Obama calls Oklahoma tornado's toll 'hard to comprehend'
MOORE, Oklahoma - Standing by a pile of debris that once was an elementary school, President Barack Obama on Sunday called the destruction last week's tornado wrought in Moore, Oklahoma, "hard to comprehend" and vowed to provide long-term federal help in rebuilding.
Oregon teen school bomb suspect had 'detailed checklist:' Police
- Authorities in northwestern Oregon said on Sunday that a teenager arrested for producing what authorities called explosives for a Columbine-style attack on his high school had meticulously planned his foiled bombing.
Texas makes teachers' pensions less reliant on markets
AUSTIN, Texas - Texas lawmakers passed sweeping changes to the state's $116 billion teacher pension system on Sunday, including the first cost-of-living increase in a dozen years and a new requirement that school districts pay part of the expense.
Body of third victim found in San Antonio flooding
SAN ANTONIO - A search-and-rescue team in a San Antonio suburb found the body on Sunday of an 18-year-old man who was washed away by Saturday's flash flood, raising the death toll to three.
Temporary fix for collapsed Washington bridge expected mid-June
OLYMPIA, Washington - A permanent replacement for the section of a Washington state freeway bridge that collapsed last week is expected in place by early autumn, and a temporary span could be up by mid-June, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee said on Sunday.
Kentucky policeman shot and killed in apparent highway ambush
- A Kentucky policeman was shot and killed in an apparent ambush when he stopped to pick up debris on a highway exit ramp, the Courier-Journal newspaper said on Sunday.
From baseballs to twine balls, rural America offers odd roadside attractions
MUSCOTAH, Kansas - The 176 residents of this fading Kansas town have high hopes for their old water tower.
Stars from worn U.S. flags used by New York group to honor military
TROY, New York - Stars cut from worn-out U.S. flags will be handed out on Memorial Day to men and women in the military and veterans as part of a campaign called Stars For Our Troops that recognizes service to country.
Four-star general in eye of U.S. cyber storm
WASHINGTON - Depending on your point of view, U.S. General Keith Alexander is either an Army four-star trying to stave off a cyber Pearl Harbor attack, or an overreaching spy chief who wants to eavesdrop on the private emails of every American.
Sexual assault is a 'scourge' on U.S. military: Hagel
- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called sexual assault a "scourge" on Saturday as he addressed graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where a sergeant stands accused of videotaping female cadets in the showers.
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.



