal at Penn State and has issued added subpoenas to staff members, the university said on Friday.

Florida Man Arrested For Abusing Severely Emaciated Son

MIAMI - A Florida man has been arrested for the "malicious punishment" of his 13-year-old son, who was so emaciated when he was found locked inside a bathroom that he only weighed only 40 pounds, authorities said on Friday.

Lawmakers, Film Star Clooney Arrested At Anti-Sudan Protest

WASHINGTON - A group of U.S. lawmakers and film star George Clooney were arrested at Sudan's embassy in Washington on Friday in a protest at which activists accused Khartoum of blocking humanitarian aid from reaching a volatile border region where hundreds of thousands of people may be short of food.

Kony Video Director Hospitalized In U.S. After "incident"

- The director of a video gone viral that calls for the arrest of Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony has been hospitalized in California following an "unfortunate incident" that his group said on Friday stemmed from the emotional toll of recent weeks.

Texas Sues Obama Administration In Abortion Dispute

SAN ANTONIO - The Texas attorney general on Friday sued the Obama administration to challenge its decision to shut down a women's health program over a dispute centered on the state's withholding of funds to clinics that provide abortions.

Student Guilty Of Hate Crimes For Spying On Gay Roommate

NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey - A former Rutgers University student who used a computer webcam to spy on a sexual tryst of his roommate, who later committed suicide, was found guilty of hate crimes on Friday in a case that put a national spotlight on gay bullying.

Utah Governor Vetoes Bill To Curb Sex Education In Schools

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Gov. Gary Herbert on Friday vetoed a controversial bill banning public schools from teaching contraception as a way of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Government To Shut Down Texas Women's Health Program

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Obama Administration on Thursday said it would begin shutting down a program that provides health care for more than 100,000 low-income women in Texas because the state will not allow funding for clinics that provide abortion services.

Oklahoma Executes Man Who Killed Wife For Insurance Money

OKLAHOMA CITY - An Oklahoma man was executed on Thursday by lethal injection for murdering his wife, who prosecutors say was beaten with a baseball bat and repeatedly run over with a pickup truck, to collect nearly $1 million in insurance benefits.

New York Gay Hotel Looks To Thriving LGBT Tourism

NEW YORK - The OUT NYC hotel boasts two hot tubs, a secret garden, its own nightclub and the title of Manhattan's first boutique hotel built specifically to cater to millions of gay tourists to New York.

Fracking Did Not Pollute Water Near Homes: U.S.

WASHINGTON - A first round of tests showed no evidence that water at 11 homes in a small town in Pennsylvania near natural gas drilling operations had been polluted to unhealthy levels, U.S. environmental regulators said on Thursday.

Arrest Made In Case Of Abducted 18-year-old Anchorage Barista

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A man has been arrested in Texas in connection with the disappearance of an 18-year-old barista who was abducted from a drive-up Alaska coffee stand six weeks ago, Anchorage police said on Thursday.

Accused Texas Courthouse Gunman Targeted Daughter: Police

- A man accused of opening fire outside a Texas courthouse, killing a 79-year-old bystander, was gunning for his daughter and her mother after they testified against him in a sexual assault case, police said on Thursday.

Banks Hike Fees, Cut Costs To Boost Profits

- Jack up checking fees for bank customers who don't use direct deposit regularly. Replace tellers with self-service, touch-screen kiosks. Install new chairs and conference rooms to court well-to-do customers.

New York Cuts Pension Benefits For Public Workers

- New York state lawmakers approved pension reform that will save an estimated $80 billion over 30 years, largely by reducing benefits for newly hired state and local public workers, which union officials Thursday blasted as an attack on the middle class.

Special U.S. Military Unit Hunts Mexico Border Drug Flights

DOUGLAS, Ariz - A highly specialized U.S. military task force is using battlefield technology to help federal police hunt elusive drug traffickers slipping over the Mexico border in hard-to-detect ultralight aircraft, officials said on Thursday.

Suspected Tornado Hits Michigan As Warm Spell Goes On

CHICAGO - A suspected tornado touched down in Michigan on Thursday, causing severe damage to some structures but no deaths, as forecasters put four states in the country's midsection under severe thunderstorm watches or warnings.

Child Injuries On Farms Cost $1.4 Billion A Year

- More than 26,000 children and adolescents are injured on farms and ranches in the United States every year, racking up costs of more than $1.4 billion -- but only 84 of these were fatal, according to a new study.

Man Dies From Injuries Sustained In Alaska Avalanche

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A second man pulled from an avalanche on Tuesday in the mountains near Haines, Alaska, has died, Alaska State Troopers said on Wednesday.

Wyoming Tribe Gains Right To Kill Bald Eagles

SALMON, Idaho - The Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a first-time permit allowing a Native American tribe in Wyoming to kill two bald eagles in a centuries-old religious ceremony once outlawed by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Giffords, Kelly To Headline On Mediterranean Cruise

PHOENIX - Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her retired astronaut husband Mark Kelly will take to the high seas this summer as the headliners for a high-end Atlantic and Mediterranean cruise.

