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22 dead in Mo., Okla., Ga. after more storms

By Mike Gullett (AP)

Stunned survivors picked through the little that was left of their communities Sunday after tornadoes tore across the Plains and South, killing at least 22 people in three states and leaving behind a trail of destruction and stories of loss.

At least 15 people died in southwestern Missouri. In the fading mining town of Picher, Okla., at least six people were killed, and at least one person died in storms in Georgia.

Susan Roberts, 61, stared at the smashed remains of her classic 1985 Cadillac sitting on her living room floor _ the only thing left of her Seneca home. A woman...

By (AP)

Fifty-three illegal immigrants found Sunday had been held against their will in a fortified home by suspected smugglers demanding more money, authorities said.

The group of rescued immigrants included two 13-year-old girls, three women and a mentally disabled man. The rest were men, Department of Public Safety spokesman Harold Sanders said.

Authorities began investigating Saturday after getting a tip that immigrants were being held captive. Sanders said the smugglers wanted an average of $2,500 for each person's release.

The single-family home where they were kept had...

By Sue Ogrocki (AP)

Crews and search dogs hunted Sunday for survivors or bodies in piles of debris after tornadoes and storms rumbled across the region a day earlier and killed at least 21 people in three states.

Six people died in Picher, once a bustling mining center of 20,000 that dwindled to about 800 people as families fled lead pollution there, and officials held out hope that they wouldn't find any more bodies.

Residents said the tornado created a surreal scene as it tore through town Saturday afternoon, injuring 150 people, overturning cars, damaging dozens of homes and throwing...

By Andy Manis (AP)

A medical helicopter dropped off a patient and then crashed shortly after it took off on its return flight to Madison, killing the surgeon, nurse and pilot on board, officials said Sunday.

The University of Wisconsin Hospital Med Flight crew went down about three miles from the La Crosse airport, where they departed late Saturday, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said in a statement.

The wreckage was found early Sunday and preliminary reports indicate the helicopter may have struck a hill or some trees, said Margaret Van Bree, the hospital's...

By Sue Ogrocki (AP)

Crews and search dogs hunted Sunday for survivors or bodies in piles of debris after tornadoes and storms rumbled across the region a day earlier and killed at least 23 people in three states.

Seven people died in Picher, once a bustling mining center of 20,000 that dwindled to about 800 people as families fled lead pollution here, and officials held out hope that they wouldn't find any more bodies.

Residents said the tornado created a surreal scene as it tore through town Saturday afternoon, injuring 150 people, overturning cars, damaging dozens of homes and throwing...

By Lloyd Gallman (AP)

Four-dollar-a-gallon gas is good for business _ if you run a bike shop.

Commuters around the country are dusting off their old two-wheelers _ or buying new ones _ to cope with rising fuel prices, bicycle dealers say.

"Everyone that comes in the shop is talking about the gas prices," said Barry Dahl, who opened Barry's Bikes in Bismarck in April. He sold more than 50 bicycles in the first month, double the projections in his business plan.

Teacher Joyce McCusker of Herndon, Va., owns a bicycle for the first time in years. She bought it last month and uses it to make the ...

By SHEILAH MILLER (AP)

Crews and search dogs hunted Sunday for survivors or bodies in the piles of debris left after a tornado rumbled through a day earlier and killed at least seven people.

Officials held out hope that they wouldn't find any more bodies in this town, once a bustling mining center of 20,000 that dwindled to about 800 people as families fled lead pollution here.

Residents said the tornado created a surreal scene as it moved through Picher late Saturday afternoon, injuring 150 people, overturning cars, throwing mattresses and twisted metal high into the canopy of trees.

"I...

By SHEILAH MILLER (AP)

Crews and search dogs hunted Sunday for survivors or bodies in the piles of debris left after a tornado rumbled through a day earlier and killed at least seven people.

Officials held out hope that they wouldn't find any more bodies in this town, once a bustling mining center of 20,000 that dwindled to about 800 people as families fled lead pollution here.

Residents said the tornado created a surreal scene as it moved through Picher late Saturday afternoon, injuring 150 people, overturning cars, throwing mattresses and twisted metal high into the canopy of trees.

"I...

By Gerald Herbert (AP)

Increasing numbers of U.S. troops have left the military with damaged bodies and minds, an ever-larger pool of disabled veterans that will cost the nation billions for decades to come _ even as the total population of America's vets has begun to shrink.

Despite the decline in total vets _ as soldiers from World War II and Korea die _ the government expects to be spending $59 billion a year to compensate injured warriors in 25 years, up from today's $29 billion, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press. And the Veterans Affairs Department concedes the bill...

By Gerald Herbert (AP)

Increasing numbers of U.S. troops have left the military with damaged bodies and minds, an ever-larger pool of disabled veterans that will cost the nation billions for decades to come _ even as the total population of America's vets has begun to shrink.

Despite the decline in total vets _ as soldiers from World War II and Korea die _ the government expects to be spending $59 billion a year to compensate injured warriors in 25 years, up from today's $29 billion, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press. And the Veterans Affairs Department concedes the bill...

By SHEILAH MILLER (AP)

Many have fled this depressed, pollution-scarred mining town. Those who have chosen to stay or have not yet relocated face a new heartache.

A tornado ripped through a 20-block swath of Picher late Saturday afternoon, killing at least seven people. The same storm system then moved into southwest Missouri where tornadoes took the lives of at least 12 others, authorities said.

On Sunday, storms rumbled across Georgia, killing at least one person in Dublin, about a 121 miles southeast of Atlanta, authorities said. Weather officials had not yet confirmed whether the storms...

By VINCE BUCCI (AP)

A memorabilia dealer who profited from O.J. Simpson for many years is the latest former crony to write a tell-all book, this one alleging a groggy Simpson, high on marijuana, confessed to killing his ex-wife after he was acquitted.

