Military budget deal unlikely by November

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he doesn't believe Congress can reach a deal before the November elections that avoids deep cuts in military spending, but says he is optimistic that the reductions won't occur. In interviews Monday with news outlets from regions with a large military presence, Obama said he has made sure that service members don't lose pay or ...

Humorist Phyllis Diller dies at age 95 in Los Angeles

Ex-Marine detained for evaluation after making strident Facebook posts

NorCal. fire forces thousands to flee as more than 3,000 homes threatened

REDDING - (AP) - Thousands of people were told to leave their homes Sunday as a growing wildfire burning out of control in thick forest threatened rural communities in far Northern California.

Man fights to keep wife buried in front yard on street near Alabama community’s downtown

STEVENSON, Ala. (AP) - James Davis is fighting to keep the remains of his late wife right where he dug her grave: In the front yard of his home, just a few feet from the porch.

Lawsuit over roads in Tahoe Forest in Sierra west of Reno

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A national group representing off-highway recreationists is suing the U.S. Forest Service to try to overturn a new travel management plan on national forest lands in the Sierra west of Reno they say is overly restrictive.

Nation news briefs

• 72 RESCUED WHEN SIGHTSEEING VESSEL TAKES ON WATER: ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Coast Guard says responders have rescued 72 people on a sightseeing vessel that began taking on water in Alaska's Glacier Bay after reportedly striking a rock.

Ryan paid a higher federal tax rate than Romney

Ryan paid a higher federal tax rate than Romney

Odd News

AIR FRANCE: OUT OF GAS? ASK PASSENGERS TO PITCH IN: PARIS (AP) - An emergency layover in Syria's capital was bad enough. Then passengers on Air France Flight 562 were asked to open their wallets to check if they had enough cash to pay for more fuel.

Forest Service now tries to tamp out every flame

Ex-teacher gets 5-year prison term for student sex

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A former North Texas high school teacher was convicted Friday and sentenced to five years in prison for having sex with five 18-year-old students at her home. The Tarrant County jury decided on the sentence for Brittni Nicole Colleps, 28, of Arlington after nearly three hours of deliberation. It took jurors less than an hour to find ...

Report accuses general of lavish travel, spending

Report accuses general of lavish travel, spending

Activists get 2 years for anti-Putin church stunt

Brazilian worker survives iron bar piercing his skull

For Ryan, physical fitness a lifelong endeavor

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