Nation

United States Postal Service Tightens Belt
By Matt Appel
December 5, 2011 - 1:42pm
Changes include slower mail, elimination of 'first class mail'

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night can slow the delivery of mail, according to the United States Postal Service, but a financial crisis certainly can. 

On Monday, the USPS announced a list of cost-saving procedures to help the struggling agency. These include closing many local offices and eliminating the potential for mail to be delivered 'next day.'

National Unemployment Rate Drops
By Zachary Chase
December 2, 2011 - 4:47pm
First time below nine percent since 2009

The United States Labor Department reported that unemployment rate in the United States dropped to 8.6 percent in the month of November. That is a large decrease from the 9 percent reported at the end of October and the lowest the rate has been since March 2009.

Florida A&M University Takes Action Against Hazing
By Joshua Karnett
December 2, 2011 - 12:50pm
After the death of a drum major, the university investigates

Four students were asked to leave Florida A&M University for their suspected involvement in a hazing-related incident that led to the death of drum major Robert Champion.  Authorities have still not specified what exactly caused Champion’s death.

Church Bans Interracial Couples
By Juliana Pignataro
December 1, 2011 - 12:01pm
A Baptist church in Kentucky voted to pass resolution banning interracial couples from entering the church community

The Gulnare Free Will Church in Pike County, Kentucky, voted this Sunday to pass a resolution that would no longer allow interracial couples to be a part of the congregation. The ban was passed by a 9-6 vote. The vote was taken after a service, where 35-40 people attended, but many declined to vote, reported CBS News. According to the New York Daily News, the resolution stated that the tiny, all-white church "does not condone interracial marriage."

Feds Uncover 32 Tons of Marijuana in Border Tunnel
By Juliana Pignataro
December 1, 2011 - 11:19am
Narcotics were found in a 600-yard long underground tunnel at the border of the United States and Mexico

A secret passage was uncovered on Tuesday, revealing an underground drug cartel and 32 tons of marijuana. The seizure was the second largest in United States history, and the largest drug seizure ever linked to an underground tunnel, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 

Kansas Governor Apologizes to Teen
By Jen Folger
November 29, 2011 - 10:16am
Governor Sam Brownback apologized to a high school student Monday over a negative tweet on the teen's twitter

A senior from a Kansas high school, Emma Sullivan, went to a Youth in Government program last week with other students to learn about the political process. While Sullivan was listening to Kansas Governor Sam Brownback speak, she posted a disparaging tweet about the governor on her twitter account.

Traders Occupy Wall Street as US Stocks Surge
By Conor Hurley
November 28, 2011 - 4:36pm
Many stocks gain at least 3 percent due to holiday shopping and optimism about the European debt crisis

The Stock Market had a positive day on Monday amid the Occupy Wall Street Protests that are not only prevalant in New York City, but across the entire nation as well. The surge in stocks on monday have been attributed to a busy holiday shopping weekend which started with Black Friday. 

Pentagon Receives 'Bunker Busting Bomb'
By Juliana Pignataro
November 17, 2011 - 10:41am
Massive weapons has unprecedented capabilities to reach and destroy

The Pentagon has acquired a massive new "bunker busting bomb," the largest of it's kind in the world. The 30,000 pound bomb, known as a massive ordnance penetrator (MOP), is designed to target weapons of mass destruction hidden in secure underground facilities. 

U.S. Troops Head To Australia, Irk China
By Ben Fontana
November 16, 2011 - 8:44pm
President Obama says that the Asia-Pacific region will play a key role in defining the world's future

According to the New York Times, President Obama announced Wednesday that the United States would deploy 2,500 Marines in Australia to shore up alliances in Asia, but the move prompted a sharp response in Beijing, which accused Mr. Obama of escalating military tensions in the region.

Rick Perry's "Oops" Moment Could Cost Him
By Matthew Hartley
November 10, 2011 - 1:15pm
Governor's mistake clears way for other candidates

Wednesday night's GOP debate featured an embarassing moment for Texas Governor Rick Perry. 

The Washington Post reports during the debate, Perry said there were three agencies of government he would eliminate when elected president.

Governor Perry proceded to name commerce and education. But he failed to name the third agency.