Economists point to rising debt as next crisis

The Founding Fathers left one legacy not celebrated on Independence Day but which affects us all. It's the national debt, which is a staggering $11.4 trillion — about $37,000 for every American.

Rural S.C. terrorized by 5 killings in past week

A terrified rural South Carolina community hunkered down over the Fourth of July after the sheriff said a serial killer was on the loose, and longtime residents were reminded of a murderer who terrorized the town in the 1960s.

N. Korea marks July 4 with missile barrage

North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, a violation of U.N. resolutions and an apparent message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day.

Friends and foes call Palin's move inexplicable

Even for a nonconformist, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin defies political logic with her sudden, stunning announcement to leave office more than a year early.

Cops: Ariz. mom led sons on crime spree
The case of an Arizona mother who allegedly led her sons on a crime spree has outraged authorities and the public and drawn comparisons to "Ma Barker," the infamous mom in the early 1900s.

1.2 million apply for Jackson memorial tickets

More than a million fans from around the world applied for 17,500 free tickets to Michael Jackson's public memorial service next week, organizers said on Friday.

‘Car guys' retrain but downshift to lower pay
Big, burly and a "car guy" since high school, Tom Persinger worked for years at General Motors. Now he's a nurse's aide earning $12 an hour. "I've been humbled quite a bit," he said.

Colleges trying to ease veterans' transition
With a fattened GI Bill covering full tuition and more, the number of veterans attending college this fall is expected to jump 30 percent from last year to nearly half a million.

Lady Liberty's crown reopens

The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown in nearly eight years began the arduous climb on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom and national pride.

Chestnut downs 68 hot dogs to keep title

Reigning champ Joey Chestnut has logged his third consecutive win in Coney Island's annual hot dog eating contest with a world-record 68 franks.