- Link between pot smoking and IQ drop challenged
NEW YORK (AP) — A new analysis is challenging a report that suggests regular marijuana smoking during the teen years can lead to a long-term drop in IQ. The analysis says the statistical analysis behind that conclusion is flawed.
Conn. group launches anti-violence initiative
NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — Parents of children slain in the Connecticut school massacre held photos of their sons and daughters, cried, hugged and spoke in quavering voices as they called for a national dialogue to help prevent similar tragedies.
Obama backs gun limits, concedes tough fight ahead
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama endorsed controversial bans on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines on Monday, as well as stricter background checks for gun buyers — but conceded he may not win approval of all in a Congress reluctant to tighten restrictions.
Obama: Debt limit fight imperils elderly's checks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring "we are not a deadbeat nation," President Obama warned on Monday that Social Security checks and veterans' benefits will be delayed if congressional Republicans fail to increase the government's borrowing authority in a looming showdown over the nation's debt and spending.
Conservatives chip away at $50b Sandy aid package
WASHINGTON (AP) — House conservatives opposed to more deficit spending tried Monday to chip away at the $50.7 billion Superstorm Sandy aid package by requiring offsetting spending cuts to pay for recovery efforts and by stripping money for projects they say are unrelated to the Oct. 29 storm or not urgently needed.
- Board weighs firing SC teacher who stomped on flag
CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina high school teacher who talked glowingly about the U.S. and the importance of embracing freedom while stomping on an American flag in his classroom is still deciding whether to appeal a superintendent's recommendation that he be fired.
Gay community hails Foster's halting Globes speech
NEW YORK (AP) — Was it a proud revelation, or an impassioned case for privacy? A coming-out speech, or a why-SHOULD-I-come-out speech? Too little and too late, or just enough?
- Evangelical coalition seeks immigration overhaul
NEW YORK (AP) — Prominent evangelical leaders announced a new effort Monday to persuade conservative Christians and lawmakers they should support overhauling U.S. immigration laws.
- Feds warned against risk seen in Buffalo VA
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Federal authorities warned against the infection risks of using insulin pens on more than one patient, and officials on Monday asked why a Buffalo veterans hospital may have used the pens on many patients, causing an HIV scare.
Presidential strut is now iconic inaugural moment
WASHINGTON (AP) — At some point on Inauguration Day, if all goes as expected, the president's limousine will slow to a stop on its journey down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House. A Secret Service agent will open the rear passenger door, and the newly sworn-in president and the first lady will emerge from his car for a several-minute stroll. The crowd will cheer. Barack Obama will wave.
- Kansas history, geography standards up for review
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas students would be asked to better understand the context of what they learn, not just memorize names and dates, under a new draft of history, geography and social studies standards that education officials are set to review this week.
