Judge halts part of human trafficking initiative

Gay-marriage backers end losing streak, look ahead to more change

NEW YORK (AP) - For years, foes of same-sex marriage had a potent talking point: They'd won every time the issue went to a popular vote. That winning streak has now been shattered in a multi-state electoral sweep by gay marriage supporters - a historic tipping point likely to influence other states and possibly even the Supreme Court.

Pot votes in 2 states challenge US drug war

DENVER (AP) - First came marijuana as medicine. Now comes legal pot for the people. Those who have argued for decades that legalizing and taxing weed would be better than a costly, failed U.S. drug war have their chance to prove it, as Colorado and Washington became the first states to allow pot for recreational use. While the measures earned support from broad swaths of the electorate in both states Tuesday, they are likely to ...

New storm bears down on battered NYC, NJ

Deer crashes through carpet store

CASTLE SHANNON, Pa. (AP) - This deer wasn't caught in the headlights. It was called on the carpet. A Pittsburgh-area carpeting store has been cleaning up after the wild animal smashed into the store and ran amok Tuesday. Jill Horvatic, an employee of Stout Carpeting in Castle Shannon, tells WPXI-TV that she hid while the animal ran around, ...

FBI help sought for finding 'Speed Freak' mass murder victims

STOCKTON (AP) - The sheriff of San Joaquin County plans to ask the FBI to take over the job of searching for and recovering the remains of victims linked to two serial murderers known as the Speed Freak Killers following criticism of his agency's handling of the delicate retrieval operation. Sheriff Steve Moore announced his intentions Tuesday after the mother of one ...

Powerful quake hits Guatemala, killing at least 48

Man who lost leg in crucifix mishap sues church

Re-elected, Obama heads back to divided government thanks to mixed voter verdict

FOUR MORE YEARS

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is sounding a conciliatory tone after his re-election Tuesday night victory, saying he has learned from those who supported him and those who opposed him. And he says he returns to Washington "more determined" and "more inspired."

No rest in final campaign hours for either Obama or Romney

Nation news briefs

FAT CAT 'SKINNY' DROPS WEIGHT, DOWN TO 37 POUNDS: DALLAS (AP) - An overweight stray cat found nearly two months ago in North Texas has slimmed down to 37 pounds but is still too fat to be adopted.

Where will housing be found for Sandy's superstorm victims?

NEW YORK (AP) - Government leaders are turning their attention to the next crisis unfolding in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy: finding housing for potentially tens of thousands of people left homeless.

National news briefs

2-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED AT PA. ZOO EXHIBIT: PITTSBURGH (AP) - A 2-year-old boy visiting the Pittsburgh zoo was killed Sunday morning when he fell off a railing that his mother had put him on top of to view a pack of African painted dogs, who pounced on the child and mauled him, police said.

Red Cross carries on despite storm-response flak

NEW YORK (AP) - It happened after the 9/11 terror attacks, after Hurricane Katrina and now, once again, after Superstorm Sandy: The American Red Cross takes flak for its response to a major disaster.

Lost Lincoln document found at college

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - In losing a president, Lycoming College found a piece of its history.

Erin Brockovich ia arrested while boating in Nevada

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Environmental activist Erin Brockovich, portrayed by Julia Roberts in a 2000 movie about her fight over the pollution of a California town, was arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated at Lake Mead near Las Vegas, authorities said Sunday.

Casino cocktail waitresses fight shoe rules

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (AP) - Cheryl Haase has been serving cocktails for more than two decades, and the 52-year-old waitress says she has a list of foot ailments to prove it.

Auto industry about to go on hiring spree

DETROIT (AP) - The auto industry is about to go on a hiring spree as car makers and parts suppliers race to find engineers, technicians and factory workers to build the next generation of vehicles.

Obama: Records sweep not targeting American citizens

IRS targeting: Was it limited to Cincinnati office?

Actress charged in Obama ricin threat

Boston hospital cleaning Egyptian mummy

Man killed in bear mauling in Alaska

Obama raises cybersecurity at summit

Charges dismissed in airport pressure cooker arrest case

DETROIT (AP) - Charges were dismissed Friday against a Saudi man arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after a pressure cooker was found in his bag, but he still has to leave the United States. The U.S. Attorney's Office said it has "conducted a thorough investigation" of 33-year-old Hussain Al Khawahir, who was arrested May 11 and charged with giving false statements to federal agents and possessing an altered passport. "We decided to dismiss the complaint ...

Nation news briefs

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TO BE CHARGED IN PA. COLLAPSE: PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A felon who was allegedly high while operating demolition equipment when a downtown building collapsed and killed six people will be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a top city official said Friday.

Swimmer and movie star Esther Williams dead at 91

Girl gets on lung donor list; boy also sues

Gay discrimination alleged over wedding cake