25 displaced as fire claims ND town

Judge rules for cheerleaders in Bible banner suit

Man held in NYC plot to blow up Federal Reserve

No suspects in 5 deaths at Denver bar

Meningitis outbreak deaths rise to 19

Violent crimes rose 18%t in 2011

Face to face: Obama, Romney in crackling debate for votes

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) - An aggressive President Barack Obama accused challenger Mitt Romney of peddling a "sketchy deal" to fix the U.S. economy and playing politics with the deadly terrorist attack in Libya in a Tuesday night debate crackling with energy and emotion just three weeks before the election.

Obama rebounds in debate while Romney holds his own

WASHINGTON (AP) - Fighting for his political life, President Barack Obama re-emerged in blistering form in an interruption-filled debate rematch, trying to diminish Mitt Romney's rising stature by accusing him of dishonesty and extremism.

What they said in 2nd debate

An aggressive President Barack Obama scrapped with Republican Mitt Romney over terrorism, jobs, immigration and women's issues in a feisty second presidential debate. A look at what they said:

Binders of women: How the 2nd presidential debate played online

Move over Big Bird, these binders are full of women. The offhand phrase from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Tuesday night was one of many topics that pinballed across social networks, as users instantly weighed in on moments from his debate with President Barack Obama. As with their first debate, for many users it was less about picking an instant winner and a loser and more about dissecting how the candidates relate to everyday ...

Earth-sized planet found just outside solar system

NY school's blackface assault skit criticized

Aerialist plans tightrope walk near Grand Canyon

SARASOTA, Florida (AP) - Aerialist Nik Wallenda says he's planning a tightrope walk near the Grand Canyon, but he won't be wearing a safety harness like he used at Niagara Falls. Wallenda told Sarasota Herald-Tribune Tuesday that he has signed a contract with an unnamed cable network to broadcast the roughly half-mile (0.8-kilometer) walk. In June, the 33-year-old ...

Social Security benefits get a 1.7 percent bump

Odd News

MICHIGAN 'BATMAN' SAYS HE HAS GOOD INTENTIONS: PETOSKEY, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan man whose efforts to keep an eye on his community while wearing a Batman outfit landed him in court said he has good intentions with his crime-fighting work. State troopers arrested Mark Wayne Williams, 33, on Sept. 29 because they said he refused to leave them alone while they searched for a driver ...

‘Hatchet hitchhiker' arrested in murder

Georgia governor in Bible dispute

Obama picks budget official to run IRS

Brady Campaign sues Georgia town over mandatory gun law they imposed

Nation news briefs

TEXAS SENIOR, 18, BAGS 800-POUND RECORD ALLIGATOR : HOUSTON (AP) - A Houston-area high school senior has bagged a 14-foot, 800 pound alligator - the heaviest ever certified in Texas - on his first alligator hunt.

Obama tries to regain control amid controversies

Petraeus email objected to Benghazi talking points

IRS head ousted over tea party targeting

Nation news briefs

ARMY GENERAL FACING SEX CHARGES HAD PORN ON LAPTOP; FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) - An expert in Afghan culture has testified that pornography found on the computer of a U.S. Army general then deployed to the Muslim country would be highly offensive to local residents.

Angelina Jolie has double mastectomy

SC amputee, 80, dies after being attacked by dogs

Man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by vehicle on Oregon highway

Abortion doctor agrees to life in prison

Tougher drunken driving threshold?

Simpson was dependent on main attorney