Doctors: No hamsters, exotics for kids

Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.

World markets plunge as turmoil spreads

Global stock markets plunged Monday as government bank bailouts in the U.S. and Europe failed to alleviate fears that the global financial crisis would depress economic growth.

8 die in bus rollover; driver DUI?

A bus driver with a history of motor vehicle offenses and substance abuse was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence  Monday after his casino-bound  bus ran into a ditch, killing eight.

Supreme Court to tackle cigarette, drug issues

In their new term beginning Monday, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court will be asked to decide how much authority state courts should have in granting big damage awards against the makers of prescription drugs and cigarettes.

McCain accuses Obama of lying

Republican John McCain on Monday called Democratic rival Barack Obama a liar as he leveled his harshest criticism yet, and said the campaign boils down to one question: Who is Obama really?

House panel decries Lehman bonuses

Days from becoming the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history, Lehman Brothers steered millions to departing executives, Congress was told Monday.

Crisis aside, many face other economic woes

The crisis on Wall Street is drawing attention away from the financial problems many Americans were already facing because of the weak economy.

Answer Desk:  Why not arrest CEOs?
The government's $700 billion plan to rescue the creaking financial system has prompted readers to ask, why can't we just arrest the CEOs responsible for this mess?

Great pumpkin is 1,900 pounds (and growing)

Steve Connolly hopes his ‘Beast from the East' will smash the current world record of 1,689 pounds. The problem is getting it to the weighing: "Lifting it at this time of the year is a tough thing. I'll have a fork truck come in."