Lou the mule credited with saving Tennessee woman from house fire Jolene Solomon is beginning the new year with her life, her mule named Lou and little else.

Former Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush won't run for Senate in 2010, saying it's not the 'right time' Former Gov. Jeb Bush says he won't run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 to replace the retiring Mel Martinez.

Burris rejected at Capitol as he tries to claim Obama's Illinois Senate seatBurris rejected at Capitol as he tries to claim Obama's Illinois Senate seat Roland Burris tried to take President-elect Barack Obama's Illinois Senate seat Tuesday but failed in a scripted piece of political theater staged just before the opening of the 111th Congress.

Apple's Macworld finale includes iTunes songs at 69 cents and end of copy protectionApple's Macworld finale includes iTunes songs at 69 cents and end of copy protection Apple Inc. is cutting the price of some songs in its market-leading iTunes online music store to 69 cents and plans to begin selling all tracks without copy protection.

India's national airline fires 9 flight attendants deemed overweight Nine flight attendants who couldn't meet the weight standards of India's national airlines have been fired, an official said Tuesday.

Facing Baby Boom onslaught, Social Security unveils online application that takes15 minutes The Social Security Administration, bracing for the coming eligibility of 80 million baby boomers, is introducing an online application that will allow people to apply for retirement benefits in as

Secretary of Senate refuses to seat Roland Burris of IllinoisSecretary of Senate refuses to seat Roland Burris of Illinois Roland Burris announced Tuesday he was rejected for Barack Obama's Senate seat, in a bizarre rainy-day scene on the Capitol grounds as lawmakers awaited the gaveling of the 111th Congress into sess

Burris says he's planning to appear Tuesday to be seated in the US SenateBurris says he's planning to appear Tuesday to be seated in the US Senate Barack Obama's appointed successor declared Tuesday he's qualified to take a seat in the Senate and said he'll go to Capitol Hill to do just that.

6 countries see halt in Russian gas shipments via Ukraine; EU calls cutoff 'unacceptable' Six countries reported a complete shutoff of Russian gas shipped via Ukraine on Tuesday, in a sharp escalation of a struggle over energy that threatens Europe as winter sets in.

New Congress, dominated by Democrats, to press Obama agenda amid an economic crisisNew Congress, dominated by Democrats, to press Obama agenda amid an economic crisis The Democratic-dominated Congress convenes Tuesday to confront perhaps the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and to grapple with a hugely ambitious agenda set by President-elect Bara

Cross-dressing Mass. dermatologist convicted of killing wife found hanged in prison cellCross-dressing Mass. dermatologist convicted of killing wife found hanged in prison cell A cross-dressing, millionaire Harvard dermatologist serving life in prison for shooting his estranged wife to death has been found hanged in his cell, a prison spokeswoman said Tuesday.

CBS 'Late Late Show' host Craig Ferguson reveals he got married over the holidaysCBS 'Late Late Show' host Craig Ferguson reveals he got married over the holidays You couldn't miss the wedding band on Craig Ferguson's ring finger when he returned to CBS' "The Late Late Show" from his holiday break.

Bush counterterrorism official foresees more aggressive campaign under Obama administrationBush counterterrorism official foresees more aggressive campaign under Obama administration President-elect Barack Obama apparently plans a more aggressive approach than the Bush administration to helping friendly nations get better at fighting terrorism within their own borders, the Stat

Obama says trillion-dollar deficits may last years despite recovery effortsObama says trillion-dollar deficits may last years despite recovery efforts President-elect Barack Obama says the nation probably faces huge deficits for years to come, but heavy spending is needed now to spur the economy.

Phillies' J.C. Romero, Yankees minor leaguer Mitre suspended 50 games for banned substancePhillies' J.C. Romero, Yankees minor leaguer Mitre suspended 50 games for banned substance Phillies reliever J.C. Romero and Yankees minor league pitcher Sergio Mitre were suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance.

Obama to create oversight board for economic stimulus plan; promises no earmarksObama to create oversight board for economic stimulus plan; promises no earmarks President-elect Barack Obama is promising that his economic stimulus plan won't include money for politicians' pet projects and will include provisions aimed at ensuring his administration is open

Online Islamic radicals scoff at White House announcing death of Bush family's cat Islamic militants posted sarcastic comments on an extremist Web site Tuesday ridiculing a recent announcement by First Lady Laura Bush that the family's cat had died.

Israeli tanks head closer to major cities in Gaza, civilian casualties mountIsraeli tanks head closer to major cities in Gaza, civilian casualties mount Israeli shells slammed into Gaza and ground forces edged closer to major population centers Tuesday, taking more civilian lives after Israel ignored mounting international calls for an immediate ce

Colt McCoy leads the way as No. 3 Texas rallies past No. 10 Ohio State 24-21 in Fiesta BowlColt McCoy leads the way as No. 3 Texas rallies past No. 10 Ohio State 24-21 in Fiesta Bowl The Texas Longhorns will be No. 1 on at least one ballot. It belongs to coach Mack Brown.

Obama stimulus plan includes billions in retroactive tax refunds for struggling businessesObama stimulus plan includes billions in retroactive tax refunds for struggling businesses President-elect Barack Obama's proposed stimulus package would provide businesses with billions of dollars in refunds on taxes they paid several years ago.

Unusual or Off-Beat

Utah woman spends day stuck headfirst down vent Talk about deep cleaning. An woman was recovering after spending more than a day lodged inside a vent at her home after falling in while vacuuming it. Ogden police Lt.

6-year-old takes family car after missing bus A 6-year-old Virginia boy who missed his bus tried to drive to school in his family's sedan—and crashed. His parents were charged with child endangerment.

Va 6-year-old takes family car after missing bus Having missed his bus, a 6-year-old Virginia boy tried to drive to school in his family's sedan—and crashed.

Boy, 4, shoots babysitter for stepping on his foot Police say an angry 4-year-old Ohio boy grabbed a gun from a closet and shot his baby sitter.

Man shot by his stepdad ends up in jail with him A man who police said was shot by his stepfather ended up in the same jail with him after officers discovered outstanding arrest warrants against the victim.