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 ...

Clinton trying to take heat off White House over criticism over security after fatal attack

LIMA, Peru (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is answering Republican criticism of the Obama administration's handling of last month's attack at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, saying she - not the White House - is responsible for security at all of America's diplomatic missions.

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

Teacher accused of taping student to chair

North Fla. county to allow atheist monument

McDonald's courts night owls with breakfast items

Jefferson Airplane drummer Joey Covington dies in crash

Whistleblowers say agency casts wide net

IRS: So sorry for lavish conference

Senate defeats college student loan plans

Nation news briefs

NC WOMAN'S SPIN ON 'PRICE IS RIGHT' LEADS TO PLEA: FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A U.S. Postal Service employee from eastern North Carolina who was seen spinning the Big Wheel on TV's "The Price is Right" even though she had said she could not deliver the mail has pleaded guilty to workers compensation fraud.