Storms bring heat relief, power misery

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Another day of severe storms knocked out electricity for tens of thousands of additional residents, but brought along a cold front that was welcome relief for those waiting for power to be restored.

Elephant at Tennessee sanctuary kills handler

HOHENWALD, Tennessee (AP) -- An elephant with a reputation for being dangerous killed a handler and injured a trainer Friday at The Elephant Sanctuary in southern Tennessee, authorities said.

Jury: No punishment for ex-Naval Academy QB

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A military jury recommended no punishment Friday for former U.S. Naval Academy quarterback Lamar S. Owens Jr., who was acquitted of a rape charge but convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and disobeying a lawful order.

8 stabbed at grocery store, co-worker arrested

ARLINGTON, Tennessee (AP) -- Police say a grocery store employee stabbed eight co-workers Friday morning, critically injuring four before a witness tackled him.

Teacher under fire for his Cheney-9/11 theory

MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) -- More than 60 state lawmakers are urging the University of Wisconsin-Madison to fire an instructor who has argued that the U.S. government orchestrated the September 11 terrorist attacks.

National Guard snatches citizens out of 100° heat

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- National Guard members fanned out through darkened city streets, clearing debris and looking for residents who needed help evacuating their sweltering homes after storms knocked out power during a deadly heat wave.

'Outrageous' blackouts darken, roast New York

NEW YORK (AP) -- A mysterious electrical problem blamed for subway delays, flight cancellations and power outages on the hottest days of the year persisted for a fifth day Friday, leaving 2,500 customers without power.

Prosecutors fight 'gay panic' defenses

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- Prosecutors said Thursday they want to limit the use of "gay panic" defenses -- where defendants claim their crimes were justified because of fear or anger over their victims' sexual orientation.

TS Beryl makes Nantucket landfall

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- Steady rain began to batter Nantucket early Friday as Tropical Storm Beryl approached coastal Massachusetts.

Man gets 30 years for helping al Qaeda

NEW YORK (AP) -- A Pakistani man convicted of agreeing to help an al Qaeda operative with terrorist plans sneak into the United States was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison.

Shacking up gets judge's approval

RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) -- A state judge has ruled that North Carolina's 201-year-old law barring unmarried couples from living together is unconstitutional.

Stranded family's Beirut nightmare over

(CNN) -- An American couple and their children, stranded in Beirut for more than a week, boarded the USS Nashville on Thursday to start home, their relief mixed with sadness over the plight of a city they love.

Siblings defend doctor charged in hospital deaths

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- The siblings of a doctor accused in an affidavit of murdering four patients in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have come publicly to her defense.

St. Louis pounded by storms

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Powerful storms left nearly half a million homes and businesses without power early Thursday with the region expecting another day of 100-degree heat.

Kate Hudson wins 'skinny' lawsuit

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Actress Kate Hudson accepted libel damages on Thursday from a magazine that printed a photo making her look too skinny, alongside an article that said her movie star mother Goldie Hawn wanted her to eat more.

Haley Joel Osment in car crash

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, California (AP) -- Actor Haley Joel Osment was hospitalized early Thursday after he apparently lost control of his car while heading to his Los Angeles-area home, authorities said.

Massachusetts waits for Tropical Storm Beryl

KILL DEVIL HILLS, North Carolina (AP) -- A tropical storm warning was issued Thursday morning for southeastern Massachusetts as forecasters said Tropical Storm Beryl was expected to gain speed over the next day.

No relief for South, Southern Plains

TULSA, Oklahoma (AP) -- Officials in several states urged residents, especially the elderly, to stay cool as forecasters predicted high temperatures would continue in parts of the South and the Southern Plains for another two days.

Wildfire contained; are mudslides next?

YUCCA VALLEY, California (AP) -- Firefighters were finally able to contain a nearly 100-square-mile blaze in the desert and rugged San Bernardino National Forest, but on Wednesday with rain in the forecast there was a new fear: mudslides.

Beryl heads for New England

KILL DEVIL HILLS, North Carolina (AP) -- Tropical Storm Beryl gained strength Wednesday as it pulled away from the North Carolina coast and headed toward New England.