Christian Science Monitor | USA

Car drives into a crowd at Appalachian Trail hikers' parade

Car drives into a crowd at a parade in Virginia Saturday. The car, driven by an elderly man, injured 50 to 60 people, but there were no fatalities in the crowd.

Did the Associated Press blow an Al Qaeda informant's cover?

Some officials say the Associated Press scoop on a thwarted terrorist plot by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen harmed the effort to neutralize a master bomb-builder. Does that excuse the Obama administration's aggressive crackdown on national security leaks?

Collision closes New York area train route as NTSB investigates (+video)

A team from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived Saturday to investigate a commuter rail collision that caused a prominent railroad line near New York City to be partially closed.

The South welcomes 'crazy ants.' Hail the latest invader

'Crazy ants' from South America are hitching rides across the South, setting up massive colonies, and relieving other occupying ant armies, including fire ants, of their duties.

IRS scandal becomes Republican battering ram against Obamacare (+video)

Republicans lawmakers say the scandal over Internal Revenue Service scrutiny of conservative groups raises new doubts about President Obama’s health-insurance reform law.

Cause of Connecticut train crash: Debris on the track? (+video)

An investigation is underway to determine what caused a New Haven-bound train to collide with a New York City-bound train in Connecticut on Friday night. Dozens were hospitalized following the crash on what is the busiest rail line in America, serving 125,000 commuters daily.

Plane makes belly landing at Newark airport (+video)

Plane makes belly landing Saturday with no injuries. A US Airways flight from Philadelphia made an emergency belly landing in Newark when the landing gear could not be lowered.

Powerball jackpot: Largest in history? (+video)

Officials predict last-minute sales will push the $600 million jackpot in Saturday night's Powerball lottery upward. The question remains whether these sales will push these possible winnings over the largest jackpot in history, $656 million (set by Mega Millions in March 2012).

Ken Venturi dies: What Jack Nicklaus says about him (+video)

Ken Venturi dies: What did Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer say about Ken Venturi, a 14-time PGA tour winner and CBS broadcaster?

Can Democrats find moderate candidates in time for midterms?

Democrats may struggle to recruit moderate and conservative-leaning candidates for the 2014 midterm elections in states with the most competitive Senate races.

Boy Scouts vote on allowing openly gay scouts

The Boy Scouts of America local troop leaders will vote Thursday on allowing openly gay boys to participate in the organization. The proposal, however, includes continuing a ban on gay scout leaders.

Federal judge blocks Arkansas law banning abortions after 12 weeks

On Friday, a federal judge granted an injunction against a law that would have banned most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The judge said the law was likely unconstitutional.

Warriors fans killed in shooting after playoff game (+video)

Warriors fans killed: Two men in a white Porsche were fatally shot after leaving the Golden State Warriors playoff game. The shooting stranded thousands of Warriors fans when I-880 was shut down.

Feds rooting out 'unwelcome speech' on campus: But what is that?

The failure of the University of Montana to respond adequately to sexual assault allegations has led to a broadening of how the federal government defines verbal harassment. Free speech advocates worry that the new policy will chill the right to speak freely on campus.

After tornado, Texas town begins to pick up the pieces

Though devastation is widespread, residents of Granbury, Texas will be able to return to their homes and retrieve what may be left after a huge tornado struck the town on Wednesday.

Monkey killer: 7-year sentence for Boise man

Monkey killer 7-year sentence: Michael Watkins was sentenced to 7 years for breaking into a Boise zoo and killing a monkey. But he will likely be eligible for release after 9-12 months.

Bulger girlfriend: Why she's still getting 8 years in jail

Bulger girlfriend, Catherine Greig, lost her appeal to reduce her 8-year prison sentence. Greig was alleged gangster James "Whitey" Bulger's girlfriend during his 16 years as a fugitive.

Preakness 2013 preview: Orb hopes inside track will lead to victory

Eight other horses will try to take down Kentucky Derby winner Orb Saturday at the Preakness in Maryland.

O.J. Simpson's former lawyer takes the stand, gives damaging testimony

Yale Galanter, former attorney to O.J. Simpson, defended himself on Friday against allegations that he botched Simpson's 2008 kidnapping and robbery trial. Galanter denied he knew of Simpson's plans before the crime was committed.

'Obamagate' danger for the GOP: political overreach

Republicans are jumping all over what they see as major scandals in the Obama administration, including Benghazi, the IRS, and checking journalists’ phone records. But some in the GOP are warning against the perception of overreach for partisan purposes.