Police release scientist in Miami airport scare (AP)

AP - Investigators on Friday released a scientist detained at Miami International Airport after screeners spotted a metal canister in his luggage that looked like a pipe bomb, prompting an evacuation, a senior law enforcement official said.

Earl sideswipes NC, takes aim at New England (AP)

AP - A weakening Hurricane Earl swiped past North Carolina on Friday on its way to New England, where officials warned residents that it still packed dangerous winds that could topple trees or damage the area's picturesque gray-shingled cottages.

'Birth tourism' a tiny portion of immigrant babies (AP)

AP - When Ruth Garcia's twins are born in two months, they'll have all the rights of U.S. citizens. They and their six brothers and sisters will be able to vote, apply for federal student loans and even run for president.

Latest Gulf oil rig problem differs from BP spill (AP)

AP - Unlike the blast that led to the massive BP spill, the latest oil platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico killed no one and sent no crude gushing into the water.

Former egg farm workers say complaints ignored (AP)

AP - U.S. Agriculture Department employees worked full-time at two Iowa egg farms at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive recall, but two former workers said they ignored complaints about conditions at one site.

Nursing homes broaden offerings to turn a profit (AP)
AP - For decades, the mission at Miami Jewish Home and Hospital was simply to care for the old.

Comfort Inn a hurricane hostel in NC (AP)

AP - A two-story Comfort Inn has become a makeshift hurricane hostel on North Carolina's Outer Banks for those who want to stay close to their homes but know they need better shelter from the onslaught of Earl.

Clams befouling Tahoe invade Adirondack lake in NY (AP)

AP - A thumbnail-sized clam blamed for clouding the azure bays of Lake Tahoe high in the Sierra Nevada has now turned up in a mountain-ringed Adirondack lake renowned for its limpid, spring-fed waters.

Pearl Harbor marks 65th anniversary of WWII's end (AP)

AP - Like many other vets, Don Fosburg marked the anniversary of World War II's end reflecting on a victory dearly earned and on men who helped make that happen but never came home.

McCourt: Wife concerned about nest egg (AP)

AP - Former Dodger CEO Jamie McCourt was more concerned with protecting the couple's luxurious homes than dealing with baseball matters and didn't want to take the risk associated with buying one of baseball's most storied franchises six years ago, her estranged husband said.

Warrants detail stabbings at Calif. beach house (AP)

AP - A 9-year-old boy ran to get cash from his mother's purse to appease an armed intruder, but when he returned the man was stabbing his parents with a kitchen knife in the bedroom, according to recently released search warrants in the triple murder case.

Critics: Ill. lottery contract cloaked in secrecy (AP)

AP - With less than two weeks before Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn awards a lucrative, first-of-its-kind contract for the private management of the state's $2 billion-a-year lottery, some are criticizing the selection process as too secretive and questioning whether it favors one powerful bidder.

Police question scientist in Miami airport scare (AP)

AP - A government official says a scientist has been detained in Miami after screeners found a metal canister in his luggage that looked like a pipe bomb.

Police: Discovery Channel hostages planned escape (AP)

AP - Police had been negotiating with James Jae Lee for several hours and intended to keep him talking for as long as it took to safely resolve the standoff at the Discovery Channel's headquarters. Inside the lobby, Lee's three hostages had no intention of waiting.

3 dead in plane crash off San Francisco Bay (AP)

AP - A small plane that crashed into a shallow lagoon off San Francisco Bay on Thursday, killing three people, belonged to the founder of a local steel company who was believed to be among the dead.

LA police ID owner of trunk containing baby bodies (AP)

AP - Investigators have identified the owner of a trunk in which the mummified remains of two babies were found, bringing them a step closer to solving the intriguing international mystery.

Arizona governor stumbles during debate (AP)

AP - It will go down as one of the most painful openings to a political debate in recent memory.

FBI: 6 accused in forced labor of 400 Thai workers (AP)
AP - Six recruiters were accused Thursday of luring 400 laborers from Thailand to the United States and forcing them to work, according to a federal indictment that the FBI called the largest human-trafficking case ever charged in U.S. history.

Phoenix airport worker arrested in luggage thefts (AP)

AP - A man who worked at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was arrested Thursday on suspicion that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of items from the luggage of passengers in a case that could include hundreds of victims from around the world.

Embattled Illinois prisons chief resigns (AP)
AP - Illinois' prison chief, who became a political liability to Gov. Pat Quinn during an election year because of a secret prisoner release program he oversaw, is stepping down, the governor said Thursday.