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Nation news briefs
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AT&T DROPS LEGAL FIGHT OVER MASS. MAN'S $1M BILL: IPSWICH, Mass. (AP) — AT&T Inc. says it's dropping its legal fight against a Massachusetts businessman whose company was on the hook for a fraudulent million-dollar phone bill.

The telecommunications company said in a statement Monday it is no longer pursuing its claims against Michael Smith of Ipswich, "though we are entitled by law to collect the amounts owed."

Smith said the offer depends on his dropping a countersuit. He'll meet with his attorney about it on Tuesday.

Smith says someone hacked into his small manufacturing company's phone system in 2009 and made nearly $900,000 in calls to Somalia. AT&T sued Smith for $1.15 million to recover the cost of the calls plus interest.

Smith told The Salem News he repeatedly asked AT&T to write off the bill. He said paying it could force his business to close.

TRUCK DRIVER CHARGED IN DEATHS OF 2 BOYS IN TENT: BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota man is charged with manslaughter after two young brothers from Texas died when authorities say he lost control of his speeding pickup truck and drove over their tent at a campground.

Bottineau County prosecutor Swain Benson says 30-year-old Juan Acosta also is charged with reckless endangerment, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and drunken driving.

The Newburg man was arrested after the Sunday crash and is expected to appear in court Tuesday. Benson didn't immediately know if he has an attorney. There was no answer Monday evening at a phone listing for Acosta.

The crash killed 5-year-old Alaries Ruiz and his 9-year-old brother, Cyris. Their 28-year-old father suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. A 9-year-old friend of the boys' also has minor injuries.

WOULD-BE BURGLAR GETS TANGLED IN WINDOW BLINDS: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police say a would-be burglar was halted by unlikely obstacles — window blinds.

Police found Thomas Molina on Sunday tangled in some window blinds at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque after police received a call about a break-in.

Police say the 38-year-old Molina told police he was looking for computer hardware.

Molina was arrested and charged with burglary and breaking and entering. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.

NUGENT DRUMMER CHARGED WITH GOLF CART THEFT, DUI: BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A drummer for classic rocker Ted Nugent faces several charges after police in Bangor, Maine, say he was seen driving drunk in a golf cart stolen from a concert venue.

Officers working at Nugent's Sunday night concert were told that 55-year-old Mick Brown was intoxicated, had stolen the cart and was driving it recklessly on a foot path. Police say when officers tried to stop the cart, Brown sped past them and shoved a security officer. Two security officers then removed Brown from the cart, and he was arrested.

Brown, of Cave Creek, Ariz., was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger, theft and assault.

ROMNEY RAISES MORE THAN $106 MILLION IN JUNE: GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee say they raised more than $106 million last month.

Romney's campaign on Monday said the likely GOP nominee and his party have about $160 million in cash to spend on campaign efforts. His campaign says he raised $106.1 million in June. About $22.3 million was in small donations of $250 or less, the campaign says.

President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have not yet released their June fundraising totals. Romney out-raised his opponent in May, bringing in $70.6 million to the Democrats' $60 million.

Romney spent the weekend fundraising in the wealthy Hamptons in New York and planned a fundraiser Monday in Aspen, Colo.

POLICE: EX ATTACKS WOMEN AT SON'S PA. PIZZA PARTY: MONROEVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A Pittsburgh woman has been jailed on charges she attacked her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend and other women with a knife and a brick at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant during a party for her son.

Monroeville police say 20-year-old Lynaa Eva Dobbins attacked four female guests at the restaurant about 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Investigators say Dobbins was apparently upset that her son's father had a new girlfriend at the party. Police say Dobbins cut one woman's ear with a knife and hit another with a brick. She's also accused of hitting two other women in the brawl that ensued.

She faces a July 17 preliminary hearing on aggravated assault and other charges, including stalking her ex-boyfriend.