Top Stories

• NYC man accused of killing 5 of his girlfriend's cats pleads guilty to slaying 1 kitten

  NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City graphic designer accused of surreptitiously killing a series of his girlfriend's cats has admitted slaying one of them, a kitten found with a broken neck. more

• Balloon boy father transferred from Colorado jail to start work-release part of sentence

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — The man who pleaded guilty in the balloon boy hoax has been released from a Colorado jail to serve the rest of his sentence in a work-release program. more

• Mass. teen denies high school stabbing on jail tapes; lawyers seek to suppress recordings

  WOBURN, Mass. (AP) — In a recorded jailhouse conversation, a teenager charged with fatally stabbing another student at a suburban high school told a friend he was being "persecuted" because he stayed behind to help the victim. more

• Attorneys seek new trial for man convicted of murdering Kan. abortion provider

  WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Attorneys for a man convicted of murdering a prominent Kansas abortion provider have asked for a new trial or an order of acquittal for their client. more

• DA: Warrant issued for former Philadelphia officer in off-duty shooting of neighbor

  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A murder warrant was issued Monday against a former Philadelphia police officer accused of fatally shooting a neighbor during an off-duty altercation in November. more

• AP Interview: NY Gov. Paterson lashes back at rumors, reports he says are false Photo

  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson is lashing back at what he calls an assault on his character that includes accusations about womanizing and drug use. more

• With another storm barreling eastward, Philly prepares for its snowiest winter on record

  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Another huge snowstorm is expected to smack the Philadelphia area this week and make it the snowiest winter on record in the city. more

• 6 members of suspended Rutgers sorority plead not guilty to charges of hazing pledges

  NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Six members of a suspended Rutgers University sorority have pleaded not guilty to charges of hazing. more

• Mountain dwellers evacuated after NC mudslide, urged to stay away for weeks due to danger

  MAGGIE VALLEY, N.C. (AP) — Residents are being urged to stay away from their North Carolina mountainside homes after a 30-foot-high mudslide washed over their road. more

• US troops who have died while serving in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa

  Marine Cpl. Jamie R. Lowe more