Jimmy Carter, women out front

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Convention Watch shows you the 2012 political conventions through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. *CARTER'S WORDS: "He has done it all in the face of bitter, unyielding, in fact unprecedented partisan opposition." - former President Jimmy Carter, enumerating at the Democratic National Convention (on video, not in person) what he calls Barack Obama's victories in the past ...

Days after Isaac, thousands still in the dark

Convention eve: Obama consoles storm victims after political hard sell in Ohio

Online classes make it easy for non-Virginia gun owners to get concealed-carry gun permits

NJ man arrested in deadly attack on sleeping kids

Suicide bomber wounds 2 Americans

Odd News

MINN. CASINO COOKS UP RECORD 1-TON CHEESEBURGER: CARLTON, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota casino has cooked up a world-record bacon cheeseburger that's 10 feet in diameter and weighs more than a ton.

Teen opens mobile shower for grimy ND oil field workers

Teen sticks head out of party bus, killed by overpass

Strange but true news

POLICE: NH WOMAN ARRESTED 4 TIMES IN 26 HOURS: EPPING, N.H. (AP) - Authorities say a New Hampshire woman has been arrested four times in 26 hours for blasting the AC/DC song "Highway to Hell" and other loud music from her home and for throwing a frying pan.

Burning Man attendance stays well within BLM cap

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The Burning Man festival on the Nevada desert drew crowds well within the maximum attendance cap allowed by federal land managers, a year after its organizers were placed on probation for exceeding the limit.

Obama turns to technology during convention

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - When the Democratic Party's national convention opens this week, President Barack Obama's target audience won't be in the crowd. It will be the small sliver of undecided voters in battleground states who will be critical to the outcome of what the polls show is a tight race with two months to go.

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

Tests link deadly ricin to Obama letter suspect

Obama defends counterterrorism effort

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