Child deaths test faith-healing exemptions
Three criminal cases have revived concerns about exemptions that most states grant to parents who rely on faith healing instead of doctors to treat sick children.

Court records detail Vick's lavish spending

With Michael Vick due to plead on state charges next week, he was returned to Virginia on Thursday, The Associated Press reviewed the details of his bankruptcy filing. The documents reveal astoundingly bad financial management of the quarterback's fortune.

Gas prices dip below $2 a gallon

Only four months after peaking at an unheard of $4.11 a gallon, the national average price for gasoline tumbled below $2 Friday, its lowest point in more than three years.

GM, Chrysler make cuts to hold on for loans

Chrysler and GM need to follow Lee Iacocca's play book now as they try to outlast the debate in Washington over whether they will get billions in government loans.

Date-rape ‘doctor' they could not convict
Despite all the legal advances of the past three decades, little has changed for women who report a date rape.

Islamists: We'll fight Somali pirates
A radical Islamic group in Somalia said Friday it will fight the pirates holding a Saudi supertanker loaded with $100 million worth of crude oil.

Inaugural crowd to face scrutiny
Law enforcement officials bracing for the largest crowds in inaugural history are preparing far-reaching security — thousands of video cameras, sharpshooters, air patrols — to safeguard President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in.

Stocks leap on treasury speculation

Wall Street put a stop to a terrifying decline and stormed higher as President-elect Obama appeared ready to tap the chief of the N.Y. Federal Reserve as the next treasury secretary.

Teen commits suicide as webcam users watch

Authorities say a South Florida teen committed suicide in front of a live online Webcam audience after blogging about his plan to kill himself.