Voter ID Becomes Law In Pennsylvania, Opponents Vow Legal Fight

PHILADELPHIA - A requirement that voters show photo identification at the polls became law in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, the latest in a spate of Republican-led efforts to impose stricter controls at the ballot box.

Ad Campaign Shows Smoking's Scary Side

CHICAGO - Health officials launched a $54 million advertising campaign on Thursday depicting the health risks of smoking in gruesome detail, offering the latest salvo in the government's campaign to deglamorize cigarette smoking.

Romney, Allies Launch Ad War For Illinois Primary

WASHINGTON - In the wild race for the Republican presidential nomination, there has been one constant: When Mitt Romney really needs to do well in a state, he and his allies pour money into ads, most of which attack his rivals.

Obama, Cartoon Network Target Bullying In Documentary

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama appears in an upcoming Cartoon Network documentary aimed at encouraging bullied children and others to speak up, and says that as the father of two young girls he is deeply concerned about the issue.

NY State Lawmakers To Allow Casino Gambling

- New York state lawmakers have agreed to legalize public casinos and will amend the state constitution to allow seven new casinos to operate, lawmakers said on Wednesday.

Blagojevich Defends Actions On Way To Prison

CHICAGO - Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday used his final public appearance before reporting to prison to defend his political actions and express confidence that his conviction on federal corruption charges will ultimately be overturned.

Convicted Oregon Killer Seeks To Lift Governor's Death Row Reprieve

PORTLAND, Oregon - A convicted killer spared lethal injection when Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber stopped all executions in the state last year is challenging that reprieve, saying he doesn't want to be a pawn in the governor's campaign to repeal the death penalty.

Iowa Takes A Step Toward Legalizing Some Online Poker

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa took a step toward legalizing on-line poker on Tuesday because supporters said the state is losing millions of dollars in revenue annually to companies outside the state and overseas running the games.

Colonel From Troubled U.S. Army Base Charged With Making Threats

SEATTLE - A U.S. Army officer from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the home installation of the soldier suspected of massacring Afghan civilians, was charged on Tuesday with threatening the lives of his estranged wife, a girlfriend and his boss.

Obama, Cameron Catch "March Madness" Basketball Game

DAYTON, Ohio - President Barack Obama, America's basketball fan-in-chief, treated British Prime Minister David Cameron to courtside seats for "March Madness" on Tuesday, taking him to an NCAA tournament game in the presidential election swing state of Ohio.

Jobless Rates In Some Swing States At 3-year Lows

- Ahead of a presidential election widely considered a referendum on President Barack Obama's job creation efforts, all but two states reported improving jobless rates in January from a year ago, with some swing states hitting the lowest rates in three years.

Insight: Behind The Healthcare-law Case: The Challengers' Tale

WASHINGTON - A little over a year ago, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was on a mission. Along with a group of like-minded officials from other states, she was determined to be the first to test President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law at the U.S. Supreme Court. And she wanted to find the right lawyer to do it.

Floods Spurred By Rising Seas Threaten 5 Million

WASHINGTON - For the nearly 5 million people who live along the U.S. coasts from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico and the West Coast, rising seas fueled by global warming have doubled the risk of so-called once-a-century floods, according to a trio of environmental reports released on Wednesday.

Powerful Alabama Congressman Bachus Survives Tough Primary

MOBILE, Alabama - Powerful Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus overcame aggressive campaign ads and allegations of insider trading to beat his Republican challengers by a wide margin in Tuesday's primary contest.

Transformer Fire Plunges Boston Into Darkness

BOSTON - A three-alarm fire in an electrical transformer in a popular Boston neighborhood caused a massive blackout on Tuesday, plunging part of the city into darkness, disrupting public transport and briefly prompting authorities to urge residents to stay indoors because of fears of toxic fumes. Firefighters responded to a fire in a 115,000-volt transformer at an NSTAR substation located in a garage close to the Back Bay Hilton, a 390-room hotel. The densely-populated, upscale neighbo

Banks To Pay $25 Million To NY State Over Mortgage System

NEW YORK - Five major U.S. banks have agreed to pay $25 million to New York State over their use of an electronic mortgage database that the state said resulted in deceptive and illegal practices that led to more than 13,000 foreclosures.

New York's Suffolk County Notes Seen Getting Low Rates Despite Crisis

NEW YORK - New York's Suffolk County, which last week declared a financial crisis, is still expected to obtain fairly low interest rates when it sells short-term notes, a stop-gap measure needed to avoid running out of cash in April. Suffolk County, located on Long Island's eastern half and home of The Hamptons, the beach resorts where rich people from Wall Street and around the world spend summers, has run into the same sorts of problems now bedeviling other communities in the United

Illinois Politicians Fuming As Tornado Aid Rejected

CHICAGO - Illinois politicians reacted angrily on Monday to the disaster agency's rejection of the state's application for federal aid to rebuild from a deadly tornado that killed seven people in a single town last month.

