Nation news briefs

MILEY CYRUS, LIAM HEMSWORTH ARE ENGAGED: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - It turns out "The Last Song" was only the beginning for Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.

Teen guilty in texting-while-driving crash

HAVERHILL, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts teenager was sentenced Wednesday to spend a year in jail for a fatal traffic accident that happened while he was texting. Aaron Deveau of Haverhill was sentenced to 2 ½ years behind bars with a year to serve and the remainder suspended for the February 2011 crash that took the life ...

Lake Tahoe water level hits likely annual high

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The water level of Lake Tahoe hit what could be its high mark for the year after a dry winter and scant spring runoff. A spattering of rain and snow early in the week nudged it a bit, and the lake's level was measured Tuesday at 6,227.66 feet above sea level - the highest it's likely to get ...

Nation's unions lost big in the Wisconsin showdown over collective bargaining

Penn State-heavy jury picked in sexual-abuse case trial of former football coach

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - A jury dominated by people with Penn State loyalties was selected Wednesday to decide Jerry Sandusky's fate in the child sexual abuse scandal that rocked the university and led to football coach Joe Paterno's downfall.

New TV series awards bunker to winning survivalist on Spike network

New TV series awards bunker to winning survivalist on Spike network

Al-Qaida No. 2 dies in drone strike in Pakistan

First lady walks fine line on NYC drink proposal

NM court upholds gay discrimination ruling against photography business

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A professional photographer who refused to take pictures of a gay couple's commitment ceremony violated state anti-discrimination laws, the New Mexico Court of Appeals has ruled. The court on Thursday agreed with a previous ruling, in which a district court judge said the photo studio is considered public, similar to a restaurant or store, and cannot refuse service ...

Nation news briefs

LAPTOP SNAPS THIEF'S PHOTO, LEADING TO HIS ARREST: ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Open an app. See a flash. Get arrested.

Political independents outweigh partisans

CIA drone targets al-Qaida's No. 2

More against NYC ban on large sugary drinks

Black bear euthanized after eating Canada murderer

Man convicted of starving son, dumping body

Charges dropped in ricin letters sent to Obama

School district gets bulletproof whiteboards

New York City proposes raising age for cigarette purchases to age 21

Odd News

VIETNAM POLICE SEIZE 53 KING COBRAS FROM CAR: HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Vietnamese police say they have seized 53 king cobras from a car in Hanoi and arrested the driver.

Bill jeopardizes tax-free online shopping

Teen arrested in T-shirt flap back in class

Campbell ends touring career, to release new album

Flight delays pile up amid FAA cuts

Boston bombing suspect charged

Bomb suspect had 2 outbursts at mosque

Nation news briefs

NH KILLER APOLOGIZES TO MACHETE VICTIM'S FAMILY : MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - A man convicted of hacking a woman to death with a machete and maiming her daughter during a home invasion has ordered his lawyers not to argue for a reduced sentence, and said in a statement Monday that he doesn't deserve or expect forgiveness.