Tropical Storm Debby better organized

MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- Tropical Storm Debby was expected to stay away from land as it remained off the coast of the Cape Verde islands in the eastern Atlantic, forecasters said Thursday.

Poll: 1 in 4 Americans believe U.S. was safer before 9/11

(CNN) -- Less than half of Americans believe the United States is now safer from terrorism than it was before Sept. 11, 2001, according to a CNN poll released Wednesday.

Hells Angels win payoff after city kills dogs

SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- The city agreed to pay nearly $800,000 to the Hells Angels motorcycle club to settle claims that police needlessly killed three dogs during raids on club members' homes.

Medicare sends out millions in mistaken refunds

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Don't cash that check.

Sago mine survivor sues over blast

CHARLESTON, West Virginia (AP) -- The lone survivor of the Sago Mine disaster and the families of two victims filed lawsuits Wednesday against the mine owner and five other companies.

A fifth of Citadel's female cadets claim sexual assault

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) -- Almost 20 percent of the female cadets at The Citadel last spring reported being sexually assaulted since enrolling at the state military college, according to results of a survey released by the school Wednesday.

Boy Scouts rescue toddler in river

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) -- A troop of Boy Scouts on a camping trip saved an 18-month-old girl who had fallen in a river upstream from them and was floating face down, officials said.

Authorities: Extreme fire danger in Northwest

DAYTON, Washington (AP) -- Red flag warnings were posted for wide areas of the Northwest on Wednesday, indicating extreme fire danger as crews battled spreading wildfires.

Bush: Katrina recovery will take time

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush on Wednesday cautioned against placing too much importance on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's Gulf Coast strike, saying it will take a long, sustained effort to rebuild the area.

Lieberman secures spot on November ballot

HARTFORD, Connecticut (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman has enough voter signatures to secure a spot on the November ballot with a new party, Connecticut's secretary of state said Wednesday.

Foie gras fracas sizzles as restaurants file suit

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Saying the City Council stuck its beak where it didn't belong, a restaurant association sued the city Tuesday in hope of making foie gras legal again.

Zoo chief shoots rare tiger

TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) -- A rare Sumatran tiger was shot and killed by the head of a Florida zoo after it escaped from its cage and charged at a veterinarian, zoo officials said.

Alaska governor concedes defeat in primary

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) -- Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski lost his bid for a second term on Tuesday, making him the first incumbent Alaska governor in 20 years to be unseated in his party's primary election.

Thai police: Karr said he had 'sex' with JonBenet

(CNN) -- John Mark Karr, the man facing charges in the slaying of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey 10 years ago, told an officer in Thailand last week that he had sex with the girl before she died but added "there was no penetration," Thai Immigration Chief Gen. Suwat Tumrongsiskul told CNN on Wednesday.