Nation news briefs

HEAT AND SMOKE MAKE THINGS MISERABLE IN SACRAMENTO: SACRAMENTO (AP) - Sweltering heat and a blanket of smoke from California wildfires are making it a miserable week for Sacramento residents.

Romney seeks to undercut Obama's likability lead; says president seething with animosity

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Thousands line up for right to work legally

Drug charges dropped in part because of too much evidence against fugitive doctor

Sept. 11 memorial defends display of steel cross

House members’ VIP loans excluded from subpoenas served on Countrywide

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Democratic committee chairman overrode his own subpoena three years ago in an investigation of former subprime mortgage lender Countrywide to exclude records showing that he, other House members and congressional aides got VIP discounted loans from the company, documents show.

School board member to stand trial for pimping

RIVERSIDE (AP) - A Riverside County school board member must stand trial on charges of rape, pimping, pandering and attempted manslaughter.

Camden paying $500K to settle suit with students

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) - The Camden Board of Education has agreed to pay $500,000 to seven students who were made to eat their lunch on the floor as punishment.

Ron Palillo, of 'Welcome Back, Kotter,' dies at 63

DHS launches new program for young who want to work legally

Debate joined on Medicare as both Romney, Obama attack each other

Odd News

MAN LATE FOR COURT CLOCKED DOING 119 MPH IN INDIANA: EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Indiana State Police say a motorist late for an Evansville court appearance was clocked doing 119 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Scrabble player caught cheating at national event

Officer, gunman among 3 killed in Texas

Charlotte welcomes Democrats and national coverage

YouTube sensation: Philadelphia bicyclist has a cat is his co-pilot

NYPD: Merchant held for ransom, tortured for month

Obama lifts ban on Guantanamo transfers

Boy or Girl?' Gender new challenge for schools

Odd News

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSTAIN FROM VOTE ON ABSTAINING: YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) - Three members of a Michigan city council have abstained from voting on a measure that would have prevented them from abstaining on future votes.

Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty; retrial set

Man shot to death while questioned in Boston probe

Damage: Thousands of homes, $1.5-$2B

50 hurt when Indiana school buses crash

Side Briefs

NEARLY ALL US STATES SEE HEFTY DROP IN TEEN BIRTHS: NEW YORK (AP) - The nation's record-low teen birth rate stems from robust declines in nearly every state, but most dramatically in several Mountain States and among Hispanics, according to a new government report.

Broke no laws, IRS official says, then takes 5th

Tornado death toll lowered to 24

Gay Fla. teen charged for her underage girlfriend

Pentagon wants $450M for Guantanamo

Texas judge: Lesbian couple can't cohabitate