Mike Gilbert also claims he helped his former friend wiggle out of the murder charges by suggesting how to bloat his hands so they wouldn't fit the notorious bloody gloves.

Gilbert's book, "How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse" (Regnery Publishing, 232 pages, $27.95), is due in ...

By ROGER NOMER (AP)

Many have fled this depressed, pollution-scarred mining town. Those who have chosen to stay or have not yet relocated face a new heartache. A tornado ripped through a 20-block swath of Picher late Saturday afternoon, killing at least seven people. The same storm system then moved into southwest Missouri where tornadoes took the lives of at least 12 others, authorities said.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown said Picher's victims included an infant. He said at least three people were confirmed missing.

"We've seen homes that were completely leveled to the foundation," ...

By Marc F. Henning (AP)

Many have fled this depressed, pollution-scarred mining town. Those who have chosen to stay or have not yet relocated face a new heartache.

A tornado ripped through a 20-block swath of Picher late Saturday afternoon, killing at least seven people. The same storm system then moved into southwest Missouri where tornadoes took the lives of at least 12 others, authorities said.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown said Picher's victims included an infant. He said at least three people were confirmed missing.

"We've seen homes that were completely leveled to the foundati...

By Jae C. Hong (AP)

Emily again topped the list of most popular baby girl names last year, registering as No. 1 for the 12th straight time. Jacob led among names for boys for the ninth year in a row.

New parents didn't stray far from past habits in 2007 when naming their babies. Only one name _ Elizabeth _ is new to the top-10 list, returning after a two-year absence. Samantha, which previously ranked 10th, dropped to No. 12, according to the latest list released Saturday by the Social Security Administration.

Biblical names continued to dominate the boys' list. Besides Jacob, other top picks...

By ROGER NOMER (AP)

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed at least 18 people as severe storms raked the nation's heart Saturday, injuring many and mangling buildings in the storm-weary region.

At least 12 people were killed after severe storms spawned tornadoes and high winds across sections of southwestern Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency said. Ten of the dead were killed when a twister struck near Seneca, near the Oklahoma border.

At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher, authorities...

By Marc F. Henning (AP)

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed at least 18 people as severe storms raked the nation's heart Saturday, injuring many and mangling buildings in the storm-weary region.

At least 12 people were killed after severe storms spawned tornadoes and high winds across sections of southwestern Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency said. Ten of the dead were killed when a twister struck near Seneca, near the Oklahoma border.

At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher, authorities...

By ROGER NOMER (AP)

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed several people as severe storms raked the nation's heart Saturday, taking at least 18 lives, mangling buildings and trapping people in rubble in the storm-weary region.

At least 12 people were killed after severe storms spawned tornadoes and high winds across sections of southwestern Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency said.

At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher.

"The last two years we've had floods and tornadoes _ it's just one right a...

By ROGER NOMER (AP)

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed several people as severe storms raked the nation's heart Saturday, taking at least 16 lives, mangling buildings and trapping people in rubble in the storm-weary region.

At least 10 people were killed after severe storms spawned tornadoes and high winds across sections of southwestern Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency said.

At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher.

"The last two years we've had floods and tornadoes _ it's just one right a...

By Nick de la Torre (AP)

The bodies of five people, including three young children, were found Saturday afternoon on a sprawling property with several structures in northeast Houston, police said.

A neighbor made the grisly discovery after seeing a man's body on porch next to a .22-caliber rifle, investigators said.

The bodies of a woman between 20 and 30 years old and a boy thought to be about 10 were found in one part of the home, Houston police Sgt. John Chomiak.

The bodies of a young boy and girl were found in another part of the home, described by authorities as a simple wooden structure...

By Marc F. Henning (AP)

Thunderstorms and tornadoes tore across the nation's heartland Saturday evening, killing at least 11 people, mangling buildings and trapping people in the rubble of their homes in areas still reeling from other recent bouts with severe weather.

A twister killed at least six people in the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher on Saturday and left widespread destruction, authorities said.

The death toll could go higher, said Oklahoma Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten. The tornado caused major damage in a 20-block area, she said.

"I know they are going...

By Matt Slocum (AP)

Jenna Bush picked "You Are So Beautiful," the ballad made famous by Joe Cocker, for the father-daughter dance with President Bush at her wedding reception Saturday night in Texas, the band leader said.

Tyrone Smith of Nashville and his 10-piece party band, The Tyrone Smith Revue, were hired to play at the reception in Crawford.

The band was asked to do "Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes" by Taj Mahal for the newlyweds' first dance. Smith spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday about the music plans, on the condition that the reporter honor a request by the Bush family not to rele...

By (AP)

A former college student accused of stealing people's credit to travel the world with her Ivy League boyfriend is nearing a federal plea deal, her lawyer said.

Jocelyn Kirsch, 22, and Edward Anderton, 25, are due in state court in Philadelphia on Monday for a preliminary hearing. They will not appear as the case is moved to federal court, the lawyer said.

"It's obviously been a difficult, taxing process for her and her family," lawyer Ronald Greenblatt told The Associated Press on Saturday. He declined to discuss details of the potential plea.

But given the scope of th...

By Paul Vernon (AP)

The Ohio Democratic Party no longer considers scandal-plagued Attorney General Marc Dann one of its own, voting Saturday to strip an officeholder of his endorsement for the first time in the organization's history.

Members of the state party's executive committee moved quickly with a voice vote after little discussion. Only one member of the roughly 150-member committee voiced a "no," and no one spoke in defense of the attorney general.

State leaders of both parties have been pressing Dann to resign. Dann admitted May 2 to an affair with a subordinate that he said contribute...

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