Questions on illegal immigration go back to states

President Obama's new non-deportation policy has thrown many of the thorniest immigration questions back into states' laps, as governors and legislators now must decide whether to issue driver's licenses or allow in-state tuition at public colleges to the illegal immigrants who will be given an iffy legal status.

Origin of toxic 'green salt' in Kentucky DOE building a mystery

Two years ago this summer, crews working at the sprawling Department of Energy campus in Kentucky noticed high levels of radioactive "green salt" in one of the buildings.

Activists to take on Capitol Hill: Lay off our milk, lemonade

Milk and lemonade may seem like the staples of youthful innocence, but on Saturday a group of activists hope to turn them into the tools of protests when they take to the Capitol to demand the government stop interfering in sales of fresh milk and stop shutting down kids' lemonade stands.

Ugandan youths make it to Little League World Series

Overcoming hurdles both on and off the diamond, a group of youngsters from the small central Ugandan town of Lugazi are poised to make some hardball history Friday when they become the first African team to play in the 66-year history of the Little League World Series.

Shooting at Family Research Council sets off high-caliber war of words

The president of a conservative Christian-based family organization said Thursday that the blame for the shooting of a colleague was shared between the man with the gun and groups that practice "reckless use of terminology."

Obama defends Medicare record in new ad

President Barack Obama is launching his first ad defending his record on Medicare, accusing Republican Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan of undermining the health care program critical to millions of seniors.

Police chiefs adopt drone code of conduct

The nation's police chiefs have adopted a code of conduct for their use of drones, including letting any images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, be open to inspection by the public, and that the images not be stored unless they are evidence of a crime or part of an ongoing investigation.

Ecuador grants asylum to WikiLeaks founder Assange

He has won asylum in Ecuador, but Julian Assange is no closer to getting there.

Romney: I've paid at least 13% in taxes every year

Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney declared Thursday he has paid at least 13 percent of his income in federal taxes every year for the past decade, offering that new detail while still decrying a "small-minded" fascination over returns he will not release. President Barack Obama's campaign shot back in doubt: "Prove it."

U.S. urges U.N. chief not to attend summit in Iran

The U.S. has told the U.N. chief that he would send a "very strange signal" to the world if he were to attend a conference of non-aligned states in Iran this month, the State Department said Thursday.

Use of natural gas credited for drop in CO2 emissions

In a surprising turnaround, the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the U.S. has fallen dramatically, to its lowest level in 20 years, and government officials say the biggest reason is that cheap and plentiful natural gas has led many power-plant operators to switch from dirtier-burning coal.

Facebook hits new low as IPO lock-up ends

Facebook's stock plunged to a new low Thursday after the expiration of a ban that had prevented some early investors and insiders from dumping millions of additional shares they own in the social-networking leader.

CDC to baby boomers: Get tested for hepatitis C

All baby boomers should get a one-time blood test to learn if they have the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus, U.S. health officials said Thursday.

Army suicides double in July from June's total

The Army says suicides among active-duty soldiers more than doubled in July from the month before.

Wave of attacks in northern, central Iraq kill 22

A wave of insurgent attacks Thursday killed at least 22 people and wounded dozens in central and northern Iraq, the latest series of persistent strikes aimed at undermining the government's authority.

Experts: Ex-Penn State president still could face charges

More than a month after an explosive investigative report accused ousted Penn State President Graham Spanier of burying child-sex-abuse allegations against Jerry Sandusky, Mr. Spanier so far has avoided criminal charges — unlike two of his former subordinates.

Commentary

BACHMANN: The Romney-Ryan comeback team

Mitt Romney's selection of Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate is the strongest signal yet of what a Romney presidency would look like. It wasn't the safe pick or the conventional pick. But it was the right pick.

PERRY AND SCOTT: Competition bringing out best in Texas, Florida

America was built upon a culture of competition that has helped create a nation of innovators, entrepreneurs and bold leaders, not to mention a standard for success that is the envy of the world.

NUGENT: All aboard for the Romney-Ryan Express

As excited as I am over Mitt Romney selecting Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, I'm over come with giddiness that Mr. Romney's first important decision has shown his conservative mettle.

DECKER: Obama should dump Biden

President Obama should dump Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. as his running mate to improve his diminishing chances of reelection. The economy is in the gutter, consumer confidence is depressed and the unemployment rate is getting worse.

MILLER: Body blocking bullets

An unarmed security guard thwarted a gunman in Washington on Wednesday using nothing but his body - and that's just what D.C. officials want. Mayor Vincent C. Gray cited Leonardo Johnson's being shot in the arm while protecting coworkers at the Family Research Council (FRC) as proof the capital city's restrictive gun laws are effective.