Mobster Bulger's Girlfriend Greig To Plead Guilty

BOSTON - Catherine Greig, the girlfriend of reputed Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger, will change her plea to guilty in charges relating to their 16 years on the run, according to documents released Monday by authorities.

Gov. To Cut Texas Women's Health Funds Over Abortion

AUSTIN, Texas - The federal government will withdraw funding for a Texas program providing more than 100,000 poor women with birth control and other health services because Planned Parenthood clinics are not allowed to participate, a U.S. Health and Human Services spokeswoman said on Friday.

Threatening Letters Suspect Appears In Court In Washington State

TACOMA, Washington - A man suspected of sending about 100 threatening letters to members of Congress and the media last month made his first appearance on Monday in federal court in Washington state, where a judge ordered him sent back to Oregon.

Pacific Northwest White Supremacist Pleads Guilty To Slayings

SEATTLE - A white supremacist suspected with his girlfriend of killing four people in a violent road trip across the Pacific Northwest has pleaded guilty to two slayings in a deal with prosecutors that spares him from the death penalty in Washington state.

Northeast, Midwest See Record High Temperatures

MINNEAPOLIS - Temperatures soared to record highs in the Northeast on Monday after a weekend of record-setting warmth across the Upper Plains and forecasts for an unprecedented extended warm front this week, the National Weather Service said.

Nixon Love Letters To His "dearest Heart" Go On Display

- Old-school love letters between a young Richard Nixon and the woman he would later marry have been unveiled at the former president's library in California, showing the poetic side of a man who addressed his future wife as "dearest heart."

Sheriff Pleads Guilty To Reduced Charge In Spousal-abuse Case

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, in a deal that would allow him to keep his badge and gun, pleaded guilty on Monday to a lesser misdemeanor charge in a spousal-abuse case linked to a New Year's Eve quarrel with his estranged wife.

Chicago Hospital Doctors Say IPads Raise Their Efficiency

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When doctors-in-training at the University of Chicago were given iPad tablet computers to use on their rounds, they found that using the device helped them be more efficient at ordering tests and procedures for their patients.

California Homeless Serial Killer Suspect To Be Tried In September

LOS ANGELES - An Iraq war veteran accused in the serial killings of four Orange County homeless men and the stabbing deaths of a high school friend's mother and brother will stand trial in September, a judge ordered Friday.

Forgotten In Republican Campaign, Eisenhower Rises In Stature

ABILENE, Kansas - Former President Dwight Eisenhower is hardly mentioned during the Republican campaign for the White House this year even though the reputation of the World War Two general-turned-politician is rising among a record number of scholars studying his presidency.

French Actor Confirms Engagement To Halle Berry: Report

LOS ANGELES - French actor Olivier Martinez has confirmed that he and Oscar winner Halle Berry are engaged to be married, the Miami Herald reported.

Chicago-area House Featured In 'Home Alone' Movies Sold

CHICAGO - The stately red brick house featured in the 1990 comedy film "Home Alone" has sold for nearly $1.6 million, a person involved in the transaction said on Saturday.

Judge Stabbed, Deputy Shot At Washington State Courthouse

SEATTLE - A knife-wielding attacker stabbed a judge and shot a sheriff's deputy with the officer's own gun in a county courthouse in Washington state on Friday, prompting a lockdown of schools and government buildings as police and SWAT teams searched for the attacker.

Coast Guard Searches For 4 Missing Off Washington Coast

- The Coast Guard is searching for four people missing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington state, after a fishing vessel sent a distress signal early on Saturday.

Congressman Inslee To Step Down And Focus On Run For Governor

- Representative Jay Inslee said on Saturday he would step down from Congress later this month to focus full time on what is expected to be a tight race for governor of Washington state.

Last Inmates Pardoned By Former Mississippi Governor Released

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - The last three inmates still in prison who had been pardoned by former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour were released on Saturday, two days after the state's highest court cleared the way for their freedom.

U.S. Televangelist Robert Schuller Leaves Church Board

LOS ANGELES - U.S. televangelist Robert Schuller and his wife have left the board of the California megachurch that they founded and made famous for the "Hour of Power" broadcasts, amid a financial dispute with its leaders.

Appalachia Banks On Natural Gas, Chemical Plants

WHEELING, West Virginia - In George Vacheresse's lifetime, Appalachia has fallen from its prime when steel mills and coal mines anchored middle-class communities and offered hope there always would be enough work to go around.

Author Defends "Doonesbury" Abortion Strip

LOS ANGELES - "Doonesbury" author Garry Trudeau on Friday defended an upcoming strip that some newspapers rejected and others have questioned because it deals with a Texas abortion law the cartoonist described as "lunacy."

Obama Offers Disaster Aid To Indiana Counties Hit By Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS - President Barack Obama said six southern Indiana counties devastated by severe weather and tornadoes last week were eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania To Skip Two Debt Payments

- Pennsylvania's distressed capital city, Harrisburg, will skip $5.3 million of debt payments due next week, the first time the city has defaulted on its general obligation bonds, to ensure there is enough cash to fund vital services.

