Yahoo! News: U.S. News

2 arrested in alleged torture of teen, who escaped (AP)

Posted: 03 Dec 2008 03:19 AM CST

AP - A Girl Scout leader and her husband were arrested after an emaciated, terrified and nearly naked 17-year-old showed up at a gym with a chain locked to his ankle, saying he had just fled his captors, authorities said Tuesday.

Hurricane Ike cleanup workers report wage theft (AP)

Posted: 03 Dec 2008 02:20 AM CST

AP - Reyna Martinez, a 30-year-old Honduran immigrant, wanted to help Texas recover from Hurricane Ike and earn a good wage at the same time.

Estranged relative charged in Hudson family deaths (AP)

Posted: 03 Dec 2008 02:47 AM CST

AP - Authorities believe the estranged brother-in-law of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson acted alone when he allegedly gunned down three of her family members more than a month ago in an apparent domestic dispute.

Study flunks 49 states in college affordability (AP)

Posted: 03 Dec 2008 03:08 AM CST

AP - An independent report on American higher education flunks all but one state when it comes to affordability an embarrassing verdict that is unlikely to improve as the economy contracts.

Sex abuse allegations against evangelist detailed (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 08:54 PM CST

AP - A federal indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses evangelist Tony Alamo of sexually abusing five girls on separate occasions beginning in 1994, including a period when he was serving a tax-evasion sentence at a halfway house in Texarkana.

FBI agents stage sting to snare corrupt Ill. cops (AP)

Posted: 03 Dec 2008 03:18 AM CST

AP - Duffel bags stuffed with cocaine were delivered by plane to an out-of-the-way suburban airport while two sheriff's officers provided security. A police officer stood by to guard the cash and keep out the riffraff at a poker game where $100,000 changed hands. And a drug dealer was told squad cars marked "sheriff" and "sheriff's police" might be available on a "freelance" basis to provide protection for his deliveries.

Simpson, co-defendant face 18 years at sentencing (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 09:35 PM CST

AP - State authorities are recommending that O.J. Simpson and a co-defendant be sentenced to 18 years in prison for the gunpoint robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers, according to documents filed Tuesday.

Confession introduced in NJ bank robbery trial (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 07:08 PM CST

AP - Testimony began Tuesday in the case against three men charged in a series of bank robberies including a botched attempt that led to the death of an FBI agent last year.

U.S. soldiers re-enlisting to avoid poor economy (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 05:12 PM CST

AP - Sgt. Ryan Nyhus spent 14 months patrolling the deadly streets of Baghdad, where five members of his platoon were shot and one died. As bad as that was, he would rather go back there than take his chances in this brutal job market.

Informant: Alleged plotters wanted sniper training (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 06:59 PM CST

AP - Jurors in the case of an alleged plot to attack Fort Dix heard recordings Tuesday in which some of the five defendants talked about buying weapons, sniper training and killing soldiers.

Rastafarian can sue over Jiffy Lube hair policy (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 05:48 PM CST

AP - A Rastafarian man who refused to shave off his beard or cut his hair to comply with a Jiffy Lube employee grooming policy can take his religious discrimination case to trial, Massachusetts' highest court ruled Tuesday.

Court orders new sentencing of bin Laden aide (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 02:52 PM CST

AP - A federal appeals court ordered a new sentencing Tuesday for a former top aide to Osama bin Laden, who was convicted of stabbing a guard in the face with a sharpened comb.

Univ. of Toledo official fired over column sues (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 04:05 PM CST

AP - The firing of a college administrator over her criticism of gay rights has sparked a debate about free speech and whether universities have the right to regulate what employees say outside of their jobs.

Dropped dental student bites back with $1.7M award (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 08:22 PM CST

AP - A federal jury awarded more than $1.7 million Tuesday to a former University of Michigan dental student who said she was illegally kicked out of school after she became ensnared in a feud between a dean and faculty members.

St. Louis alderman calls on residents to get armed (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 07:14 PM CST

AP - A city alderman frustrated with the police response to rising crime called Tuesday on residents to arm themselves to protect their lives and property.

Sen. Mel Martinez of Fla. won't seek re-election (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 04:28 PM CST

AP - U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who has struggled to boost public support because of his close ties to President George W. Bush, announced Tuesday he will not seek a second term in 2010, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

Suburban Ohio school district wants a bailout, too (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 03:47 PM CST

AP - A financially ailing Ohio school district has joined the ranks of banks and automakers clamoring for a portion of the $700 billion economic bailout package.

US automakers ground jets for trip to Washington (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 06:36 PM CST

AP - If the Detroit Three automakers have learned anything since their last trip to Washington, it's that the old way of doing business just won't fly.

Kosher meatpacker wins money to reopen Iowa plant (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 05:37 PM CST

AP - A bankruptcy court in New York has approved funding that will allow the reopening of a kosher meatpacking plant in Iowa that was the site of one of the nation's largest immigration raids.

Barbara Bush discharged from hospital (AP)

Posted: 02 Dec 2008 01:51 PM CST

AP - Former first lady Barbara Bush was released from a hospital Tuesday, a week after she underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer.