Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in New York subway

Golden Gate Bridge dropping human toll takers in early 2013

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Drivers using San Francisco's historic Golden Gate Bridge will finally see the anticipated change from human toll-takers to an all-electronic toll system in early 2013, officials said. The system will switch to electronic tolling in February instead of this month as previously announced, Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie said Tuesday. "It's where the industry is ...

Riders stuck 300 feet high after ride malfunction

BUENA PARK. (AP) - The Windseeker attraction at Southern California's Knott's Berry Farm has broken down, leaving about 20 riders who expected a three-minute thrill dangling 300 feet over the amusement park for nearly two hours. Buena Park police say the ride, which lifts fun-seekers high over the park with their legs dangling and spins them in a circle, broke down at ...

Coloradoan wins $7 million in popcorn lung lawsuit

DENVER (AP) - A suburban Denver man who was diagnosed with "popcorn lung," possibly from inhaling the artificial butter smell of the microwave popcorn he regularly ate, has won a $7.2 million verdict against various food companies. Wayne Watson's attorney, Ken McClain, said a federal jury granted the award Wednesday against Gilster-Mary Lee Corp., The Kroger Co. and Dillon Companies Inc. after ...

Prosecutor: Dad killed girl over toilet training

DETROIT (AP) - A Detroit man was so obsessed over toilet training that he fatally beat his 2-year-old daughter for having an accident, a prosecutor said Wednesday in an opening statement to jurors at the man's first-degree murder trial. D'Andre Lane also is charged with child abuse in the Dec. 2 disappearance of Bianca Jones, whose body has never been found. Lane ...

Bay Area briefs

SAN FRANCISCO MOVES TO PROVIDE GREEN POWER: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Supervisors have given initial approval to a five-year deal with Shell Energy North America that gives San Francisco residents the option of getting 100 percent of their power from renewable sources.

Bakersfield hockey team mocks opposing Stockton’s bankruptcy

BAKERSFIELD (AP) - A hockey game promotion poking fun at America's largest bankrupt city has caused a tiff between fans in the San Joaquin Valley. The Condors, a Bakersfield minor league hockey team, advertised its game against Stockton Thunder on Dec. 27 as "Our City Isn't Bankrupt Night." The team promised to ...

Obama boosted by upbeat housing reports, new polls in bid for 2nd term

FBI asked to keep data on anti-Sikh hate crimes

SD prison tobacco ban curbs religion rights

209 News

MODESTO OFFICIALS VOTE TO STOP WATER DEAL WITH SF: MODESTO (AP) - Modesto water officials are no longer negotiating with San Francisco to sell Tuolumne River water to the coastal city.

Nation news briefs

EGYPT TO TRY 7 COPTS, US PASTOR OVER PROPHET FILM: CAIRO (AP) - Egypt's general prosecutor issued arrest warrants Tuesday for seven Egyptian Coptic Christians and a Florida-based American pastor and referred them to trial on charges linked to an anti-Islam film that has sparked riots across the Muslim world.

Feds: NC sheriff and deputies targeted Latinos

18 immigrants sue US over entry program denials after investing $1M

LOS ANGELES (AP) - LOS ANGELES - Eighteen immigrants are suing the federal government, alleging they were wrongly denied entry into a program that grants legal residency to foreign entrepreneurs. Attorney Ira Kurzban said Tuesday that some of the plaintiffs he's representing had already been admitted to the I-526 program but their acceptances were revoked. According to U.S. ...

Jury hears LA-area chef say on tape he cooked wife

Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51

MOORE, Okla. (AP) - A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

Side Briefs

ANGRY MOB PELTS MAN THOUGHT TO BE SEX ATTACKER: DENVER (AP) - Residents angry that police had not warned them about sex assaults of children took matters into their own hands, chasing down a man they thought was the attacker, pelting him with rocks and leaving him with a bloody face in Colorado, authorities said Monday.

Volcano's ash prompts flight cancellations

Kentucky teen dies with dog lead on neck

Kentucky teen dies with dog lead on neck

Should wunderkinds drop out of high school?

Cardinal skips event over Irish PM's role

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit

1 SEAL dead, 7 sailors hurt in training accident

More time needed to indict Tsarnaev

Treasury told of IRS probe in June 2012

Marine, dog reunited in surprise ceremony at Iowa State Capitol

Navy pilot earns degree in combat zone

Dark clouds hang over air shows after budget cuts hit military services

Colorado sheriffs sue over gun rules

Alaska volcano shoots ash 15,000 feet into the air