California Homeless Serial Killer Suspect To Be Tried In September

LOS ANGELES - An Iraq war veteran accused in the serial killings of four Orange County homeless men and the stabbing deaths of a high school friend's mother and brother will stand trial in September, a judge ordered Friday.

Democratic Representative Inslee To Step Down, Focus On Governor Race

- Democratic Representative Jay Inslee said on Saturday he would step down from Congress later this month to focus on his campaign for governor of Washington state.

Judge Stabbed, Deputy Shot At Washington State Courthouse

SEATTLE - A knife-wielding attacker stabbed a judge and shot a sheriff's deputy with the officer's own gun in a county courthouse in Washington state on Friday, prompting a lockdown of schools and government buildings as police and SWAT teams searched for the attacker.

Coast Guard Searches For 4 Missing Off Washington Coast

- The Coast Guard is searching for four people missing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington state, after a fishing vessel sent a distress signal early on Saturday.

Congressman Inslee To Step Down And Focus On Run For Governor

- Representative Jay Inslee said on Saturday he would step down from Congress later this month to focus full time on what is expected to be a tight race for governor of Washington state.

Morgan Stanley Banker Pleads Not Guilty In Cab Driver Assault

STAMFORD, Connecticut - A senior Morgan Stanley banker pleaded not guilty on Friday to hate crime, theft and assault charges stemming from an incident last December that police say escalated from a dispute over a $200-plus cab fare to a knife attack on the driver.

Last Inmates Pardoned By Former Mississippi Governor Released

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - The last three inmates still in prison who had been pardoned by former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour were released on Saturday, two days after the state's highest court cleared the way for their freedom.

Cleveland-area Political Powerbroker Guilty Of Corruption

CLEVELAND - A federal jury on Friday found Cleveland-area political powerbroker Jimmy Dimora guilty of corruption charges, including bribery and racketeering, in a case that exposed a web of political patronage and influence-peddling.

Government To Cut Texas Women's Health Funds In Abortion Dispute

AUSTIN, Texas - The federal government will withdraw funding for a Texas program providing more than 100,000 poor women with birth control and other health services because Planned Parenthood clinics are not allowed to participate, a U.S. Health and Human Services spokeswoman said on Friday.

Company Faces $500,000 Fine In Fatal 2007 Mine Collapse

SALT LAKE CITY - The owner of a Utah mine where six workers and three rescuers died following a 2007 collapse will be fined $500,000 to settle criminal charges against the company, attorneys said on Friday.

Man Charged Over Threatening Letters Sent To US Congress

PORTLAND, Oregon - A man was arrested and charged on Friday in connection with about 100 envelopes containing threatening letters and a suspicious powdery substance mailed from Oregon to members of Congress and the news media, authorities said.

Author Defends "Doonesbury" Abortion Strip

LOS ANGELES - "Doonesbury" author Garry Trudeau on Friday defended an upcoming strip that some newspapers rejected and others have questioned because it deals with a Texas abortion law the cartoonist described as "lunacy."

Occupy Wall Street In New York Running Low On Cash

NEW YORK - The Occupy Wall Street group in New York is running low on money and on pace to run out by the end of the month, raising questions about the future of the movement that sparked a wave of nationwide protests against economic injustice six months ago.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania To Skip Two Debt Payments

- Pennsylvania's distressed capital city, Harrisburg, will skip $5.3 million of debt payments due next week, the first time the city has defaulted on its general obligation bonds, to ensure there is enough cash to fund vital services.

California Homeless Serial Killer Suspect To Be Tried In September

LOS ANGELES - An Iraq war veteran accused in the serial killings of four Orange County homeless men and the stabbing deaths of a high school friend's mother and brother will stand trial in September, a judge ordered Friday.

Judge Stabbed, Deputy Shot At Washington State Courthouse

SEATTLE - A knife-wielding attacker stabbed a judge and shot a sheriff's deputy with the officer's own gun in a county courthouse in Washington state on Friday, prompting a lockdown of schools and government buildings as police and SWAT teams searched for the attacker.

Morgan Stanley Banker Pleads Not Guilty In Cab Driver Assault

STAMFORD, Connecticut - A senior Morgan Stanley banker pleaded not guilty on Friday to hate crime, theft and assault charges stemming from an incident last December that police say escalated from a dispute over a $200-plus cab fare to a knife attack on the driver.

Arizona Executes Man For Murder Of Philanthropist

PHOENIX - The killer of a Phoenix-area philanthropist who was injected with battery acid and strangled during a 1991 robbery of the victim's home was executed on Thursday after nearly two decades on Arizona's death row.

Environmental Groups Sue To Stop California Building Project

LOS ANGELES - Environmentalists on Thursday sued to stop a development project that would build a new town on the shores of the Salton Sea, California's largest lake, because they said it would increase pollution and threaten wildlife in nearby parks.

