Tornado insured losses estimated at $2 billion-$5 billion
- Tornadoes that struck the United States from May 18 to May 20 caused between $2 billion to $5 billion of insured losses, disaster modeling company Eqecat said late Thursday.
Truck crash may have caused Washington state bridge collapse
OLYMPIA, Washington - A truck crashed into a four-lane freeway bridge in Washington state Thursday evening and may have caused it to collapse, sending vehicles and drivers tumbling into a frigid river, officials said. | Video
Magnitude 5.7 quake strikes Northern California
- A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Boy Scouts of America votes to end century-old ban on gay scouts
GRAPEVINE, Texas - The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to lift a century-old ban on openly gay scouts in a major victory for gay rights activists, but the decision means a sea of change for an organization that depends heavily on faith-based groups. | Video
Obama in heated exchanges with Code Pink anti-war protester
WASHINGTON - The woman who interrupted President Barack Obama's speech on counterterrorism policy on Thursday is well-known around Washington as a perennial protester on national security issues.
Fear of art sale sparked by Detroit emergency manager asking for appraisal
DETROIT - As part of his efforts to solve Detroit's financial crisis, the city's emergency manager Kevyn Orr has asked for an appraisal of the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts, sparking fears in artistic and philanthropic circles that he means to auction off the city's artistic jewels.
Obama orders review of guidelines for probing journalists
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said on Thursday he directed Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct a review of Department of Justice guidelines for investigations that involve journalists and report back by early July.
Pentagon sees doubled cost for rocket launch program
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon on Thursday told Congress that a recent restructuring of its heavy rocket launch program to add 60 more launches and extend the schedule for a decade would more than double the program's projected cost to $70.7 billion.
Arizona jury fails to decide if Jodi Arias should be executed
PHOENIX - An Arizona jury failed on Thursday to reach a unanimous verdict on whether Jodi Arias should be put to death for the brutal murder of her ex-boyfriend, prompting the judge to set a date for a new sentencing phase of the trial.
Row between U.S. agencies over Texas plant explosion deepens
- A dispute between government agencies over the investigation into the deadly explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant intensified on Thursday when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives hit back after being criticized by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB).
McCain, Biden coming together for Sedona, Arizona forum
These days Washington is not known for bipartisanship, but every now and then a breakthrough is made. It is noteworthy that Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Senator John McCain, a Republican, are appearing together at a forum in Sedona, Arizona on Friday.



