DNC kickoff protest lively but largely uneventful

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The kickoff protest ahead of the Democratic National Convention had the benefit of sunny skies, pent-up demand from demonstrators who were rained out in Florida and the perfect setting to decry the practices of big business.

Neb., SD wildfires grow with help of strong wind

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Wildfires in northwestern Nebraska tripled in size in less than 24 hours, as strong winds pushed flames through the rugged, rural terrain.

Homes cracking due to drought-parched soil

State news briefs

52M lottery winner learns of jackpot from TV FREMONT (AP) - A San Francisco Bay area man told by relatives that his picture was just shown on television was not wanted for a crime, but as the winner of a $52 million lottery jackpot. KGO-TV reported on Friday that Marita and Bladimir Agnite of Fremont didn't know they had the winning ticket until ...

Feds ending Wyoming wolf protections

Astronauts, family mourn humble hero Armstrong

Ex-Marine kills 2 co-workers, self inside closed New Jersey supermarket

Mixed legacy of George W. hovers over Tampa

Mixed legacy of George W. hovers over Tampa

Clint Eastwood’s pitch: Make his day by electing Mitt Romney's president

Romney makes his case: We 'need jobs, lots of jobs'

Odd News

98-YEAR-OLD MESSAGE IN BOTTLE SETS WORLD RECORD: LONDON (AP) - It was scooped up from the sea after 98 years, and now officials say a message in a bottle discovered in Scotland has set a world record.

Peanuts were thrown at black camerawoman at GOP meeting

Batman movie shooting suspect made call prior to deadly attack

Weakening Isaac hovers over water-logged Louisiana

Sikh temple victim remains in coma

Nation news briefs

NYC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADOPTS ALL-VEGETARIAN MENU: NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City elementary school has adopted an all-vegetarian menu, serving kids tofu wraps and veggie chili.

Legal tiff settled over Chicago parking meters

US assessing reported Syrian chemical use

Army amputee completes air assault school

Man arrested for letting son, 9, drive Ferrari

Pro-gun Native American billboard draws criticism

Nation news briefs

SOME LOSING JOBS AMID ALLEGED NEV. PATIENT DUMPING: CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Two staff members who violated discharge policies at a Las Vegas psychiatric hospital were fired Monday and three others are being disciplined following an investigation into busing patients to other states, the governor's office and agency officials said Monday.

Lawyer: Former ricin suspect's home is unlivable

1st female Iraq war resister to be court-martialed

Abortion trial stirs debate on when life ends

Boston suspect's defense team gets major boost

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.