U.S. to send 11,000 troops to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon announced Wednesday that a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will deploy to Afghanistan late this year as part of the next rotation of forces.

Mel Gibson charged with DUI

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Mel Gibson was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor drunken driving, as well as driving with an elevated blood alcohol level and an open container of alcohol in his car, prosecutors said.

Woman, grandson die in Illinois house blast

CARLINVILLE, Illinois (AP) -- A powerful explosion destroyed a house early Wednesday in the south-central Illinois town of Carlinville, killing a woman and her grandson and injuring three other people, officials said.

Accused Marine to sue Murtha, attorneys say

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Marine staff sergeant linked to the killings of civilians in Haditha, Iraq, is suing anti-war Congressman John Murtha for libel, his attorneys announced Wednesday.

Whole lotta shakin' going on in Ohio

MENTOR, Ohio (AP) -- A corner of suburban Cleveland has become the earthquake capital of Ohio, shaking on average every two weeks since New Year's Day and making people wonder: What's next?

East bathes in lots of sweat, some tears

NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- Commuters sweated on their way to work Wednesday as the temperature and humidity started climbing back up to heat wave levels after a night of little relief.

Atlantis rolls out to launch pad

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis was hauled to the launch pad early Wednesday, a major step toward a mission to resume construction of the international space station for the first time in three years.

Evolution opponents suffer setback

TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) -- Conservative Republicans who pushed anti-evolution standards back into Kansas schools last year have lost control of the state Board of Education once again.