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

'Onion Field' killer dies in California prison

Deputies: Florida woman & adult son stole $2M in toys from Toys R Us stores

JFK security is breached by man who swam ashore after jet ski ran out of fuel

Mayo Clinic: Jackson has bipolar disorder

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.

Is California realignment working?

SACRAMENTO (AP) - In response to a federal court order, Gov. Jerry Brown pushed a novel approach through the Legislature two years ago to dramatically reduce California's prison population.

Compassionate release buoys old inmates

NEW YORK (AP) - At age 88, John Rigas could be a poster child for inmates who might seek early release from prison because of the hazards of advanced aging.