Fort victims had different reasons for enlisting

By CARYN ROUSSEAU and ROBERT IMRIE

The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included a pregnant woman who was preparing to return home, a man who quit a furniture company job to join the military about a year ago, a newlywed who had served in Iraq and a wo…

Nov 07, 2009 | 10:45 am

Ida spurs tropical storm warnings in Caribbean

By FILADELFO ALEMAN

Tropical storm warnings were issued Saturday for parts of Mexico and Cuba as Ida rapidly gained strength over Caribbean waters, and the storm could start affecting the U.S. Gulf Coast by Tuesday.

Nov 07, 2009 | 10:35 am

George W. Bush visits Fort Hood, wounded soldiers

Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, have visited wounded soldiers and their families after the mass shooting at Fort Hood.

Nov 07, 2009 | 10:25 am

Man sought in police killing in serious condition

By MANUEL VALDES

A man shot by police as he was sought in connection with the Halloween killing of a Seattle police officer was in serious condition Saturday following hours of surgery.

Nov 07, 2009 | 10:20 am

Lawyer: Fla. office shooting suspect mentally ill

By MIKE SCHNEIDER and ANTONIO GONZALEZ

The engineer accused of fatally shooting one employee and wounding five others at the firm where he once worked is "very mentally ill" and crumbled under the stress of his divorce, bankruptcy and unemployment, his attorney said Saturday.

Nov 07, 2009 | 10:10 am

Colo. man who threatened Obama makes weapons plea

A man who threatened to kill Barack Obama last summer just before the Democratic National Convention in Denver has pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges.

Nov 07, 2009 | 9:50 am

Alabama county celebrates official Obama holiday

By BOB JOHNSON

The sign going on the front door at the Perry County courthouse reads: "Closed for the Obama Holiday."

Nov 07, 2009 | 9:50 am

Navy ship built with WTC steel to go into service

By VERENA DOBNIK

A military band played and sailors fired off cannons as the Navy began a ceremony to commission its newest assault ship forged with tons of steel from the World Trade Center.

Nov 07, 2009 | 9:45 am

Alaska island village hit by suspected swine flu

By RACHEL D'ORO

Suspected swine flu is sweeping a traditional Eskimo whaling village on a remote Alaska island _ prompting an urgent medical mission to deliver help.

Nov 07, 2009 | 9:05 am

Tropical storm warnings issued in Mexico, Cuba as Ida rapidly strengthens over Caribbean.

Nov 07, 2009 | 8:10 am

NJ jurors convict Fla. man in 'fat defense' trial

By DAVID PORTER

A jury convicted a Florida man Friday of murdering his former son-in-law, rejecting the man's defense that he was too fat to have run up and down a flight of stairs to commit the crime and make a quick getaway.

Nov 07, 2009 | 7:35 am

Gift card scandal could sink Baltimore mayor

By BEN NUCKOLS

The accusations that Mayor Sheila Dixon used holiday gift cards for the needy during personal shopping sprees may sound like a minor embarrassment at worst, a small-time case of a politician enjoying the perks of power.

Nov 07, 2009 | 6:45 am

Both sides set to vote on Philly transit contract

By PATRICK WALTERS

Members of Philadelphia's largest transit union and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority are set to vote on a contract to end the strike that has idled buses, subways and trolleys for five days.

Nov 07, 2009 | 4:20 am

Pa. locals, Flight 93 families united by history

By JENNIFER C. YATES

Esther Heymann was overflowing with grief for her stepdaughter. Standing in a blustery snow, overlooking the empty field where Flight 93 had crashed a couple of years earlier, she couldn't stop crying.

Nov 07, 2009 | 3:30 am

Ida returns to tropical storm strength

Ida has become a tropical storm again, with top winds of 45 mph (72 kph), as it swirls in the Caribbean on a track that could bring it to the U.S. Gulf Coast next week.

Nov 07, 2009 | 3:00 am

Ida has become a tropical storm again, with top winds of 45 mph, as it swirls in the Caribbean.

Nov 07, 2009 | 2:30 am

Obituaries in the news

Donald Baim

Nov 07, 2009 | 2:20 am

After immigrant killed in NY, others tell of abuse

By FRANK ELTMAN

The high school buddies who trolled the streets looking for Hispanics to attack called it "beaner hopping."

Nov 07, 2009 | 1:45 am

NY town marks year since immigrant fatally stabbed

By FRANK ELTMAN

The family of an Ecuadorean man slain on a Long Island street will be among those participating in a candlelight vigil and memorial service to mark the first anniversary of the killing.

Nov 07, 2009 | 1:30 am