State

• Man suspected in 8 slayings pleads not guilty in 1

• Former Chicago alderman admits taking payoffs

National

• Federal investigators declare anthrax case closed

• Search on for 9 victims in wildfire chopper crash

• Sweeping tobacco regulation bill has loophole

• Budget deficit to hit record $400B

• Post office posts $1 billion loss

International

• China rejects Bush criticism of its affairs

• Bin Laden driver to seek leniency from Gitmo jury

• Pakistan coalition cranks up pressure on Musharraf

• Olympic torch takes historic run on Great Wall

• Protesters rounded up by Beijing police

Election

• McCain to discuss potential job losses in Ohio

• Island life in multiracial Hawaii shaped Obama

ODD & Extraordinary

• 26 teen cheerleaders rescued from crammed elevator

• Slingshot wrong way to get girlfriend's attention

• Mexican woman fights off lion with machete

• Boy, 11, fires ace in just his 3rd time golfing

• Wash. letter carrier going full kilt ahead

Science, Technology & The Environment

• DNA tests to study mummy fetuses in King Tut tomb

• SpaceX finds cause of failed private rocket launch

Entertainers, Entertainment and the Arts

• Federal investigators drop Ledger drug inquiry

• Pop culture and politics can be a tricky mix

Today

• This day in history

• The nation's weather