All USA Update
Obama's 'try anything' bid to woo GOP moves from dinner to golf coursePresident Obama hit the golf course Monday with two Republican senators in an effort to build support for his second-term agenda. He has also had several dinners with GOP lawmakers.
Cleveland Volcano explosions put air travel on alert: Who could be affected?Cleveland Volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands sits under the flight corridor between North America and Asia, but so far, its new ash cloud is not big enough to ground planes.
Wildfire on California coast: On Day 2, more Santa Ana windsFire officials expect a southern California wildfire to spread Friday, fueled by continuing Santa Ana winds. They are resuming overflights to drop flame retardant, but urge area residents to be prepared to evacuate.
California law boosts confiscation of illegal guns: Model for other states?The California measure, signed into law Wednesday, authorizes $24 million to hire additional agents for a state program that takes away firearms from people prohibited from owning them.
Summit Fire in California 40 percent contained, but forecast causes concernThe so-called Summit Fire is one of at least 680 wildfires that state firefighters have responded to this year in California – 200 more than the average for the period. Conditions are dry, warm, and windy.
Ricin letters: What's the evidence against new suspect, per the FBI affidavit?James Everett Dutschke, accused of mailing three letters containing ricin, was arrested Saturday at his home. He is being held without bond until a preliminary hearing Thursday.
Top general: 5 bad habits for the Pentagon to fixThe Pentagon has not had to do any serious belt-tightening for years, and Gen. Martin Dempsey, the nation's top military officer, says some budget discipline could be beneficial.
Did Boston bombers have help? Investigators checking female DNA evidence.Boston bombing investigators reportedly have found female DNA evidence on one of the pressure cookers used in the attack, but there could be a number of explanations for that.
Obama adds cabinet diversity by picking Anthony Foxx for TransportationMoving to complete his second-term cabinet, Obama names the youthful mayor of Charlotte, N.C., Anthony Foxx, to the Transportation post. He would be the second African American in the cabinet.
In a first, black voter turnout surpassed white turnout in 2012High black voter turnout, plus a lower turnout from white voters, gave President Obama the edge in swing states and a victory in 2012, signaling the importance of minority voters going forward.
Bomb suspect Instagram account offers intriguing insightsBomb suspect Instagram account was deleted recently – unlike Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's other social media accounts. The bomb suspect also 'liked' an Instagram photo linked to Chechen terrorism.
Alan Wood dies, leaves legacy of Iwo Jima flagAlan Wood dies: The US Navy veteran brought a flag from Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Iwo Jima. Alan Wood later served as the Jet Propulsion Lab spokesman.
Flight delays coming to an end? House votes next on FAA furloughs.The Senate voted Thursday to let the FAA repurpose money so it can halt furloughs of 15,000 air traffic controllers and end flight delays, tweaking rules of the 'sequester.' The House votes on the bill Friday.
Sunil Tripathi body found; Brown student was misidentified in Boston bombingBased on photos from the Boston Marathon bombing, social media postings suggested Brown student Sunil Tripathi might be the suspect. Reddit apologized for the 'dangerous speculation.'
No foul play suspected in Alabama fuel barge explosionsOfficials see an accident, not foul play, in the explosions and fires that engulfed two fuel barges Wednesday night at river's edge in Mobile, Ala. They are waiting for the wreckage to cool to look for the cause of ignition.
Kermit Gosnell defense rests without calling any witnessesIn a Philadelphia courtroom Wednesday, Kermit Gosnell's attorney declined to call any witnesses. Gosnell is charged with murder in the deaths of infants during late-term abortion.
Ricin suspect released, as FBI shifts to new 'person of interest'Ricin suspect Paul Kevin Curtis said, after his release: 'I thought they said rice.' Curtis's attorney says her client was framed. Federal investigators are looking into potential enemies.
Why TSA delayed its new rules allowing knives on airplanesPressure from flight attendants and members of Congress prompts the Transportation Security Administration to delay new rules that would have let passengers carry small knives and some sporting equipment onto airplanes.
Ricin investigation uncovers little physical evidence, testifies FBIAuthorities acknowledge that they have found no traces of ricin or ricin-making materials in their search of the home and vehicle of Kevin Curtis, the Mississippi man charged with sending letters laced with the poison to President Obama and two other officials.
Home prices up 12 percent as investors bet on real estateThe US housing market, long the sluggard in the recovery, builds on its rebound, with prices of existing homes up 12 percent last month from a year ago. In a twist, many buyers aren't individuals but rather corporate investors.
