Army says no to more tanks, but Congress insists on them

WASHINGTON (AP) - Built to dominate the enemy in combat, the Army's hulking Abrams tank is proving equally hard to beat in a budget battle.

Dozens of air shows cancel without military jets due to federal budget cuts

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Dozens of air shows that draw tens of thousands of people and generate millions of dollars for local economies have been cancelled this year after the military grounded its jet and demonstration teams because of automatic federal budget cuts.

A new front for gun background checks

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - After struggling to sway both state and federal lawmakers, proponents of expanding background checks for gun sales are now exploring whether they will have more success by taking the issue directly to voters.

Man charged in suspicious letters case

BRANDON, Miss. (AP) - The arrest of a 41-year-old Mississippi martial arts instructor in a case of poison-laced letters sent to President Barack Obama and others capped a week in which investigators initially zeroed in on a rival of James Everett Dutschke, then decided they had the wrong man.

So.Cal collector selling off 55,000 dresses, ballgowns

GARDENA (AP) - It was a sale fit for a princess on Saturday as a Southern California man put up for sale some of the 55,000 dresses and ballgowns in his collection.

Anthony Foxx in line for transportation post

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Monday will nominate Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx as his new transportation secretary, a White House official said Sunday.

Obama jokes about aging during 2nd term

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama joked Saturday that the years are catching up to him and he's not "the strapping young Muslim socialist" he used to be.

Police say 4 people stabbed at Albuquerque church

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Police say a 24-year-old man stabbed four people at a Catholic church in Albuquerque as a Sunday mass was nearing its end.

Methane report further divides fracking camps

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency has dramatically lowered its estimate of how much of a potent heat-trapping gas leaks during natural gas production, in a shift with major implications for a debate that has divided environmentalists: Does the recent boom in fracking help or hurt the fight against climate change?

NYPD whistle-blowers testify at stop-frisk trial

NEW YORK (AP) - After Officer Pedro Serrano decided to testify in federal court about what he sees as wrongdoing within the New York Police Department, a rat sticker appeared on his locker.

Nation news briefs

WIKILEAKS SUSPECT NAMED SF PRIDE PARADE MARSHAL: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The U.S. Army private charged in a massive leak of U.S. secrets to the WikiLeaks website has been named as a grand marshal of San Francisco's annual gay rights parade, a choice that was immediately condemned by several groups representing gay and lesbian service members.

Feds demand answers from psych hospital

ACLU seeks apology from school over transgender student prom king dispute

RED LION, Pa. (AP) - A central Pennsylvania school district should apologize for its treatment of a transgender teen running for prom king and make assurances that future candidates will be allowed to run for prom king or queen according to their gender identity, the American Civil Liberties Union said Friday. The organization said it wrote to Red Lion Area School District ...

Possible 9/11 plane landing gear part found in New York

Fired Oregon officer: Alcoholism is disability

Utah soccer league hiring security after ref hit

PVC pipes staking mine claims killing birds

Suspect died of gunshots, blunt trauma

Nation news briefs

WITHERSPOON PLEADS NO CONTEST, FINED AFTER ARREST: ATLANTA (AP) - Reese Witherspoon pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge and paid a $100 fine after berating a state trooper in Atlanta while her husband was given a sobriety test, an embarrassing exchange caught on a dashboard camera after the usually squeaky-clean Hollywood star had what she called "one too many" glasses ...

Trooper arrest investigated after YouTube post

No breakthrough yet in Texas explosion

Flag-covered spire hoisted to WTC roof

Pot magazines same as porn?

Suicide rate rose sharply among middle-aged

Man killed after firing shot at airport

Man killed

Judge OKs release of man charged with terror

Fresh off victory, NRA convention underway in Houston

Soccer referee in coma from player's punch

Nation news briefs

SAN DIEGO STUDENTS SUSPENDED FOR 'TWERKING' VIDEO: SAN DIEGO (AP) - Dozens of students at a San Diego high school have been suspended for making a suggestive "twerking" dance video.

J.C. Penney ad apologizes to retail customers