2 accidents raise storm, blackout toll to 26

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Mid-Atlantic region is struggling to get back to normal after deadly, power-cutting storms and sweltering heat.

Rain cools Colo. fires, other wildfires grow

DENVER (AP) - Rains cooled Colorado's wildfires Wednesday, but more than a dozen wildfires elsewhere in the West continued chewing through bone-dry pine and brush as firefighters working through the holiday kept a nervous eye for fireworks and other hazards.

To beer, or not to beer? ‘Can ban’ slows tourism

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (AP) - When it comes to new laws, Texas usually saves its bewilderment for ones from Washington. But this scorching summer, it's a single city ordinance on the popular Guadalupe River that is stirring frustration and confusion.

Nation news briefs

• SURVEY: NEXT PRESIDENT FACES HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT: WASHINGTON (AP) - A majority of economists in the latest Associated Press Economy Survey expect the national unemployment rate to stay above 6 percent - the upper bounds of what's considered healthy - for at least four more years.

Nation news briefs

JETBLUE PILOT NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY: AMARILLO, Texas (AP) - A federal judge in Texas found a JetBlue Airways pilot who left the cockpit during a flight and screamed about religion and terrorists not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday.

Andy Griffith, creator of Mayberry, dies at 86

Guns blamed for starting wildfires

Ohio try at 'personhood' amendment to say start of life at fertilization falls short

At July lull, presidential race is close as ever

Evidence of 'God particle' found

Fatal crash grounds key part of firefighting

Sex offender accused of attacking boy

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A man on parole for trying to infect children with HIV nearly twenty years ago pulled a boy into a Portland restaurant bathroom over the weekend, attempted to sexually assault him and then stabbed him several times, police said. The 10-year-old's injuries from the attack Sunday were severe enough to require surgery, and officers said he would have ...

Nation news briefs

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, MAYOR SWORN IN FROM HAWAII: ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Anchorage residents were met with overcast skies Monday as their mayor took the oath of office - not in Alaska - but in sunny Honolulu, where it was warm, with classic Hawaii temperatures of 80 degrees.

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PA. HIGH SCHOOL PUTS ITSELF UP FOR SALE ON EBAY: LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) - Forget magazine drives and candy sales. A cash-strapped high school near Philadelphia hopes to raise money by auctioning itself on eBay.

At July lull, presidential race is close as ever

Country singer charged with threats to Ga. man

GOP puts off its health care bill

Boston bomb investigation extends to Russia; terror list had one brother

Government reviewing prison phone charges

Texas plant blast loss likely exceeds $100M

Mississippi men's feud looms over ricin probe

Obama administration missed Fisker clues

White House open to fix on FAA furloughs

Brown pushing school-funding changes

Nation news briefs

LAW ENFORCERS: NYC-CANADA TRAIN WAS TARGET OF PLOT: NEW YORK (AP) - Two law enforcement officials say the target of a potential cross-border terror attack was a train that runs between New York City and Canada.

Justice: Armstrong was 'unjustly enriched'

3 murder charges against abortion doc tossed

Mormon bishop with Samurai sword runs off attacker

Napolitano: Immigration bill would boost security

More evidence gathered in bombing