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Grandparents play a bigger role in child-rearing

Latest trend is now being driven by bad economy and graying U.S. population.

5 years later, Jena 6 move on

This small Louisiana town doesn't look much different than it did five years ago: The same small businesses open their doors six days a week, except for Sundays, when most people head to Jena's many churches. The upcoming high school football season is the main topic of conversation.

Irene evacuations spread to Northeast

Evacuations orders widened Thursday to include parts of Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and more North Carolina counties after the forecast for Hurricane Irene took a turn for the worse.

Live updates: NYC mayor orders some to evacuate

Neighbor arrested in mosque firebombing

Federal officials arrested a 24-year-old man on charges of firebombing an Oregon mosque last year and said he was motivated by racial hatred following the arrest of a Muslim man accused of plotting to set off a car bomb in Portland.

Shady dealings rife among 9/11 charities

An Associated Press investigation shows that many charities established to serve the victims of the 9/11 attacks have failed miserably.

Casey Anthony reports to Fla. probation officer

Florida authorities said Thursday that Casey Anthony was polite and cooperative during a meeting with her probation officer and pledged to meet the conditions of her one-year probation for check fraud.

Mom in baby-dropping case on suicide watch

The arraignment for a California mom accused of pushing her 7-month-old baby to his death from a parking structure was postponed on Thursday after a doctor found her mentally unfit to go to court.

NYPD confirms CIA officer works at department

New York's police commissioner confirmed Thursday that a CIA officer is working out of police headquarters there.

Professors offer courses to illegal immigrants

As college students return to campus in Georgia, a new state policy has closed the doors of the five most competitive state schools to illegal immigrants, but a group of professors has found a way to offer those students a taste of what they've been denied.

Kansas man convicted of capital murder in 4 deaths

A Kansas man has been convicted of capital murder in the shooting deaths of his estranged wife, their two teenage daughters and his wife's grandmother.

25 years later, 'preppie' murder still stings

When handsome Roberts Chambers strangled a pretty 18-year-old in New York City's Central Park it set off a media firestorm that is still reverberates today.

Census: South, West lead US in marriages, divorces

Singles, take note: With marriages at an all-time low, states in the South and West rank among the highest for couples hearing wedding bells. But many of these states also have higher rates of divorce.

At least 5 aftershocks rattle DC area

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake that rattled the Washington, D.C.-area early Thursday was at least the fifth aftershock in the wake of the strongest temblor to strike the East Coast since World War II.

No charges for Wis. justice accused in choking

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser won't face criminal charges over allegations that he choked a liberal colleague, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Police: Pa. newlyweds shoplifted reception food

A couple of Pennsylvania newlyweds are behind bars after police say they were caught shoplifting food from a supermarket for their wedding reception.

95-year-old man stung 600 times by bees

A 95-year-old man is in the hospital after he was attacked by bees in Redondo Beach.

US evacuees go home after rail fire flames die

Thousands of evacuees returned home Thursday after fire crews allowed a flaming propane rail tanker to burn itself out, ending the threat of a major explosion, authorities said.

Some fast food gets a fresh makeover

Some large fast food chains traditionally better known for greasy fries and gut-busting burgers are increasingly turning their attention to spinach leaves and apple wedges.