Oakland Sues Anti-Wall Street Protester Over Smashed Windows

SAN FRANCISCO - Oakland officials have sued an anti-Wall Street activist who smashed windows at a police facility during a demonstration last year, marking the first in what could be a string of lawsuits the city files against Occupy Oakland protestors.

Court Blocks More Parts Of Alabama Immigration Law

- An appeals court ordered the state of Alabama on Thursday to stop enforcing additional parts of its controversial new immigration law, pending review of a federal challenge to the measure that is considered the toughest in the nation.

Fourth Body Found From Coast Guard Helicopter Crash In February

Mobile, Alabama - The body of the final missing crewman from a helicopter crash that killed four U.S. Coast Guard members off the Alabama coast late last month has been recovered, officials said Thursday. The body of Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight, of Thomasville, Alabama, was recovered by response personnel late Thursday afternoon. "This has been a long, tasking week for all involved as we pushed forward and put in countless hours to find our fallen Guardians and bring them bac

Florida Poised To Enact "Caylee's Law" Inspired By Girl's Death

TALLAHASSEE, Fla - The Florida legislature on Thursday passed and sent to the governor a law intended to protect missing children that was prompted by the death of two-year-old Caylee Anthony and the acquittal of her mother, Casey, of murder charges.

Men Who Went On Spending Spree With Friend's Body Sentenced

- Two men who admitted to driving around Denver with their dead friend's corpse and using the dead man's debit card to fund a night at a strip club were sentenced on Thursday to probation, prosecutors said.

Anti-government, Hate Groups Growing: Report

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - The number of hate and anti-government groups in the United States continued to rise last year, fueled by racial tensions, conspiracy theories and anger over economic inequality, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Banks Foreclosing On Churches In Record Numbers

LOS ANGELES - Banks are foreclosing on America's churches in record numbers as lenders increasingly lose patience with religious facilities that have defaulted on their mortgages, according to new data.

Two Dead, Including Gunman, In Shooting At Pittsburgh Hospital

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - Two people were killed and seven people were wounded in a shooting on Thursday at a psychiatric institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and one of the dead was the gunman who walked into the clinic's lobby armed with two semi-automatic handguns, authorities said.

Utah Lawmakers Pass Bill To Curb Sex Education In Schools

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah would become the first state to ban public schools from teaching contraception as a way of preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases under a bill given final legislative approval by state lawmakers.

Detroit Mayor's New Plan: Sell City Lots For $200

Detroit - Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, under pressure to stanch cash outflows, unveiled a new plan Wednesday night that would allow property owners in the city to buy vacant city-owned lots for $200.

Man Barred From Entering City Hall Wins Race For Mayor

SANTA FE, New Mexico - A man facing extortion charges and forbidden from entering City Hall or speaking with city employees won the election for mayor in the town of Sunland Park, New Mexico.

Student Petitions Film Group Over Restrictive "Bully" Rating

LOS ANGELES - A teenager once victimized by schoolmates petitioned a Hollywood studio group on Wednesday seeking a rating change for a new documentary film about bullying that would allow young audiences to see it without parental approval.

Virginia Lawmakers Drop Home Invasion Self-defense Bill For Now

PORTSMOUTH, Virginia - Virginia lawmakers abandoned efforts on Wednesday to expand the right of homeowners to use deadly force against any intruders amid fierce opposition from critics, but vowed to take the issue up again next year.

New Hampshire House Passes Birth Control Exemption

LITTLETON, New Hampshire - New Hampshire's Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to exempt religious institutions from having to include contraceptive coverage in health insurance plans.

Oklahoma House Approves Pistol-packing In Public

OKLAHOMA CITY - Law abiding citizens of Oklahoma who want to publicly carry a pistol on their hip or in a shoulder holster may do so under a bill overwhelmingly approved on Wednesday by the state House of Representatives.

Family Of Florida Boy Killed By Neighborhood Watch Seeks Arrest

ORLANDO, Florida - The family of a 17-year-old African-American boy shot to death last month in his gated Florida community by a white Neighborhood Watch captain wants to see the captain arrested, the family's lawyer said on Wednesday.

Gunman Shoots Sheriff's Deputy, Bystander Outside Tulsa

OKLAHOMA CITY - A gunman fired a flurry of shots into the air and then traded gunfire with police outside the Tulsa County Courthouse on Wednesday, wounding a sheriff's deputy and an innocent bystander, authorities said.

Insight: Public Schools Sell Empty Classroom Seats Abroad

REVILLO, South Dakota - There are just seven pairs of boots lined up outside the kindergarten classroom in this fading farm town. Just eight crayon drawings are taped to the wall outside second grade.

Two Dead In Shooting At Florida High School

MIAMI - A teacher who had been fired earlier in the day returned to a Florida high school on Tuesday with an assault rifle and fatally shot the headmistress before killing himself, a sheriff's spokesman said.

