As of Saturday, May 17, 2008, at least 4,079 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Top legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty steppedout of their budget talks and onto the Capitol steps Saturday,breaking to mark Minnesota's 150th birthday even though they stillhaven't resolved all their differences on a session-ending budgetdeal.

Civil rights activists say the move to arm District of Columbia Police Department patrol officers with semiautomatic weapons is going overboard.

U.S. Sen. Edward Ted Kennedy was rushed to a hospital in Cape Cod, Mass., Saturday morning after falling ill, The Cape Cod Times reported.

An Illinois man received a 20-year prison sentence for drunken driving on his ninth DUI conviction, authorities said.

Two California men could spend 20 years behind bars after a federal jury found them guilty of operating an illegal medical marijuana business, officials said.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial board he backs a court ruling upholding the right of gay couples to marry.

A $5 million reward offered by the U.S. government for the capture of a top international terrorist suspect has been unsuccessful, authorities said.

U.S. soldiers returning from overseas military service should receive better benefits, U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., said Saturday.

A proposal by Detroit's mayor to sell half of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to fill the city's budget gap has just about been discarded, officials say.

Two Boston lawyers and seven mortgage brokers were among 11 people arrested in connection with an alleged $10.6 million loan-fraud scam, officials say.

The winning ticket for a $196 million Mega Millions jackpot was purchased at a liquor store in the village of Amelia, Ohio, a lottery spokeswoman says.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday arming Chicago police with semiautomatic rifles increases the need to ban assault weapons.

Some Michigan high school students say they feel untrusted after intense safety rules were put in place in response to the assault of a teacher.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters says the department's last action to up fuel efficiency requirements may be toughened in light of spiking fuel costs.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom says the recent legalization of same-sex marriages in California has vindicated his beliefs.

Benjamin Todd Jealous says he's ready to become the youngest national leader of the NAACP in the U.S. civil rights organization's 99-year history.

Were my wife running for public office, you can be sure I'd make a donation to her campaign - if only to show my support and encouragement. It's the natural thing for a husband or wife to do, I think

While the rising price of oil is quickly reflected in the dollars flowing into your gas tank, there's another energy source that's going up even faster than oil. In fact, the price has gone is up 100% in less than

Updates will follow as information becomes available: U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy was airlifted to a Boston hospital Saturday morning after falling ill at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, the Cape Cod Times reported. He was first rushed to Cape Cod