States consider reviving old-fashioned executions
Written by JIM SALTER, Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — With lethal-injection drugs in short supply and new questions looming about their effectiveness, lawmakers in some death penalty states are considering bringing back relics of a more gruesome past: firing squads, electrocutions and gas chambers.
Gassy German cows blamed for barn explosion
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BERLIN (AP) — A herd of dairy cows nearly lifted the roof off their barn in central Germany when methane released by the animals caused an explosion.
'Long-term unemployment' _ one mom's story
Written by MARTHA IRVINE, AP National Writer
AURORA, Ill. (AP) — Down the road from an emergency food pantry where a small crowd waits for the chance to gather free groceries, there is a church sign that reads: "If you need help, ask God. If you don't, thank God."
Toddlers love selfies: Parenting in an iPhone age
Written by GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Every so often, Brandi Koskie finds dozens of photos of her 3-year-old daughter, Paisley, on her iPhone — but they aren't ones Koskie has taken.
Obama speech to challenge Congress on minimum wage
Written by JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Challenging lawmakers to help him create greater economic opportunity, President Barack Obama will use his State of the Union address Tuesday to announce he's raising the minimum wage for new federal contract workers to $10.10 an hour, underscoring a go-it-alone strategy in an election year critical to Democrats' hopes for gains in Congress.
Southerners warned of icy mess in days ahead
Written by JEFF MARTIN, Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Across the South, residents stocked up on fuel and groceries, schools and offices closed, and road crews were at the ready as a storm moved in Tuesday from the central U.S., threatening to bring snow, ice and subzero temperatures to a region more accustomed to air conditioners and sunscreen than parkas and shovels.
Folk singer, activist Pete Seeger dies in NY
Written by CHRIS TALBOTT, Associated Press MICHAEL HILL, Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Buoyed by his characteristically soaring spirit, the surging crowd around him and a pair of canes, Pete Seeger walked through the streets of Manhattan leading an Occupy Wall Street protest in 2011.
Assad future blocks progress in Syria peace talks
Written by ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press
GENEVA (AP) — The key issue of a transitional government to replace President Bashar Assad blocked any progress Monday in Syrian peace talks, described by one delegate as "a dialogue of the deaf."