School storm protection is spotty in tornado zones
MOORE, Okla. (AP) -- With its single-story design and cinder-block walls, Plaza Towers Elementary School may have seemed sturdy when it was built a couple of generations ago. But a powerful tornado revealed the building's lack of modern safety standards, destroying the school and killing seven students.... 5/22/2013 5:29 PM

Okla. tornado damage: Thousands of homes, $1.5-$2B
MOORE, Okla. (AP) -- The tornado that struck an Oklahoma City suburb this week may have created $2 billion or more in damage as it tore through as many as 13,000 homes, multiple schools and a hospital, officials said Wednesday as they gave the first detailed account of the devastation.... 5/22/2013 6:25 PM

3rd grader who loved to sing among tornado victims
MOORE, Okla. (AP) -- Nicknamed `The Wall,' 8-year-old Kyle Davis loved soccer and going to Monster Truck exhibitions at the fairgrounds with his grandfather. JaNae Hornsby, 9, loved to draw, sing, and be a big sister and cousin to her younger relatives.... 5/22/2013 6:46 PM

Man shot to death while questioned in Boston probe
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A Chechen immigrant was shot to death by authorities early Wednesday after he turned violent while being questioned about his ties to one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, officials said.... 5/22/2013 5:52 PM

In Arias trial, TV cameras never far behind
PHOENIX (AP) -- The Jodi Arias trial had all the ingredients of a circus the minute it started: sex and violence, a defendant more than willing to seek the spotlight, a judge who extended leniency in allowing lengthy testimony and cameras in court - and a media-savvy sheriff ready and willing to set up jailhouse interviews with his most famous inmate.... 5/22/2013 6:15 PM

Arias jury deadlocks but must keep deliberating
PHOENIX (AP) -- Jurors in the Jodi Arias murder trial said Wednesday they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether she should be sentenced to life in prison or death for killing her one-time boyfriend, prompting the judge to instruct them to keep on trying.... 5/22/2013 6:58 PM

Boy Scout leaders to vote on lifting gay ban
GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) -- As protesters made one last stand, the Boy Scouts of America's leadership began a conference Wednesday that was expected to culminate in a long-anticipated vote on whether to allow openly gay Scouts - a decision that, either way, could deeply affect the organization's membership and funding.... 5/22/2013 6:47 PM

College fossil-fuel divestment movement builds
SWARTHMORE, Pa. (AP) -- Student activists at more than 200 colleges are trying a new tactic in hopes of slowing the pace of climate change: They are asking their schools to stop investing in fossil fuel companies.... 5/22/2013 6:34 PM

Minn. teen whose farewell song became web hit dies
LAKELAND, Minn. (AP) -- When high school student Zach Sobiech learned he didn't have much longer to live, his mother suggested he write letters to tell his loved ones goodbye. Instead, the Minnesota teenager turned to writing music - and his farewell song, "Clouds," became a YouTube sensation that has attracted more than 4 million views.... 5/22/2013 6:53 PM

1 child dead, 1 missing in Minn. park landslide
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A fourth-grade field trip to a Mississippi River park popular with fossil hunters turned deadly Wednesday when gravel saturated by persistent rain gave way, killing one child and injuring two others. A fourth child was missing.... 5/22/2013 6:35 PM