Romney calls Obama’s health care requirement a tax, echoes court view

WOLFEBORO, N.H. (AP) - Mitt Romney on Wednesday said requiring all Americans to buy health insurance amounts to a tax, contradicting a senior campaign adviser who days ago said the Republican presidential candidate viewed President Barack Obama's mandate as anything but a tax.

Many Americans have throwback Fourth without power as Midwest, East bake

MOUNT VERNON, Va. (AP) - George Washington never had air conditioning, but he knew how to keep cool: a mansion with lots of windows elevated on the banks of a wide, rolling river and lots of ice cream, maybe with a little brandy.

New tests revive debate over Arafat death

JERUSALEM (AP) - The discovery of traces of a radioactive agent on clothing reportedly worn by Yasser Arafat in his final days reignited a cauldron of conspiracy theories Wednesday about the mysterious death of the longtime Palestinian leader.

2 accidents raise storm, blackout toll to 26

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Mid-Atlantic region is struggling to get back to normal after deadly, power-cutting storms and sweltering heat.

Rain cools Colo. fires, other wildfires grow

DENVER (AP) - Rains cooled Colorado's wildfires Wednesday, but more than a dozen wildfires elsewhere in the West continued chewing through bone-dry pine and brush as firefighters working through the holiday kept a nervous eye for fireworks and other hazards.

To beer, or not to beer? ‘Can ban’ slows tourism

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (AP) - When it comes to new laws, Texas usually saves its bewilderment for ones from Washington. But this scorching summer, it's a single city ordinance on the popular Guadalupe River that is stirring frustration and confusion.

Nation news briefs

• SURVEY: NEXT PRESIDENT FACES HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT: WASHINGTON (AP) - A majority of economists in the latest Associated Press Economy Survey expect the national unemployment rate to stay above 6 percent - the upper bounds of what's considered healthy - for at least four more years.

Nation news briefs

JETBLUE PILOT NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY: AMARILLO, Texas (AP) - A federal judge in Texas found a JetBlue Airways pilot who left the cockpit during a flight and screamed about religion and terrorists not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday.

Andy Griffith, creator of Mayberry, dies at 86

Guns blamed for starting wildfires

Ohio try at 'personhood' amendment to say start of life at fertilization falls short

At July lull, presidential race is close as ever

Evidence of 'God particle' found

Fatal crash grounds key part of firefighting

Sex offender accused of attacking boy

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A man on parole for trying to infect children with HIV nearly twenty years ago pulled a boy into a Portland restaurant bathroom over the weekend, attempted to sexually assault him and then stabbed him several times, police said. The 10-year-old's injuries from the attack Sunday were severe enough to require surgery, and officers said he would have ...

DNA: Kidnapping suspect fathered girl

Prince Harry opens weeklong US visit

Dead Boston bombing suspect buried

Woman, parents admit roles in ex's slaying

Minn. approves gay marriage; would be 12th

Nation news briefs

TICKETS ON SALE FOR LADY LIBERTY'S JULY 4 OPENING: NEW YORK (AP) - The Statue of Liberty is reopening July 4 after Superstorm Sandy flooded the island where it stands.

Police not told FBI got Tsarnaev warning

NYC weighs allowing many immigrants to vote

Man didn’t die, sues and gets $60K

Calif. exchange granted secrecy

Ohio captive suffered 5 miscarriages

Nation news briefs

ARIZ. CLIMBER FOUND DEAD, COVERED WITH BEE STINGS: TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A Tucson climber was found dead, hanging from a southern Arizona cliff in his climbing gear and covered with bee stings.

High hospital bills go public, but will it help?

Appeals panel lauds Google book plans

Arias case likely far from over even after murder verdict