Former Youth Coach Indicted For Serial Sex Abuse Of Boys

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A former South Carolina school principal and youth coach was indicted Tuesday on 22 counts of sexually molesting boys, including some at a military college summer camp, five years after the college investigated the man but took no action.

U.S. Has Failed Americans Over Immigration, Arizona Governor

PHOENIX - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, firing a fresh salvo in her legal and political battle with president Barack Obama over illegal immigration, said on Tuesday that Washington had "failed every single American" by neglecting to secure its border with Mexico.

Washington State Boy, 9, Charged In Shooting May Testify

SEATTLE - A 9-year-old boy charged in the accidental shooting of a classmate with a gun he said he brought to school to fend off bullies has agreed to testify against his mother on weapons offenses as part of a deal with prosecutors, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

California Man Arrested In Killing Of Girlfriend With Cannon

POTRERO, California - Authorities arrested a 39-year-old man suspected of killing his girlfriend on Tuesday by shooting a homemade cannon into a room of their remote California trailer home.

Boy, 9, Charged In Shooting May Testify Against Mom

SEATTLE - A 9-year-old boy charged in the accidental shooting of a classmate with a gun he said he brought to school to fend off bullies has agreed to testify against his mother on weapons offenses as part of a deal with prosecutors, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Oklahoma State Senate Passes "heartbeat" Abortion Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that would require doctors to tell women they have the right to hear the heartbeat of the fetus before the pregnancy is terminated.

Judge Temporarily Blocks Wisconsin Voter ID Law

MADISON, Wisconsin - A judge temporarily blocked enforcement of Wisconsin's controversial new voter identification law on Tuesday, weeks before the state's April 3 presidential primary, and supporters of the law said they would likely appeal.

Democrats Protest Plan For Rush Limbaugh Bust In Missouri

ST. LOUIS - A plan to place a bust in the Missouri Capitol to honor Rush Limbaugh, the conservative broadcaster embroiled in controversy over his calling a university student a "slut" on the air, has drawn protests from state Democrats who are trying to block the effort.

Ohio School Rampage Victim Mourned, Suspect Back In Court

CHARDON, Ohio - Hundreds of mourners packed a church and gathered outside on Tuesday for the funeral of one of three students killed in a shooting rampage at an Ohio high school, hours before a judge set an April hearing to determine if the teen suspect should be tried as an adult in the crimes.

Accused Tucson Shooter Loses Appeal Over Forced Medication

SAN FRANCISCO - Prison doctors may continue to forcibly medicate the man charged with the deadly Tucson shooting spree last year that gravely wounded then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as they seek to restore his fitness for trial, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.

Obama Admin Appeals Ruling On Tobacco Health Label

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration on Monday appealed a decision that found unconstitutional a U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation requiring tobacco companies to put large, graphic health warnings on cigarette packages and advertising.

Minnesota School District Settles Lawsuit Over Gay Slurs

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota's biggest public school district has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit with six current and former students awarding them $270,000 after finding they were subjected to slurs, threats and attacks for their real or perceived sexual orientation as gays or lesbians.

Colorado Court Says Students Can Carry Guns On Campus

DENVER - The University of Colorado overstepped its authority when the school's board of regents imposed a ban on the carrying of concealed weapons at its four campuses, the state's Supreme Court ruled on Monday.

Racial Divide Runs Deep In U.S. Schools, Study Finds

- Black and Latino students across the United States are far more likely to be suspended than white students - and far less likely to have access to rigorous college-prep courses, according to a sweeping study released on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.

Sheriff's Ex-girlfriend To Testify At His Spouse-abuse Trial

SAN FRANCISCO - An ex-girlfriend who has accused San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi of bruising her arm will be allowed to testify for the prosecution in his spousal-abuse trial, the judge ruled on Monday.

Dozens Arrested Protesting Education Cuts At California

SACRAMENTO, California - Dozens of protesters angry over fee hikes and budget cuts at California's public universities were arrested on Monday night during a boisterous but peaceful demonstration inside the state Capitol building.

U.S. Defends Killing Americans Who Join Al Qaeda

CHICAGO - The Obama administration asserted on Monday a right to kill Americans overseas who are plotting attacks against the United States, laying out specific details for the first time about a policy that critics argue violates U.S. and international law.

Two Virginia Tech Victims' Families File Wrongful Death Lawsuits

PORTSMOUTH, Virginia - The families of two students slain in the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre are seeking to hold the university accountable in a wrongful death lawsuit which got underway on Monday.

Tornado-ravaged Areas Hit By Snowstorm, Cold

WEST LIBERTY, Kentucky - A winter snow storm added to the woes on Monday of tornado-struck Indiana and Kentucky, dropping several inches of snow on the ravaged region where dozens of people were killed, meteorologists said.

BP's $7.8 Billion Deal May Speed Payments For U.S. Spill

NEW ORLEANS - The estimated $7.8 billion deal struck by BP Plc with businesses and individuals suing over the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill could speed up payments to thousands of claimants and offers lawyers a potential windfall in legal fees.

