Odd news briefs

• Man makes amends for stealing plants in 1958: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - No matter how much digging investigators did, the crime remained open until a thief turned himself in and returned the fruits of his theft.

Mitt Romney’s ‘hijinks’ seen as bullying today

NEW YORK (AP) - When Mitt Romney was a good-looking teen in the buttoned-up '60s, corporal punishment was the norm and bullying had a different, more acceptable name: hijinks.

‘Girl Scouts under scrutiny from bishops

NEW YORK (AP) - Long a lightning rod for conservative criticism, the Girl Scouts of the USA are now facing their highest-level challenge yet: An official inquiry by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Nation news briefs

AUTHORITIES: KIDNAPPED GIRLS DIDN'T EAT FOR DAYS: GUNTOWN, Miss. (AP) - Hope was fading that two young sisters abducted from their Tennessee home would be found alive two weeks after they vanished: Their kidnapper had already killed their mother and sister, and he was armed with a pistol as officers closed in.

F-16 jets intercept small plane as Obama leaves LA

Young cancer patients' 'Stronger' video a big hit

New Jersey test asks third graders to reveal a secret

TRENTON (AP) - Some New Jersey parents are steamed about a question on a statewide standardized test this week that asked some third-graders to write about a secret and why it was hard to keep.

Gay marriage shift gives Obama campaign big fundraising boost

Kansas lawmakers pass anti-Islamic law measure

Nation news briefs

PHOENIX-AREA MAN HITS $1 MILLION JACKPOT SIX TIMES: PHOENIX (AP) - A suburban Phoenix man made a lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky guess in a recent multistate lottery game.

Police: Kidnap-slaying suspect slain; 2 girls OK

Romney denies targeting classmates for being gay

Young adults ignore skin-cancer warnings

Biden apologizes to Obama over comments

Nation news briefs

BACHMANN BECOMES A CITIZEN OF SWITZERLAND: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has been granted citizenship in Switzerland.

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