Police officer in right place at right time stops bloodbath at Fort Hood

But for heroes, bloodbath could have been worse

Ida sweeps into Nicaragua as hurricane, damaging homes, forcing evacuations, then loses steam

Ida hits Nicaragua as hurricane, then loses steam

Ida weakens to tropical depression with 35 mph top winds as it sweeps over Nicaragua

Ida weakens to tropical depression over Nicaragua

Hurricane Ida rips into Nicaragua, damages homes, schools, forcing evacuation of thousands

Hurricane Ida rips into Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast

Ida weakens slightly, becomes a tropical storm with 65 mph winds as it dumps rain on Nicaragua

Ida weakens to tropical storm over Nicaragua

Hurricane Ida hits Nicaragua, forces evacuations, power outages

Hurricane Ida hits Nicaragua coast

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Newly born Hurricane Ida ripped into Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast on Thursday, destroying several dozen homes and forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people.

Ida reaches hurricane force, batters Nicaraguan island as it heads for landfall on mainland

Ida reaches hurricane force near Nicaragua

Tropical Storm Ida batters Nicaraguan island as it heads for landfall on mainland

Tropical Storm Ida batters Nicaraguan island

Authorities report big jump in marijuana plants seized in California raids

Authorities: Huge jump in Calif. pot plants seized

St. Louis aldermen approve NorthSide redevelopment plan to help crumbling neighborhoods

St. Louis aldermen approve redevelopment plan

Fishermen rally in Mass. to call for changes to fishery law, ‘dysfunctional’ management

Fishermen school up to criticize new catch rules

Construction to begin on King memorial in DC; plans were delayed over terror security issues

Construction to begin on King memorial in DC

2nd Texas company recalls tortilla shipment sent out with incorrect food labels

2nd Texas company recalling flour tortillas

ND researchers: Most Upper Midwest hard red spring wheat, durum wheat is top grade

ND researchers: Upper Midwest wheat of good grade

Obama’s UN ambassador tells Israelis ‘lip service’ not enough to bring about Mideast peace

JERUSALEM — The Obama administration’s ambassador to the United Nations told Israelis on Wednesday that it is not enough just to pay “lip service” to peace and urged the government to immediately relaunch negotiations, without preconditions, aimed at creating an independent Palestinian state.

Where’s the good stuff? Medical marijuana explosion creates booming review business

DENVER — The store has a television lounge and a pool table, and snacks and acupuncture are free for customers who drop up to $130 an ounce on 16 varieties of marijuana. But a reviewer of the business warns the decor looks a little cliche, what with the Grateful Dead posters on the wall and the Mexican-blanket tablecloths.

New Obama policy on Sudan sets carrot-and-stick approach toward peace, ending rights abuses

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, after months of fierce internal debate, outlined a new approach Monday to settling the conflicts in Sudan, asserting a moral obligation to end “a vast sea of human misery” and a need to prevent the African nation from serving as a haven for terrorists.

In policy shift, Obama to offer Sudanese government incentives to end violence

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Monday that the U.S. is shifting its policy toward Sudan, offering incentives if the government proves it is taking steps to end the human suffering there and work toward internal peace.

Anheuser-Busch buys up all of Saturday Night Live’s ads to launch new new wheat beer

NEW YORK — Anheuser-Busch is buying all the national ads on this week’s edition of comedy mainstay “Saturday Night Live” to launch its new brew, Bud Light Golden Wheat.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Forged letters to lawmakers not reported until after climate bill vote

WASHINGTON — A coal group and two contractors knew about forged lobbying letters sent to three House Democrats before a vote on climate legislation, but the lawmakers were in the dark, documents obtained by a congressional committee show.

Talks with Iran draw optimism from White House as lawmakers endorse tougher sanctions

WASHINGTON — The White House said Sunday it sees signs of progress in confronting Iran’s nuclear program while members of Congress endorsed authorizing tougher U.S. economic penalties against the Tehran government.

US official says ‘intense negotiations’ under way with Iran but sanctions remain an option

WASHINGTON — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says Washington and other veto-holding members in the U.N. Security Council are studying sanction options if Iran does not prove its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Prosecutors say they’re working to untangle multistate, Ponzi-like adoption scam

MINEOLA, N.Y. — An attorney who claimed his own experience as an adopted child motivated him to help people seeking to start families is suspected of running a Ponzi-like scheme that ripped off couples from New York to Texas, promising children that didn’t exist.

Canadian pot activist and seed merchant surrenders for extradition to US to face drug charge

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canada’s so-called Prince of Pot is now in jail awaiting extradition to the United States for selling marijuana seeds.

Prosecutor decides against charging suburban NYC university student who made up gang rape tale

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — A suburban New York City prosecutor has decided not to file criminal charges against a university student who falsely claimed she was gang-raped in a dormitory bathroom.

Southern California wildfire threatens ranches, orchards, homes amid high heat and winds

MOORPARK, Calif. — Firefighters guarded rural homes, ranches and orchards Wednesday as a wind-driven wildfire grew to more than 25 square miles on a march through rugged land between small Southern California communities.

Amb. Rice: US must weigh political, economic and military conditions on ground in Afghanistan

NEW YORK — U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice says the Obama administration’s fresh assessment of American policy in Afghanistan is appropriate and necessary in light of an evolving and uncertain political landscape there.

Residents evacuated by grass fire in Medford, Ore., begin returning home

MEDFORD, Ore. — Residents who evacuated because of a grass fire in the southern Oregon city of Medford have begun returning to their homes.

UN prepares for week with tough issues and new faces _ Obama, Gadhafi, Medvedev and Hu Jintao

UNITED NATIONS — Among the world leaders gathering this week at the United Nations to tackle problems ranging from climate change to the spread of nuclear weapons will be many new faces, including the presidents of the United States, Russia and China.