National

• New ag rule closing downer cow slaughter exception

• Feds help ailing student loan program

• Sen. Kennedy's family reeling after grim diagnosis

  • Unlike brothers, Ted Kennedy grew old in public

  • An aging Senate contends with time and illness

• Relatives outside sect seek custody in Texas case

• Worker charged with vandalizing military chopper

International

• Israel says it is holding peace talks with Syria

• State media: Myanmar shuns aid from US warships

• Cell phone beep marked days for China quake victim

Election

• Obama inching ever closer to nomination

• Clinton calls victory in Kentucky a vote of confidence

• Obama, McCain hold cash while Clinton sees debt

ODD & Extraordinary

• Lost parrot tells veterinarian his address

• Woman accused of biting off hubby's fingertip

• NYC restaurant offers $175 burger topped with gold

• Confused turkey smashes into Texas courthouse window

• Woman nabbed for alleged DUI at same crash spot

• Goat survives after 50-foot plunge from bridge

• Mysterious object flew off log splitter

• Mass. officer's gun goes off during safety class

• Man accused of repeatedly calling 911 for cab

The Arts & Entertainment

• Cowell: Archuleta wins 'Idol' in a 'knockout'

• Yamaguchi wins 'Dancing With the Stars'

• Ouch! Harrison Ford waxes chest to make a point

• Eastwood says he won't be back as Dirty Harry

Today

• This day in history

• The nation's weather