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.

Rivals stress differences and bipartisanship hopes as judgment day nears on Tuesday

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) - Two days from judgment by the voters, President Barack Obama raced through four far-flung battleground states on Sunday while Mitt Romney ventured into traditionally Democratic Pennsylvania, seeking a breakthrough in a close race he mused aloud he might lose.

Obama leads Romney in hunt for all-important electoral votes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - President Barack Obama enters the final hours of the 2012 campaign with an edge in the hunt for the 270 electoral votes needed to win and more ways to reach that magic number. Yet the race is remarkably close in at least six states that could go either way, giving Republican Mitt Romney hope that he can pull off a come-from-behind victory.

Officials counter reports on Benghazi attacks

NYC Marathon off, Miami player donates to relief effort

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City Marathon is off, and a marathon ride into the city prompted Dwyane Wade to help those still dealing with the horrendous aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

The fight for votes in Pennsylvania: Is it a pivotal state?

Iraq war contractor ordered to pay $85M

Battered by storm, Staten Islanders feel forgotten

Fuel shortage means gridlock in lines for gas

Pastor charged with killing fiancee's daughter

US officials: No delays in rescue effort in Libya

Storm-wracked states prepare for Election Day

Exasperation builds on in storm-stricken NYC

Odd News

POLICE CALLED FOR SHOT WOMAN FIND HALLOWEEN ZOMBIE: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Police in Alabama were called to what looked like a woman shot dead in her car but found a Halloween reveler they described as drunk and passed out in a bloody-looking zombie costume.

Odd News

Study: Even for drop-outs, college pays

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - It sounds like the worst of all worlds - borrowing money for college, then dropping out and facing the debt without a degree.

Nation news briefs

HOUSTON WOMAN CLAIMS SELF-DEFENSE IN HEEL STABBING: HOUSTON (AP) - Officials say a Houston woman accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death with a stiletto high heel told police she was trying to protect herself.

Free gun initiative begins in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) - Houston resident Cheryl Strain's inexperience with guns was apparent as she struggled to load shells into a 20-gauge shotgun.

Obama, Xi signal new start with walk in the desert

PALM SPRINGS (AP) - It may not have been Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev's Cold War walk by a frozen lake in Switzerland.

Stripped-down Harley roaring back

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Some motorcycle enthusiasts feared Keith Wandell might be the outsider who drove Harley-Davidson into the ground. Instead, he may be remembered as the guy who kept the motorcycle maker on the road.

After Sandy: Soaring flood insurance

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) - George Kasimos has almost finished repairing flood damage to his waterfront home, but his Superstorm Sandy nightmare is far from over.

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