ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – A Maryland lawmaker has apologized for using a police boat and helicopter to create a diversion so he could surprise his girlfriend with a marriage proposal. Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld told reporters Tuesday that Delegate Jon Cardin also offered to pay expenses from the incident. The department is investigating. Cardin, […]

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) – A Vermont man who accidentally shot his 17-year-old son to death while they were turkey hunting has pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in exchange for a deferred three-year sentence. Kevin J. Kadamus shot his son as the two hunted in Wheelock, Vt., on the first day of turkey hunting […]

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congressional liberals are telling the Obama administration that a health overhaul bill cannot pass unless it includes a new government-run insurance option. The Congressional Progressive Caucus, made up of more than 80 liberal House members, wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expressing opposition to her weekend comments suggesting a […]

CINCINNATI (AP) – For the first time, the celebrity leading a massive, yearly dance in downtown Cincinnati will be a cartoon character. Homer Simpson – or someone dressed like the patriarch of TV’s popular cartoon family – will be out in front of what they call the World’s Largest Chicken Dance, part of the city’s […]

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (AP) – A Southern California family got a slithery surprise when an 11-foot python turned up in their front yard. Francisco Delgadillo says he was chatting with his sister on their porch Sunday night in Lake Elsinore when he saw an enormous snake moving across the fenced yard. The first animal control […]

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) – Authorities say a man was driving to the Gillette police station to report his Ford Bronco was stolen when he spotted the vehicle and confronted the driver. The driver fled, but police arrested a 16-year-old boy a short time later on suspicion of larceny. His name wasn’t released. Police claim the […]

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – The economy may be people’s biggest worry, but the need for health care reform shouldn’t be overlooked, Gov. John Baldacci said. In his weekly radio address, Baldacci said the state has made strides to improve the health care system and now is the time faction at the national level. “We can’t […]

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine’s 2010 gubernatorial race is showing more signs of activity. Republican hopeful Peter Mills has launched a Web site www.MillsforMaine.com that includes a news blog, blueprint for state government, biographical details and video greeting. The site was built by volunteers. Democrat Rosa Scarcelli kicked off her campaign with scheduled stops in […]

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is part of a congressional delegation that’s visiting the Middle East. Collins, a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is accompanied by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-N.C. Collins’ office said a detailed itinerary is not being released for […]

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – The Baldacci administration is defending itself against a charge by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights referendum campaign. TABOR II campaign officials said Gov. John Baldacci’s public safety commissioner, Anne Jordan, abused her power by sending an e-mail to the governor’s staff about the impact of the proposed spending curb law. It […]