Rep. Patrick Kennedy says RI bishop has told him not to take Communion over pro-choice stance
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy said in a newspaper interview published Sunday....

Unified Democrats push health care bill past Senate hurdle, clearing way for full-scale debate
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A bruising debate on health care awaits the Senate after Thanksgiving now that the historic legislation has cleared a key hurdle over the opposition of Republicans eager to inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama....

Gunman in deadly Saipan rampage identified as Chinese caretaker of shooting range
SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (AP) -- The gunman who killed four people and wounded nine in a shooting rampage on the Pacific island of Saipan was identified Sunday as a Chinese national believed to be employed at the shooting range where the deaths occurred....

It's a girl: Atlantis astronaut's wait over as baby daughter Abigail born to wife back home
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Astronaut Randolph Bresnik is a new dad again, after launching into space and taking a spacewalk, all for the first time....

More Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving after last year's drop; most opt for car
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of Americans traveling away from home for Thanksgiving will be up only slightly this year from 2008, according to a report from the AAA auto club....

Fort Hood shooting suspect will remain hospitalized initially during pretrial confinement
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- The Army psychiatrist charged with killing 13 people at Fort Hood will be confined until his military trial, initially staying in a hospital where he is recovering from gunshot wounds, his attorney said Saturday....

Biden says Dems have more momentum than ever in health care debate, dismisses `noisy' critics
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden told Iowa Democrats on Saturday that the Senate handed the president a big victory with its decision to move forward with debate on sweeping legislation to overhaul the nation's health care system....

5 Long Beach high school students arrested in alleged groping of 9th-grade girls on campus
LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- Authorities say five male students have been arrested on suspicion of sexual battery after two ninth-grade girls were attacked at a Long Beach high school....

Michael Jackson's gleaming glove sells for $350K _ plus tax _ at NYC auction
NEW YORK (AP) -- The shimmering, white glove Michael Jackson wore when he premiered his trademark moonwalk dance in 1983 was auctioned off for $350,000 - plus tax - on Saturday....

3-alarm fire on Atlantic City boardwalk pier under control; 3 shops damaged
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Officials say a three-alarm fire on the boardwalk in Atlantic City has been declared under control....