FBI says Alaska man killed for fun

$2 billion price tag for presidential election

WASHINGTON (AP) - The 2012 presidential election broke the $2 billion milestone in its final weeks, becoming the most expensive in American political history, according to final federal finance reports released Thursday. The reports detailed a last-minute cascade of money from mega-donors and an onslaught of spending by the Obama and Romney campaigns and "super" political action committees.

Man pleads guilty in Seattle terror plot

SEATTLE (AP) - A man pleaded guilty Thursday to plotting an attack on a Seattle military complex with machine guns and grenades.

For Washington state, marijuana is now legal but what happens next?

SEATTLE (AP) - People openly lit joints under the Space Needle and on Seattle's sidewalks - then blew the smoke at TV news cameras. To those looking to "get baked," the city's police department suggested pizza and a "Lord of the Rings" movie marathon.

Death toll now at 420 people in Philippines typhon

Obama seeks to put personal touch on cliff talks

Leading conservative DeMint resigning Senate seat

Odd News

MAINE MALL SACKS SANTA AFTER RUDENESS COMPLAINTS: SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A mall in Maine has sacked Santa Claus after children and parents complained he was rude, grumpy and wouldn't even let one child sit on his lap.

George Zimmerman sues NBC and reporters

Nation news briefs

AUTOPSY: BORDER PATROL AGENT FIRED GUN 10 TIMES: SAN DIEGO (AP) - A Border Patrol agent in Southern California who shot and killed a mother of five after she hit him with her vehicle fired his gun 10 times from the hood of her car as he tried to get the woman to stop, according to an autopsy report released Thursday.

Pearl Harbor survivor helps identify unknown dead buried in Punchbowl

Snooki, hosting MTV's New Year's Eve show

LOS ANGELES (AP) - New York's Times Square is getting a little bit Jersey for New Year's Eve. MTV says "Jersey Shore" stars Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWOWW" Farley and comedian Jeff Dye will host the network's live New Year's Eve special from Times Square. "MTV's Club NYE 2013" will also feature performances from Ke$ha, Ne-Yo, Sean ...

Gay Washington couples get marriage licenses

Mormon church seeking more compassion for gays

At 450 pounds, killer fights execution

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - At about 450 pounds, Ohio death row inmate Ronald Post is so fat that his executioners won't be able to find veins in his arms or legs for the lethal injection, and he might even break the death chamber gurney, his lawyers say.

Student opens fire, kills teacher & himself

SPARKS, Nev. (AP) - A student at a Nevada middle school opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun on campus just before the starting bell Monday, wounding two 12-year-old boys and killing a math teacher who was trying to protect children from their classmate.

Obama: 'No excuse' for health care website signup problems

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Monday offered "no excuses" - and little explanation - for the computer bugs still frustrating Americans who are trying to enroll online for insurance plans at the center of his health care law. But software developers tasked with building the site said they saw signs a year ago that the debut could fail. <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; ...

Carbon dioxide pollution down 3.8%

News from around the nation

MAN CALLS COPS FOR THEFT FROM PA. WORKERS' FRIDGE : BREINIGSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - If you ever had your lunch disappear from the office refrigerator, consider what one southeastern Pennsylvania man did: He called the cops.

For Obama, a frustrating health care rollout

WASHINGTON (AP) - Last week, President Barack Obama gathered some of his top advisers in the Oval Office to discuss the problem-plagued rollout of his health care legislation. He told his team the administration had to own up to the fact that there were no excuses for not having the health care website ready to operate on Day One.

Death threats over rock toppling

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Two Utah Boy Scout leaders who purposely knocked over an ancient desert rock formation in a state park say they've received death threats since a video of the toppling went viral.

Largest destroyer going into water

BATH, Maine (AP) - After embarrassing troubles with its latest class of surface warships, the Navy is hoping for a winner from a new destroyer that's ready to go into the water.

Teacher’s aide tapes mouth of autistic student

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A high school teacher's aide in New Mexico is back from administrative leave following an investigation into her taping the mouth of a special needs student.

Worker saw woman prone in hospital stairwell

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Investigators looking into the death of a woman found in a stairwell at San Francisco General Hospital are looking into reports that an orderly told hospital authorities that he saw an unconscious woman there a week before her body was found.

Man pleads guilty to shooting golfer who hit his home

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A Nevada man accused of shooting a golfer who broke a window at his home with an errant ball has pleaded guilty to a felony charge.

Bacteria found in breast milk sold on Internet

CHICAGO (AP) - Human breast milk is sold for babies on several online sites for a few dollars an ounce, but a new study says buyer beware: Testing showed it can contain potentially dangerous bacteria including salmonella.

Charges possible for toppled ancient Utah desert rock

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Authorities are mulling whether to press charges against a Boy Scouts leader who purposely knocked over an ancient Utah desert rock formation and against the two men who cheered him on after they posted video of the incident online.

Suspect in deadly bank robbery has long rap sheet

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The suspect in a deadly Reno bank robbery has a lengthy criminal record with 62 arrests dating back to 1967 and five felony convictions, federal prosecutors said. U.S. Magistrate Valerie Cooke ordered that Van McDuffie, 66, be detained without bail after hearing about his criminal history during an initial court appearance Thursday. He has been charged with bank robbery with use of a dangerous weapon causing death after fleeing a Bank ...

Plane laser attacks probed by terrorism unit

NEW YORK (AP) - The FBI announced Friday it has assigned its Joint Terrorism Task Force to lead a probe of laser attacks on the cockpits of two planes approaching LaGuardia Airport this week, inviting help from the public as well to fight a growing threat against the nation's air transportation.

Artist Christo faces opposition to project

DENVER (AP) - Installation artist Christo has said opposition to his planned "Over the River" project on the Arkansas River in Colorado is part of the art, and he welcomes debate over what is appropriate for his displays. Christo is fighting to string about 6 miles of fabric over sections on a 42-mile stretch of the river. The team hopes to start construction next year and open the exhibit in 2015 for two weeks before ...