Historic Plantations Hit The Market In South Carolina

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - The privately owned historic plantations that dot South Carolina's low country don't switch hands often, but a tough economy and generational changes in family ownership have resulted in a crowded market for the rare properties.

Rush Limbaugh Apologizes To Law Student For "insulting" Comment

LOS ANGELES - Right-wing talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, roundly criticized for branding a law student a "slut" over her outspoken support of President Barack Obama's new policy on contraception coverage, apologized on Saturday for his "insulting word choices."

San Francisco 49ers Stadium Deal Nears Goal Line

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco 49ers' planned move to a new billion-dollar stadium in suburban Santa Clara faces what could be its final hurdle on Monday when a judge hears arguments on whether a complex financing deal should be subject to voter approval.

Toddler Freezes To Death In Alaska; Mom Charged

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A second-grade teacher and her companion face homicide and abuse charges in the death of the woman's 3-year-old daughter, who authorities say was locked overnight in a freezing room in sub-zero temperatures with the window open, according to state records.

Toddler Found In Field After Tornado Dies Of Injuries

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - A toddler who was found alive in a field in tornado-ravaged southeastern Indiana after her parents and two siblings were killed when a twister struck their mobile home died on Sunday of her injuries, her family said.

U.S. To Offer Legal Backing For "targeted Killing": Source

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration on Monday plans to outline how U.S. laws empower the government to kill Americans overseas who engage in terrorism against their home country, a source familiar with the matter said, months after a drone strike killed a U.S.-born cleric who plotted attacks from Yemen.

Tornado Victims Flock To Facebook For Helping Hand

LOS ANGELES - Residents of the storm-ravaged communities in the Midwest are reaching out to each other, neighbor to neighbor, through social media sites to coordinate disaster relief and share information.

Boy, 7, Survives Brush With Tornado In North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - A 7-year-old boy was recovering on Sunday after a tornado sheared off the walls of his North Carolina home, snatched him from his bed and threw him 350 feet onto the embankment of a nearby interstate, the boy's grandmother told Reuters.

Calm Weather Offers Respite After Deadly Storms

LONDON, Kentucky - Calm weather gave dazed residents of storm-wracked U.S. towns a respite on Sunday as they dug out from a chain of tornadoes that cut a swath of destruction from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico, killing at least 39 people.

Iditarod Kicks Off With Snowy Run Through Anchorage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Hundreds of dogs barked, bundled-up spectators cheered and snow fell steadily as 66 mushers and their teams began the 40th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Saturday with a run through downtown Anchorage.

One Arrested, 2 Sought In Arizona Club Shooting

TEMPE, Arizona - One man is under arrest and two more are being sought in what police said on Saturday appeared to be gang-related shootings that left 14 people wounded at a Tempe, Arizona, nightclub.

Rush Limbaugh Apologizes To Law Student For "insulting" Comment

LOS ANGELES - Right-wing talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, roundly criticized for branding a law student a "slut" over her outspoken support of President Barack Obama's new policy on contraception coverage, apologized on Saturday for his "insulting word choices."

Providence, Rhode Island, Asks Retirees To Accept Less

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Angel Taveras, the mayor of Rhode Island's capital of Providence, on Saturday painted a dire fiscal picture of his city: by this summer, it could run out of money.

Enbridge Shuts Part Of Key U.S. Oil Pipeline After Fire

CALGARY, Alberta - Enbridge Inc shut down a key segment of the main Canada-to-United States oil pipeline for an undetermined period on Saturday after a deadly vehicle accident caused a fire at an Illinois pumping station.

Indiana Toddler's Parents, Siblings Died In Storm

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - A toddler girl's entire family was killed by tornadoes in the hours before she was rescued alone from a field miles from her home in ravaged southeast Indiana, officials said on Saturday.

Residents Of Rural Kentucky Town Say "blessed" Despite Damage

CRITTENDEN, Kentucky - When a tornado ripped through the rural Kentucky community of Crittenden on Friday afternoon it tore apart neighborhoods, threw crushed cars into houses and left homes in ruins.

Georgia Cleans Up After Storms Leave One Dead

ATLANTA - Southern Georgia cleanup crews were hampered on Saturday by more severe weather after tornadoes, thunderstorms and high winds lashed northern areas of the state on Friday night, leaving one dead and hundreds of homes badly damaged, officials said.

BP's $7.8 Billion Deal May Speed Payments For U.S. Spill

NEW ORLEANS - The estimated $7.8 billion deal struck by BP Plc with businesses and individuals suing over the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill could speed up payments to thousands of claimants and offers lawyers a potential windfall in legal fees.

Calm Weather A Respite In Tornado Zone Where 39 Died

CRITTENDEN, Kentucky - Calm weather gave dazed residents of storm-wracked towns a respite early on Sunday as they dug out from a chain of tornadoes that cut a swath of destruction from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico, killing at least 39 people.

Miami Students Rally For Valedictorian Facing Deportation

MIAMI - More than 2,000 Miami students walked out of class and took to the streets on Friday in a show of solidarity with a high school valedictorian ordered to leave the United States by an immigration judge.

