National News

13 - 12:36am

Across The Nation WASHINGTON The House overwhelmingly passed a sweeping, $638 billion defense bill on Friday that imposes new punishments on members of the armed services found guilty of rape or sexual assault as outrage over the crisis in the military has galvanized Congress. Ignoring a White House veto threat, the Republican-controlled House voted 315-108 for the legislation, which would block President Barack Obama from closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and limit his efforts to reduce nuclear weapons.

Elizabethtown mayor dies at age 54 06/15/13 - 12:17am

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Elizabethtown Mayor Tim Walker, whose decades-long service to the central Kentucky city included stints as a firefighter and city councilman, died Friday at Hardin Memorial Hospital. He was 54. The mayor died at 5:33 a.m. but the cause had not yet been determined, the hospital said. Walker’s body was transferred to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. Walker was in his first term as mayor, having been elected in 2010.

San Francisco parking spot sells for $82,000 06/14/13 - 12:27am

What a deal! Parking spot goes for $82K

What a deal! Parking spot goes for $82K SAN FRANCISCO — Parking spots apparently aren’t immune from the recent surge in San Francisco real estate prices. A spot in the city’s trendy South Beach neighborhood sold last week for $82,000, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday. The 8-by 12-foot parking space is in an enclosed garage in a condominium building near the San Francisco Giants’ ballpark. A Porsche SUV was parked in it Thursday. The Chronicle said the unidentified buyer did not respond to interview requests.

Court says isolated human genes cannot be patented 06/14/13 - 12:08am

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously threw out attempts to patent human genes, siding with advocates who say the multibillion-dollar biotechnology industry should not have exclusive control over genetic information found inside the human body. But the high court also approved for the first time the patenting of synthetic DNA, handing a victory to researchers and companies looking to come up with ways to fight life-threatening diseases such as breast or ovarian cancer, and profit from medical breakthroughs that could reverse the diseases.

Lawmaker: Terrorists swap tactics after leaks 06/14/13 - 12:06am

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Thursday that terrorists are already changing their behavior after leaks about classified U.S. surveillance programs, but he offered no details.

Across the nation 06/14/13 - 12:06am

Across The Nation COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. A voracious wildfire driven in all directions by shifting winds destroyed at least 360 homes — a number that was likely to climb as the most destructive blaze in Colorado history burned out of control for a third day through miles of tinder-dry woods.

Voice-operated dashboard technology still risky for drivers 06/13/13 - 12:28am

Hands-free devices still risky for drivers

Hands-free devices still risky for drivers WASHINGTON — Dashboard technology that lets drivers text and email with voice commands — marketed as a safer alternative — actually is more distracting than simply talking on a cellphone, a new AAA study found.

Across the Nation 06/13/13 - 12:15am

Across The Nation SANFORD, Fla. Attorneys trying to seat a jury in George Zimmerman’s trial for shooting an unarmed teen stopped questioning a white man in his 20s Wednesday after he gave answers that indicated he wouldn’t be impartial. The juror, known as “R-39” because potential panelists can be identified only by their numbers, said “murder is murder,” even if it’s self-defense. Zimmerman, 29, is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last year in self-defense.

Trio of blazes burns out of control in Colorado 06/13/13 - 12:14am

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Three Colorado wildfires fueled by hot temperatures, gusty winds and thick, bone-dry forests have together burned dozens of homes and led to the evacuation of more than 7,000 residents and nearly 1,000 inmates at a medium-security prison. Wildfires also were burning in New Mexico, Oregon and California, where a smokejumper was killed fighting one of dozens of lightning-sparked fires.

Castro pleads not guilty in kidnap case 06/13/13 - 12:13am

CLEVELAND — A man accused of holding three women captive in his home for about a decade pleaded not guilty Wednesday to hundreds of rape and kidnapping charges, and the defense hinted at avoiding a trial with a plea deal if the death penalty were ruled out. The death penalty is in play because among the accusations facing Ariel Castro, 52, is that he forced a miscarriage by one of the women, which is considered a killing under Ohio law. That charge doesn’t include a possible death penalty, but a prosecutor has said that’s under review.