U.S. National News

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  Covington Diocese Abuse Case Payout Drops AP - Mon Jan 9, 9:49 PM ET

  BURLINGTON, Ky. - The Covington Diocese could pay at least $35 million less to sex abuse victims than it had earlier pledged, attorneys said Monday as they announced a new deal that caps the church's payout at $85 million.

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  Ferry Pilot Apologizes for 2003 Crash AP - 35 minutes ago

  NEW YORK - The pilot who passed out at the helm of a ferry moments before a deadly 2003 crash delivered an impassioned apology to the families affected by the wreck that killed 11 people, saying at his sentencing that he is prepared to face his punishment.

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  Yates Pleads Not Guilty in Child Deaths AP - Mon Jan 9, 9:28 PM ET

  HOUSTON - Andrea Yates pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the drowning deaths of her children Monday as she made her first court appearance since her 2002 capital murder convictions were overturned.

• Seattle Nearing Record for Rainy Days AP - 28 minutes ago

  SEATTLE - After 22 consecutive days of measurable rain, Seattle is closing in on a record so dismal even forecasters in this city famous for its gray skies are complaining.

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  Prof, Wife Accused of Being Cuban Agents AP - Mon Jan 9, 9:48 PM ET

  MIAMI - A Florida college professor and his wife, a university administrator, were accused in federal court Monday of using their academic positions for decades as cover to spy on Americans for Cuba's communist government.

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  Two Said Tied to Slayings Returning to Va. AP - Mon Jan 9, 9:48 PM ET

  PHILADELPHIA - Two men arrested in Philadelphia in the killings of seven people were sent back to Virginia on Monday to face murder conspiracy charges.

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  'Sopranos' Actor Arraigned in Slaying AP - Mon Jan 9, 10:24 PM ET

  NEW YORK - Under the glare of off-duty police officers packing a Bronx courtroom, "Sopranos" actor Lillo Brancato Jr. and a co-defendant were arraigned Monday on charges that they killed a policeman who confronted them during a burglary.

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  Colorado Bans Open Fires After Wildfires AP - Tue Jan 10, 1:05 AM ET

  DENVER - Gov. Bill Owens banned open fires on much of the state's land Monday after watching flames scorch thousands of acres over the weekend and warm, dry weather put wide swaths of the Plains at risk unusually early in the year.

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  Jury Selection Under Way in Priest Slaying AP - Mon Jan 9, 6:15 PM ET

  BOSTON - Jury selection got under way Monday for the trial of a prison inmate accused of killing convicted pedophile priest John Geoghan, with some prospects expressing doubts they could be impartial in the highly publicized case.

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  Louisiana Governor, Senators Go to Holland AP - Mon Jan 9, 5:08 PM ET

  BATON ROUGE, La. - Gov. Kathleen Blanco left for Holland on Monday to learn how the Dutch created the huge flood-control system that protects a land much farther below sea level than Louisiana.

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  Eric Anthony Beard, Pilot, Dies in Crash AP - Mon Jan 9, 5:42 PM ET

  BURLINGTON, Wash. - Eric Anthony Beard, a former NASA engineer and lifelong aviation enthusiast who thrilled crowds around the country as a stunt pilot, was killed in a crash during a routine flight, authorities said.

• Judge Upholds N.Y. Muslim Terror Charges AP - Mon Jan 9, 2:53 PM ET

  ALBANY, New York - A judge refused Monday to dismiss charges against two Muslims accused of supporting terrorism, saying there was enough evidence to go forward despite defense arguments that the men were entrapped.

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  First Surgery for Iraqi Baby Completed AP - Mon Jan 9, 1:24 PM ET

  ATLANTA - The Iraqi infant known as Baby Noor underwent surgery Monday for her spinal birth defects, and doctors said the operation, the first of at least three, went well.

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  Trial to Begin for Alleged Iraqi Agent AP - Mon Jan 9, 4:03 AM ET

  INDIANAPOLIS - Prosecutors allege Shaaban Hafiz Ahmad Ali Shaaban tried to broker the sale of information to Iraqi officials shortly before war began to overthrow Saddam Hussein's dictatorship.

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  Rights Conference Focuses on Katrina AP - Sun Jan 8, 9:22 PM ET

  NEW YORK - New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina must be allowed to return and have the chance to profit from the rebuilding effort, NAACP President Bruce Gordon said Sunday.

• Man Accused of Racially Motivated Shooting AP - Sun Jan 8, 11:16 PM ET

  MOORHEAD, Minn. - A 67-year-old accused of shooting a man just because he is black faces trial this week on attempted murder and other charges.

Crimes and Trials News

• Samuel Alito: I will bring no agenda to the U.S. Supreme Court CourtTV - Mon Jan 9, 5:56 PM ET

  WASHINGTON (Court TV) — Judge Samuel Alito said Monday that if he were confirmed to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, his first duty would be to the Constitution, and not to any political agenda.

• Trial set for activists accused of slashing Republicans' tires on Election Day CourtTV - Mon Jan 9, 5:36 PM ET

  ( Court TV) — While much of the country will be focused this week on the highly partisan battles expected during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, five Milwaukee Democratic activists will be fighting their own battle: They are going to trial for allegedly slashing tires outside a Republican Party office during the 2004 presidential election.

• Teens face 20 years in prison for alleged lynching along country road CourtTV - Fri Jan 6, 5:10 PM ET

  (Cou rt TV) — Six teens will stand trial Monday under South Carolina's lynching law for the brutal beating of another teen along a country road.

• Lawyers Allege Cosby Gets 'Star Treatment' AP - Mon Jan 9, 6:02 PM ET

  PHILADELPHIA - Lawyers for a woman suing Bill Cosby over an alleged sexual assault complained to a judge Monday that the entertainer was getting "star treatment" in the court system.

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  US paper names woman journalist abducted in Iraq AFP - Mon Jan 9, 4:22 PM ET

  WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Christian Science Monitor named a female US journalist kidnapped in Iraq as freelancer Jill Carroll, who was on assignment for the US-based paper.