National news briefs

2-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED AT PA. ZOO EXHIBIT: PITTSBURGH (AP) - A 2-year-old boy visiting the Pittsburgh zoo was killed Sunday morning when he fell off a railing that his mother had put him on top of to view a pack of African painted dogs, who pounced on the child and mauled him, police said.

Red Cross carries on despite storm-response flak

NEW YORK (AP) - It happened after the 9/11 terror attacks, after Hurricane Katrina and now, once again, after Superstorm Sandy: The American Red Cross takes flak for its response to a major disaster.

Rivals stress differences and bipartisanship hopes as judgment day nears on Tuesday

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) - Two days from judgment by the voters, President Barack Obama raced through four far-flung battleground states on Sunday while Mitt Romney ventured into traditionally Democratic Pennsylvania, seeking a breakthrough in a close race he mused aloud he might lose.

Obama leads Romney in hunt for all-important electoral votes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - President Barack Obama enters the final hours of the 2012 campaign with an edge in the hunt for the 270 electoral votes needed to win and more ways to reach that magic number. Yet the race is remarkably close in at least six states that could go either way, giving Republican Mitt Romney hope that he can pull off a come-from-behind victory.

Officials counter reports on Benghazi attacks

NYC Marathon off, Miami player donates to relief effort

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City Marathon is off, and a marathon ride into the city prompted Dwyane Wade to help those still dealing with the horrendous aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

The fight for votes in Pennsylvania: Is it a pivotal state?

Iraq war contractor ordered to pay $85M

Battered by storm, Staten Islanders feel forgotten

Fuel shortage means gridlock in lines for gas

Pastor charged with killing fiancee's daughter

US officials: No delays in rescue effort in Libya

Storm-wracked states prepare for Election Day

Exasperation builds on in storm-stricken NYC

Odd News

POLICE CALLED FOR SHOT WOMAN FIND HALLOWEEN ZOMBIE: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Police in Alabama were called to what looked like a woman shot dead in her car but found a Halloween reveler they described as drunk and passed out in a bloody-looking zombie costume.

Medical pot laws & treats may send more kids to ER

CHICAGO (AP) - Increased use of medical marijuana may lead to more young children getting sick from accidentally eating food made with the drug, a Colorado study suggests.

Man charged with raping toddler is sex offender

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A man who has been charged with killing an elderly Alaska couple and raping their 2-year-old great-granddaughter is a registered sex offender convicted of breaking into a home and assaulting an 11-year-old girl four years ago.

Nation news briefs

• SURGING WILDFIRE FORCES EVACUATIONS IN CALIFORNIA: SANTA BARBARA (AP) - A surging wildfire has forced dozens of residents and Memorial Day campers to evacuate the mountains of Santa Barbara County in California.

Deal helping Valeant cash on increase in diabetes rate

NEW YORK (AP) -Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals said Monday that it will pay $8.7 billion to buy Bausch + Lomb, one of the world's best-known makers of contact lenses, in a massive expansion of Valeant's smaller ophthalmology business.

Coastal Commission imposes property ‘caps

SOLANA BEACH (AP) - Atop the ocean bluff are the homes of those fortunate to own a piece of land overlooking the dramatic California coastline. Down on the beach are the surfers, swimmers and beachcombers lucky for a sliver of sand that skirts caves and coves in this paradise north of San Diego.

NBC will air Shelton concert for victims of Okla. tornado

Furlough Friday: Unpaid day off for many in gov't

Trucker bumps I-5 bridge, sees horror behind him

Yahoo, pay-TV operators among Hulu bidders

Penn.. parents face murder charge in faith-healing death

Illinois judge faces heroin & gun charges

Lawsuit says defective lawnmower injures man

Rare Superman comic found in house insulation

Judge: Ariz. sheriff's office profiles Latinos during its immigration patrols