Weakening Isaac hovers over water-logged Louisiana

Sikh temple victim remains in coma

Colleges open their eyes: ZZZs are key to higher GPA, learning

NEW YORK (AP) - As college students return to campus in the coming weeks, they'll be showered in the usual handouts of coupons, condoms and credit cards. But some schools are also giving students what a growing body of research reveals could make a huge difference in their college careers: ear plugs, sleep shades and napping lessons.

Romney makes Mormonism part of his big night

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (AP) - After years of avoiding direct mention of his religion, Mitt Romney opened about his Mormon faith as he accepts the Republican nomination for president.

Ann Romney shares miscarriage, depression

Lennon killer wants to live with minister if freed

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The man who killed ex-Beatle John Lennon said in his most recent parole bid that he hoped to live and work with an upstate New York minister if released, according to a hearing transcript released Wednesday.

Ryan: Romney won't 'duck tough issues' on economy

Odd News

MAN HELD IN FIGHT OVER CHICKEN BAKED NOT FRIED: POINT MARION, Pa. (AP) - A southwestern Pennsylvania man has been jailed on charges he fought with his son and daughter-in-law after he was served chicken that was baked, when he wanted it fried.

California moves to give licenses to young illegal immigrant drivers

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California is moving to give driver's licenses to young immigrants who are in the country illegally but would no longer face deportation under a recently announced policy change by the Obama administration. AB2189 would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to accept as proof of legal residence whatever document the federal government provides to participants in its deferred action ...

Isaac steers clear of direct blow on New Orleans; days of rain ahead

Bill cracks down on 'party bus' drinking

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Operators of so-called "party buses" would bear legal responsibility for drinking by underage passengers under a bill that responds to several recent tragedies. AB45 would hold party bus operators to the same standards as limousine drivers. It requires them to have a chaperone to make sure underage passengers don't drink and makes them liable if passengers break the law. ...

Yahoo fires bureau chief for Romney/blacks remark

Houston man allegedly drove bulldozer into office

HOUSTON (AP) - An apparent disgruntled worker has been blamed for driving a bulldozer into a Houston auction house and causing $1.5 million in damage. Officials with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers are not sure why 52-year-old Lynn Benson of Houston was upset. The lot inspector operates the bulldozer as part of his regular duties. Nobody was hurt Monday night ...

Feds: NJ mail carrier distributed cocaine packages along her daily delivery route

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A mail carrier used her daily route to move cocaine shipments in falsely addressed packages on behalf of a drug trafficking organization based in Puerto Rico, federal authorities said Tuesday.

NY probes growing energy drink industry

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - High-octane energy drinks including 5-Hour Energy and Monster that promise healthy bursts of energy are getting pulled over in New York.

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.

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.