NYT: Rural slice of Penn. tests Obama

Once solidly Democratic, the rural reaches of western Pennsylvania pose a particular hurdle for Barack Obama. One hears much hesitating talk about Obama, some not-so-subtly racial.

Amish population nearly doubles

The Amish are expanding their presence in states far beyond Pennsylvania Dutch country as they search for affordable farmland to accommodate a population that has nearly doubled in 16 years.

Russia blocks port city as deadline looms

Russian forces blocked the only land entrance to Georgia's main port city on Thursday, a day before Russia promised to complete a troop pullout from its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Olympians share thoughts on ‘perfect athlete'

Emerging stars from the Beijing Olympics  share their surprising choices for the perfect athlete.

3 NATO troops die in Afghanistan
U.S.-led coalition troops battled a group of militants in eastern Afghanistan, killing over 30 insurgents, while three NATO soldiers were killed in a roadside blast elsewhere, officials said Thursday.

Taliban bombs kill 59 at Pakistan arms site

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the gates of Pakistan's main weapons complex Thursday, killing 59 people and dashing hopes for an end to political turmoil.

Gators prowl as Fay heads back to Fla.

Tropical Storm Fay hung offshore Thursday and poured more rain on Florida's central Atlantic coast after flooding hundreds of homes and leaving much of the state a soggy mess.

Illinois sheriff does jail time - voluntarily
The Lake County sheriff is behind bars — voluntarily. His goal is to talk to inmates so he can see the jail from their perspective and try to solve potential problems.

NFL players union chief Upshaw dies at 63

Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, has died. He was 63.