New York Man Gets 27 Years For Plot To Kill Troops

NEW YORK - A federal judge sentenced a New York man on Friday to 27 years in prison for his attempts to join an al Qaeda-linked group and fight U.S. soldiers, federal prosecutors said.

Classes Resume At Ohio School Four Days After Shooting

CHARDON, Ohio - Classes resumed on Friday at Chardon High School, four days after a 17-year-old opened fire in a cafeteria, killing three students in the deadliest shooting rampage at a U.S. high school in six years.

U.S. Cops In Shoot Out With Mexico Drug Gang Across Rio Grande

- U.S. Border Patrol agents and Mexican drug traffickers fought a gun battle across the Rio Grande river in south Texas, authorities said on Friday, the latest of a spate of cross-border shootings in recent months.

Autopsy Conducted On Conservative Activist Breitbart

LOS ANGELES - Coroners conducted an autopsy on the body of conservative activist Andrew Breitbart on Friday but deferred a formal finding on the cause of his death until toxicology and lab tests are completed, officials said.

Suicide Victim's Gay Date Saw Camera In Rutgers Dorm Room

NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey - The man who had a gay sexual encounter with a Rutgers University student that a roommate saw via webcam made his first public appearance on Friday, telling jurors that he had noticed the webcam in the dorm room while in a "compromising" position.

Three Occupy Oakland Protesters Charged With Hate Crimes

- Three Occupy Oakland protesters accused of surrounding and taunting a woman before stealing her wallet were charged on Friday with robbery and hate crimes, authorities said.

Obama Calls Student As Contraception Fight Turns Nasty

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama called a law student on Friday to express his support after she was branded a "slut" by controversial right-wing talk-show host Rush Limbaugh for her outspoken support of Obama's new policy on contraception coverage.

BP Reaches $7.8 Billion Deal Over Gulf Of Mexico Spill

NEW YORK - BP Plc has reached an estimated $7.8 billion deal with plaintiffs suing over the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the company said on Friday, but the oil giant still faces claims by the U.S. government, Gulf states and drilling partners.

Tornadoes Kill At Least 27 In Midwest, South

INDIANAPOLIS - Powerful tornadoes raked across a wide swath of the U.S. Midwest and South on Friday, killing at least 27 people in three states and bringing the death toll to at least 40 from a week of deadly late-winter storms.

Hunting Claims Hundreds Of Wolves In Northern Rockies

SALMON, Idaho - Some 166 wolves were killed in Montana in that state's first hunting season since federal protection of the species was lifted last year, but its population still managed to grow by 15 percent in 2011, state wildlife officials said on Thursday.

Arizona Sheriff Says Obama's Birth Certificate A "forgery"

PHOENIX - A tough-talking Arizona sheriff, already embroiled in a Justice Department bias investigation, waded deeper into controversy on Thursday with an assertion that a probe by his office found President Barack Obama's birth certificate was a forgery.

Ultrasound Mandate Heads To Virginia Governor's Desk

PORTSMOUTH, Va - Virginia's Republican governor is poised to sign a law forcing women to have an ultrasound before an abortion after state lawmakers approved amendments on Thursday, sending the measure to his desk.

Florida House Passes 24-hour Wait For Abortions

TALLAHASSEE, Fla - Women seeking abortions would be required to wait 24 hours under a bill passed by the Florida House on Thursday.

Sandusky's Alleged Victims Say Abuse Occurred On Penn State

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania - Eight of the 10 men who prosecutors contend were sexually abused by former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky were abused on the college campus, and one was just 8 years old at the time, according to court documents released on Thursday.

Federal Judge In Montana Criticized Over Racist Obama

MISSOULA, Montana - A federal judge in Montana who used official court email to circulate a racist joke about President Barack Obama has acknowledged the indiscretion and initiated a misconduct complaint against himself, court officials said on Thursday.

Exclusive: DOJ Casts Wide Net With Mortgage Subpoenas

WASHINGTON - A U.S. Justice Department inquiry into the packaging and sale of home loans by the biggest U.S. banks casts a wide net and appears to significantly overlap with other enforcement efforts, according to people who have viewed subpoenas sent to the firms.

Maryland Legalizes Same-sex Marriage; Challenge Looms

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland - Maryland became the eighth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage on Thursday, just as opponents were ramping up efforts to repeal the new law at the ballot box.

Midwest Cleans Up From Tornadoes, More Storms Forecast

HARRISBURG, Illinois - Residents of storm-tossed midwestern towns searched for photographs and mementos from their ruined homes on Thursday as the death toll from a line of tornado-producing storms rose to 13, while more storms bore down on the region.

Conservative Activist Andrew Breitbart Dead At 43

LOS ANGELES - Conservative activist Andrew Breitbart, an influential voice in Republican circles known for his online media attacks on liberals, died unexpectedly of natural causes in Los Angeles early on Thursday, his family said. He was 43.