Chris Chaberski
Punxsutawney Phil Is in Trouble With the Law
The official first day of spring may have been earlier this week, but one prosecutor in Ohio thinks that winter has gone on far too long—and he blames a certain prognosticatory rodent.
10-Year-Old Girl Foils Abduction Attempt by Asking Stranger for Code Word
On Monday in a town outside Toronto, 10-year-old girl foiled an attempted abduction by requesting a code word she had worked out with her parents.
Seven Marines Killed, Others Injured, at Nevada Training Site
An explosion during a training exercise Monday Night caused the deaths of seven Marines and injured seven others at the Hawthorne Army Depot outside of Reno, Nevada.
Police Find Dead Body, Explosives, Guns Inside Florida College Dorm Room
On Wednesday morning, authorities found the body of a University of Central Florida student inside a dorm room, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A campus spokeswoman said that there were also improvised explosive devices and additional weapons in the room.
Who Are the Candidates to Become the Next Pope?
This week at the Vatican in Rome, cardinals from around the world are convening to elect the next pope, which could happen any day now. Who is most likely to succeed Pope Benedict XIV? As of now, there is no clear favorite, but a few cardinals have emerged as the top choices in various betting markets.
Economy Adds 236,000 Jobs; Unemployment Rate Drops to 7.7%
The labor market—and the economy overall—is improving, albeit gradually, with employers adding 236,000 jobs in February. That gain brought the unemployment rate down a few ticks from 7.9 percent to 7.7, its lowest point in four years.
Police Exchange Gunfire With Alleged Cop-Killer Christopher Dorner
Going on right now in Big Bear, California, is a gunfight between law-enforcement officials and alleged cop-killer Christopher Dorner. Multiple officers have apparently been injured during the battle, in which hundreds of rounds have been fired.
What We Know About Pope Benedict’s Resignation
In stunning news, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday morning from the Vatican that he will resign his position as head of the Catholic Church, effective on February 28. This has already set off a flurry of speculation, largely because no pope has voluntarily done so since the year 1415.
The news is still coming in, but here's what we know so far:
Gunman Shoots and Kills Bus Driver, Holds 6-Year-Old Hostage in Bunker
On Tuesday afternoon, a man in Dale County, Alabama, near Midland City, got on a school bus, demanded a child be let off with him, then shot and killed the bus driver when he refused. The shooter, identified as Jimmy Lee Dykes, then took the boy from the bus and is currently holed up with him in an underground bunker nearby.
This Day in History for November 7 — Magic Johnson’s HIV Announcement, and More
Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:
1908: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are reportedly killed in San Vicente, Bolivia (more info)
1916: Jeannette Rankin becomes the first woman elected to the United States Congress (more info)