The Congressional Budget Office has sharply revised down the outlook for the federal budget deficit. Some temporary factors are being cited for the projected improvement. Keeping the deficit on a downward path may depend on the economy, analysts say.

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A new charter school in Utah wants to equip students in kindergarten through ninth grade with a solid foundation in business. The principal insists it's not just a pint-sized business school. The goal is to give kids a well-rounded education that is also applicable in the real world.

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Activists are calling for a full investigation, and possibly lawsuits, following revelations that the IRS flagged so-called patriot groups for scrutiny in applications for federal tax-exempt status. Groups say they were asked about rallies, Facebook and Twitter activity.

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Activists are calling for a full investigation, and possibly lawsuits, following revelations the IRS flagged so-called Patriot groups for scrutiny in applications for federal tax-exempt status. Groups say they were asked about rallies, Facebook and Twitter activity.

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A low-sodium diet may cause more health problems than a medium-sodium diet, a new report found. But some health advocates say focusing on the potential risks of a low-sodium diet distracts from the more important conversation about how to get Americans to start consuming less salt.

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The NBA will soon crown another team as the best. And another MVP will be named. But commentator Frank Deford says such titles of greatness are fleeting.

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The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines must submit plans Wednesday for ending the policy that keeps women from serving in ground combat positions. The move will open up more than 200,000 positions in the military to them, but the change won't end questions about the role of women in the armed forces.

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The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines must submit plans Wednesday for ending the policy that keeps women from serving in ground combat positions. The move will open up more than 200,000 positions in the military to them, but the change won't end questions about the role of women in the armed forces.

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With budgets tight, the court in San Joaquin County, Calif., stopped hearing all small claims cases in September. More than 800 people have since filed claims with no hearing dates in sight. Many other counties nationwide are experiencing similar delays for civil cases as they grapple with spending cuts.

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With budgets tight, the court in San Joaquin County, Calif., stopped hearing all small claims cases in September. More than 800 people have since filed claims with no hearing dates in sight. Many other counties nationwide are experiencing similar delays for civil cases as they grapple with spending cuts.

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With budgets tight, the court in San Joaquin County, Calif., stopped hearing all small claims cases in September. More than 800 people have since filed claims with no hearing dates in sight. Many other counties nationwide are experiencing similar delays for civil cases as they grapple with spending cuts.

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The Army sergeant, who faces accusations of pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates, was suspended from all duties, but hasn't been charged. The accusations come just days after a similar case involving an officer in the Air Force's sexual assault response office.

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Former Ambassador Thomas Pickering says he and Adm. Michael Mullen should be allowed to clear up 'unfounded' criticisms against the investigative board.

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The sudden eruption of second-term scandals in his administration will have many costs for President Obama, but surely the most grievous will be the lost opportunity to transcend the partisan wars of Washington, his fondest dream for his second term, much as it was for his first. Now it seems destined to be dashed once again.

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Only a small core of the 2,300-year-old Mayan structure remains after earth-moving equipment destroyed the rest, archaeologists say.

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Israel Keyes confessed to murdering as many as 11 people across the country before killing himself in 2012. But Keyes didn't name his victims, and efforts to identify them have been frustrated by a lack of a federally mandated national missing persons database.

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Dr. Kermit Gosnell was spared the death penalty after he agreed to give up his right to an appeal. Gosnell, 72, was found guilty Monday of first-degree murder in three illegally performed late-term abortions.

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The striking image of grief-stricken men carrying two boys to a mosque for their funeral was named the World Press Photo of the Year in February. Recently, critics have questioned the photo's authenticity. The photographer says he did nothing out of the ordinary with the image.

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The country is gearing up for a presidential election next month, and the lack of a clear front-runner, analysts say, is a sign the political elite isn't united behind a single candidate. The late entrance of a former president, in particular, will likely alter the shape of the race.

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The International Energy Agency says U.S. shale output and petroleum from Canada's tar sands are transforming global energy markets.

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