US, Colombia OK accord widening American access to military bases

BOGOTA — In a private, low-key ceremony, the U.S. ambassador and three Colombian ministers signed a pact Friday giving American personnel expanded access to military bases in this drug-producing country, a deal that Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has called a threat to the region's security.

9 feared dead in Coast Guard, Marine air collision off SoCal

SAN DIEGO — The nighttime collision of a Coast Guard aircraft on a rescue mission and a Marine helicopter left nine people feared dead at sea Friday as investigators tried to solve the mystery of how the air crews failed to see each other in a heavily used military area.

9 feared dead in Coast Guard, Marine air collision off SoCal

New Gila casino is state's largest

Even as Indian gaming revenues flag amid the sour economy, a tribe south of Phoenix today is to open a $215 million hotel and casino south of Phoenix.

New Gila casino is state's largest

2 coyotes fatally attack female hiker in eastern Canada

TORONTO — Two coyotes attacked a promising young musician as she was hiking alone in a national park in eastern Canada, and authorities said she died Wednesday of her injuries.

Shocking truth about man's father revealed here

How many fathers have built a machine whose sole purpose is sending paralyzing electrical current through the arms of small children?

Shocking truth about man's father revealed here

Gators, Longhorns gain BCS advantage with easy schedules

Scheduling tough opponents might not be the best formula for BCS success.

Gators, Longhorns gain BCS advantage with easy schedules

Bridge

Declarer sometimes finds that what at first seemed to be an easy assignment suddenly changes its complexion due to an unlucky lie of the opposing cards. In many such deals, declarer may be helpless, but in some of them he can overcome the bad luck in one way or another.

Bridge

Karst comes of age for Wildcats

When the Arizona Wildcats volleyball team beat Arizona State last week in Tempe for the first time since 2005, the Cats displayed one of their most balanced scoring efforts.

Karst comes of age for Wildcats

Quite a different motor dealer

In a city dotted with acres of vacant used-car lots, weeds sprouting up through the pavement cracks and sun-faded plastic pennants blowing in the wind, Vail Motors is a breath of weird air.

Quite a different motor dealer

Crack 'kits' seized at 3 liquor stores

Three people were arrested Wednesday after Tucson police searched three north-side liquor stores suspected of selling kits officials said are used to smoke crack cocaine.