ATLANTA (AP) -- Thousands of students are opting out of new standardized tests aligned to the Common Core standards, defying the latest attempt by states to improve academic performance.... READ MORE »

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- A natural gas pipeline explosion at a California sheriff's gun range shot flames well over 100 feet into the air, left 11 people injured and brought traffic on a busy... READ MORE »

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- State police say a woman blames her coffee-drinking pet parrot for distracting her moments before she crashed her car into a guardrail in Pennsylvania. Troopers from... READ MORE »

NEW YORK (AP) -- An office manager was arraigned Thursday on charges she posed as a dentist when the real dentist was away and seriously injured patients after pulling their teeth,... READ MORE »

CHICAGO (AP) -- She was born to a young Chicago couple, named Jennifer, and grew into a beautiful long-lashed child with wavy dark hair, big brown eyes and a yearning, youthful desire to be... READ MORE »

BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union's escalating legal attack on Google is likely to ignite a debate about whether the Internet search leader makes life more convenient for consumers or... READ MORE »

EBENSBURG (AP) -- Police were trying to find an efficient burglar who has quickly targeted at least four social or country clubs in western Pennsylvania, including three in one night... READ MORE »

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida postal worker who piloted a gyrocopter onto the U.S. Capitol lawn to call attention to his belief that campaign finance laws are too weak is "a... READ MORE »

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Dramatic dash-cam video released Tuesday shows a police officer in a Tucson suburb using his cruiser to ram an armed suspect, sending him flying in the air before the... READ MORE »

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Firefighters had to be called to help a 5-year-old Pennsylvania boy out of a tree after he climbed up 30 feet to see the inside of a squirrel nest. Mercedes... READ MORE »