Valentine Special

NY's Attorney General Sues Banks in Foreclosure Effort

Democrat goes after BofA and others, claiming “deceptive and fraudulent court submissions”

2012-02-03

Michael Gormley The Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York's attorney general on Friday accused some of the nation's largest banks of deceit and fraud in using an electronic mortgage registry that he said puts homeowners at a disadvantage in foreclosures. Read the complete article

Official: Second Teacher Pulled From Southern California School

More accusations at Miramonte Elementary, former employer of a teacher facing charges of abusing 23 children

2012-02-03

Greg Risling The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A second teacher has been pulled from a classroom at Miramonte Elementary School and the number of molestation complaints to the district has increased since a teacher was charged this week with photographing children for sexual thrills, authorities said Friday. Read the complete article

Bailout Will Swing to $23 Billion Loss This Year, Report States

Expected loss is due mainly to drop in the stock prices of GM and insurer AIG

2012-02-03

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new report says the government's financial bailout program will see a $23 billion loss in the year that ended Sept. 30, compared with a $37 billion gain on taxpayers' investment the year before. Read the complete article

Komen Drops Plan to Cut Planned Parenthood Grants

Group had said it was stopping funding for breast-cancer screening

2012-02-03

David Crary AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- After three days of controversy, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity says it is reversing its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. Read the complete article

VIDEO: Obama Links Economic Policies to Christian Faith

At National Prayer Breakfast, president says tax and health plans stem from his values

2012-02-02

Julie Pace The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama linked his economic policies to his Christian faith, saying on Thursday that meeting the nation's challenges requires strong values as much as smart policies. Read the complete article

More Than 20 Million Resist Census Race Labels

Write-in responses such as “Mexican” a sign of shifting notions of diversity in America

2012-02-02

Hope Yen The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When the 2010 census asked people to classify themselves by race, more than 21.7 million - at least 1 in 14 - went beyond the standard labels and wrote in such terms as "Arab," "Haitian," "Mexican" and "multiracial." Read the complete article

Cornelius' Legacy Lives On in Chicago

South Side native began “Soul Train” at city’s WCIU-TV in 1970 and roots remained strong

2012-02-02

Karen Hawkins and Don Babwin The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) -- When this proud city welcomed back hometown hero Don Cornelius last year, it wasn't just Chicago-style - it was "Soul Train" style, complete with Afro wigs, bell bottoms and hip-shaking in the streets. Read the complete article

VIDEO: Egyptians Blame Military for Deadly Soccer Riot

Many in country say police allowed attack on group that has been at front of political protests

2012-02-02

Maggie Michael The Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) -- Egyptians ranging from soccer fans to lawmakers blamed the country's military rulers for a bloody post-match riot Thursday as anger mounted over the failure of police to stop the violence when a narrow stadium exit turned into a death trap in a seaside city north of the capital. Read the complete article

Treasure Hunter Takes Aim at $3 Billion Sunken Bounty

Merchant ship with huge load of platinum was torpedoed in 1942

2012-02-02

Clarke Canfield The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- A shipwreck hunter says he has found the wreck of a World War II merchant ship that was torpedoed by a German U-boat off Cape Cod with a load of platinum now valued at $3 billion - perhaps the richest hoard ever discovered at the bottom of the sea. Read the complete article

Aaron Campbell Settlement: $1.2 Million

Payout announced in police-involved shooting death of man in mental health crisis

2012-02-01

'On behalf of the Campbell family, I am pleased to say that we have settled the claims relating to Aaron's death for $1.2 million.' Read the complete article