Oil-tanker rules aim to reduce explosion risks

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Department issued an emergency order Wednesday requiring railroads to inform state emergency management officials about the movement of large shipments of cru...

Obama praises tornado-hit town’s spirit

VILONIA, Ark. – Surveying the remnants of nature’s destructive power in the country’s midsection, President Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to residents of tornado-ravaged Arkansas communitie...

World Briefs

Thai court ousts leader for abuse of power BANGKOK – A court ousted Thailand’s prime minister Wednesday for abuse of power, accomplishing what anti-government demonstrators have s...

Nation Briefs

House seeks prosecutor to investigate IRS WASHINGTON – The House has approved a nonbinding resolution calling on the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to investigate...

Islamic attack in Nigeria reportedly kills hundreds

LAGOS, Nigeria – Islamic militants killed hundreds of people in an attack on a border town in Nigeria’s remote northeast, escalating the country’s violent insurrection in which more than 270...

U.S. disputes claims on Russian troops

DONETSK, Ukraine – Russian President Vladimir Putin softened his tone in the confrontation with the West on Wednesday, declaring that Russia has pulled its troops away from the Ukrainian bor...

Dems fear backlash from new EPA rules

WASHINGTON – Within weeks, President Barack Obama’s administration is set to unveil unprecedented emissions limits on power plants across the U.S., much to the dismay of many Democratic cand...

Health insurers say most new enrollees paying up

WASHINGTON – Between 80 percent and 90 percent of new health exchange enrollees have paid their first month’s premium, insurers told a House panel Wednesday. “We are seeing strong...

American 12th-graders score abysmally

Test shows fewer than half proficient in math, reading

Dems open door to taking part in Benghazi probe

WASHINGTON – House Democrats opened the door Tuesday to participating in a special panel’s investigation of the deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya, even if they see it as little more than an e...

GOP getting quick start

WASHINGTON – North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis captured the nomination to oppose imperiled Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan on Tuesday night, overcoming anti-establishment rivals by a comfor...

Census chief tours booming oil state

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Census Bureau is up to the task of accurately counting the exploding population in North Dakota, where armies of job seekers have come to take advantage of the oil-...