Millions look skyward as eclipse crosses US

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Millions in Asia and the western United States watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies early Monday.

Transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant loses

TORONTO (AP) - The first-ever transgender contestant to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant strutted the runway Saturday night, making it to the penultimate round before losing her bid to win the title.

Video depicts alleged abuse at school

Loretta Lynn married at 15, not 13

Nation news briefs

PROSECUTOR: PAIR SOLVED CRIME WITHOUT POLICE: FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A prosecutor said a Kentucky couple solved the mystery of who tried to steal their generator using Facebook and other sources of information - but not the police.

Obama stance adds fuel in marriage battlegrounds

Stabbed woman hits child with car, both dead

Ring of Fire’ solar eclipse visible from China to Texas on Sunday

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Sunrises and sunsets often dazzle, but they'll have a special ring to them in a few days for people in the western United States and eastern Asia: The moon will slide across the sun, blocking everything but a blazing halo of light.

House OKs continued war in Afghanistan

Kentucky weighed politics, medicine in whether to OK death row inmate's surgery

Documents: Trayvon Martin was shot through the heart at close range

Nation news briefs

CUBAN PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER GETS US VISA: HAVANA (AP) - Cuban first daughter Mariela Castro has been granted a U.S. visa to attend events in San Francisco and New York, sparking a firestorm of criticism from Cuban-American politicians who called her an enemy of democracy and a shill for the Communist government her family has led for decades.

Romney's April money suggests GOP rallying

Reno air race organizers get OK to continue

Nation news briefs

HOUSE OKS GOP'S ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN BILL: WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans set up a showdown Wednesday with the Senate and President Barack Obama over legislation to protect women from domestic violence, a fight that's become as much about female voters this election year as cracking down on abuse.

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

Nation news briefs

POLICE DEFEND OFFICER WHO SHOT NY COLLEGE STUDENT: MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - The president of a New York police union defended an officer who accidentally killed a Hofstra University student during a standoff with an armed intruder, saying Tuesday the only person responsible for the woman's death was the gunman who held her hostage.

IRS official to take the 5th at House hearing

Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51

MOORE, Okla. (AP) - A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

Side Briefs

ANGRY MOB PELTS MAN THOUGHT TO BE SEX ATTACKER: DENVER (AP) - Residents angry that police had not warned them about sex assaults of children took matters into their own hands, chasing down a man they thought was the attacker, pelting him with rocks and leaving him with a bloody face in Colorado, authorities said Monday.

Volcano's ash prompts flight cancellations

Kentucky teen dies with dog lead on neck

Kentucky teen dies with dog lead on neck

Should wunderkinds drop out of high school?

Cardinal skips event over Irish PM's role

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit