Microsoft, NBC dissolve MSNBC.com joint net news venture

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Microsoft is pulling out of the joint venture that owned MSNBC.com, freeing the world's largest software maker to build its own online news service.

Woman sues Justin Bieber, says concert harmed her hearing

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon woman has filed a $9.2 million lawsuit against pop star Justin Bieber, alleging she suffered permanent hearing loss at his Portland concert two years ago.

National news briefs

ALASKA TOWN: FELINE MAYOR IS THE CAT'S PAJAMAS: TALKEETNA, Alaska (AP) - The mayor of a sleepy Alaska town is feline fine.

Weather stops tandem lawn chair balloon flight

BEND, Ore. (AP) - Hours into their lawn-chair balloon flight, two men made a hard landing after they were hit by hail and snow as thunderstorms swept into central Oregon. But their back-yard aircraft floated away.

Obama says no apology to Romney over Bain attacks

WOLFEBORO, N.H. (AP) - Mitt Romney's campaign said Sunday that President Barack Obama is willing to say anything to win a second term and should say he's sorry for attacks on the Republican's successful career at a private equity firm. "No, we will not apologize," the president responded, adding that if Romney wants credit for his business leadership, he also needs to take responsibility.

Space workers struggle a year after last shuttle costs them their jobs

TITUSVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A year after NASA ended the three-decade-long U.S. space shuttle program, thousands of formerly well-paid engineers and other workers around the Kennedy Space Center are still struggling to find jobs to replace the careers that flourished when shuttles blasted off from the Florida "Space Coast."

Governors put off health care questions until after election

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) - Millions of uninsured people may have to wait until after Election Day to find out if and how they can get coverage through President Barack Obama's health care law.

Idaho farm hosts 'weed dating' for singles

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - For one night a year, a neighborhood farm in northwest Boise turns into a respite for singles who are tired of the same old dating scene.

Nation news briefs

SAN FERNANDO COUNCILWOMAN CHARGED IN BEATING OF EX: SAN FERNANDO (AP) - A San Fernando councilwoman has been charged with destroying a laptop computer and picture frame in a fight with a fellow councilman who resigned after their scandalous affair and an ugly breakup that resulted in mutual restraining orders.

Panel calls for annual PTSD screening

Four drug tunnels found along United States’Mexico border

DC chief: Reports differ on officer's 'threats'

NRA finds some GOP lawmakers resistant to gun laws

Judge upholds child support in Russian adoption

Senate rejects Dem, GOP business tax cut proposals

US launches drone from aircraft carrier

Drunk ASU student left at hospital with Post-it

Nation news briefs

HOLMES PROSECUTION LISTS 3,500 POTENTIAL WITNESSES: CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - Court documents say prosecutors in the Colorado theater shootings have listed about 3,500 potential witnesses they could call during the trial of defendant James Holmes.

Judge OKs class-action settlement over Skechers

Eat more insects; good for you, good for world

Abortion doctor guilty in 3 babies' deaths

Administrative Approvals Granted

Top IRS official didn't reveal tea party targeting

Builders bulldoze big Mayan pyramid

Detroit is broke; is bankruptcy next?

Ex-yeshiva teacher admits sex assault of New Jersey boy

2nd volcano this month is heating up in Alaska

New York AG wants to prevent Apple picking

Man traveling with pressure cooker arrested

Nation news briefs

VERMONT HOUSE PASSES AID-IN-DYING BILL: MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont House has approved a bill that would make it state the first in the country to legislate allowing physicians to provide lethal medication to terminally ill patients who request it.