Missouri To Join Southeast Conference

- The University of Missouri will leave the Big 12 conference to join the Southeastern Conference effective next summer with sports competition to begin in the fall of 2012, the Southeastern Conference announced on Sunday.

Same Sex Marriage Fight Focuses On Iowa State Special Election

MARION, Iowa - A special election on Tuesday for an Iowa State Senate seat could change the balance of power there and encourage Republicans to try to overturn the state's approval of same sex marriage.

Acting San Francisco Mayor Poised To Win Election

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco's interim Mayor Ed Lee is poised to become its first elected mayor of Chinese descent, a political milestone for a city where Chinese-Americans now account for a quarter of the electorate.

Thousands Remain Without Power Week After October Snowstorm

BOSTON - Tens of thousands of homes remained in the dark on Sunday a week after a historic snowstorm paralyzed the Northeast and cut power to more than three million customers.

Singer Andy Williams Reveals He Has Cancer

BRANSON, Mo - Veteran singer Andy Williams, a 1960s television variety show star best known for his rendition of the ballad "Moon River," told fans over the weekend that he has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Despite Tough Times, Big-city Mayors Expected To Be Re-elected

HOUSTON - Voters on Tuesday will select mayors in eight of the nation's 25 largest cities -- including Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Baltimore -- with incumbents expected to win in most cases.

Atlanta Protesters Regrouping After Arrests: Spokeswoman

ATLANTA - Atlanta protesters from the "Occupy" movement against economic inequality will regroup and discuss plans for future demonstrations after 20 were arrested overnight, a protest spokeswoman said on Sunday.

Fourteen Homes Damaged In Record Earthquake In Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY - Fourteen homes were damaged late on Saturday in the largest earthquake to hit Oklahoma on record, emergency management officials said on Sunday.

Sex Abuse Case Against Ex-Penn State Coach Jolts State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa - Criminal charges for sexually abusing boys filed against a longtime assistant to legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno jolted students, fans and alumni across Pennsylvania Sunday.

Protesters Circle White House In Oil Pipeline Row

WASHINGTON - Thousands of protesters opposed to a new oil pipeline from Canada to the United States circled the White House grounds on Sunday to press President Barack Obama to reject the project for environmental reasons.

Army Veteran Injured In Oakland Clashes With Police

SAN FRANCISCO - A former U.S. Army Ranger and Occupy Oakland protester was in intensive care on Friday after a veterans' group said he was beaten by police during clashes with anti-Wall Street demonstrators this week.

Pennsylvania Man Gets Jail For Paying Judges For Favors

SCRANTON, Pa - A Pennsylvania man who owned for-profit juvenile detention centers was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Friday for paying judges to send youths to his facilities in a so-called "kids for cash" scheme.

Green Candidate For Mayor Based In Occupy Tucson Tent

TUCSON, Ariz - There is no bank of telephones at Mary DeCamp's campaign headquarters, no volunteers eager to bring her message to the masses.

Washington Protesters Hit By Car, No Visible Injuries: Police

- Three activists protesting economic inequality were struck by a car and mildly injured late on Friday night as they attempted to block traffic near a gathering of conservatives in the nation's capital, police said on Saturday.

Oklahoma Shaken By 4.7 Magnitude Earthquake

- A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck about 45 miles east of Oklahoma City in the early morning hours on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Costco Pours Money Into Washington State Liquor Vote

SEATTLE - An initiative backed by Costco to allow supermarkets and warehouse stores to sell liquor in the state of Washington has shattered an election spending record, and a recent poll showed the measure may pass.

Frazier Severely Ill With Cancer, Says Manager

- Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, who earned boxing immortality after three epic fights with Muhammad Ali, is in hospice care with liver cancer, his manager said on Saturday.

Ron Paul Declared Winner Of Illinois Republican Straw Poll

CHICAGO - Ron Paul was declared the winner on Saturday of a weeklong Republican presidential straw poll in Democratic President Barack Obama's home state of Illinois.

5.6 Magnitude Oklahoma Quake Causes Some Damage

OKLAHOMA CITY - A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck in Oklahoma late on Saturday evening, the U.S. Geological Survey said, toppling a chimney, damaging buildings and sending a boulder the size of an SUV onto a rural road.

Ex-Penn State Assistant Coach Charged With Abuse

PHILADELPHIA - A longtime former assistant to celebrated Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno was charged with sexually abusing eight boys, a state prosecutor said on Saturday.