Odd news briefs

• Man makes amends for stealing plants in 1958: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - No matter how much digging investigators did, the crime remained open until a thief turned himself in and returned the fruits of his theft.

Mitt Romney’s ‘hijinks’ seen as bullying today

NEW YORK (AP) - When Mitt Romney was a good-looking teen in the buttoned-up '60s, corporal punishment was the norm and bullying had a different, more acceptable name: hijinks.

‘Girl Scouts under scrutiny from bishops

NEW YORK (AP) - Long a lightning rod for conservative criticism, the Girl Scouts of the USA are now facing their highest-level challenge yet: An official inquiry by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Nation news briefs

AUTHORITIES: KIDNAPPED GIRLS DIDN'T EAT FOR DAYS: GUNTOWN, Miss. (AP) - Hope was fading that two young sisters abducted from their Tennessee home would be found alive two weeks after they vanished: Their kidnapper had already killed their mother and sister, and he was armed with a pistol as officers closed in.

F-16 jets intercept small plane as Obama leaves LA

Young cancer patients' 'Stronger' video a big hit

New Jersey test asks third graders to reveal a secret

TRENTON (AP) - Some New Jersey parents are steamed about a question on a statewide standardized test this week that asked some third-graders to write about a secret and why it was hard to keep.

Gay marriage shift gives Obama campaign big fundraising boost

Kansas lawmakers pass anti-Islamic law measure

Nation news briefs

PHOENIX-AREA MAN HITS $1 MILLION JACKPOT SIX TIMES: PHOENIX (AP) - A suburban Phoenix man made a lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky guess in a recent multistate lottery game.

Police: Kidnap-slaying suspect slain; 2 girls OK

Romney denies targeting classmates for being gay

Young adults ignore skin-cancer warnings

Biden apologizes to Obama over comments

Nation news briefs

BACHMANN BECOMES A CITIZEN OF SWITZERLAND: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has been granted citizenship in Switzerland.

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

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