GOP ponders how to capitalize on Obama's woes

(AP) Consumer spending is likely to pick up this year while government spending declines at a faster rate, according to a survey of business economists.

(AP) China is urging North Korea to release a Chinese fishing boat whose owner says it was seized by gun-toting North Koreans earlier this month and held for ransom, in the...

(AP) Evidence of a steady economic recovery in the U.S. helped push Asian stock markets higher Monday.

(AP) A businesswoman in southern China has been sentenced to death in the government's latest crackdown on underground lending that is widely used by entrepreneurs.

Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.

WILKES-BARRE — Former Luzerne County Sheriff Carl Zawatski who died last week was remembered for his professionalism by people who worked with him.

The Associated PressLOS ANGELES — “Star Trek: Into Darkness” had a $70.6 million domestic launch from Friday to Sunday, a debut that's lower than the studio's expectations.

Getting there is getting a little easier with an online service matching drivers and riders for the commute to and from work.

WILKES-BARRE — When Nancy Swiger photographed a tulip in her neighbor's yard she knew it was right for the Fine Arts Fiesta.

Luzerne County Council will hold a special meeting on election night Tuesday to vote on the nomination of Joan Hoggarth as judicial services and records division head.

WILKES-BARRE — “Recovery” was the word of the day Sunday at the 12th annual National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk.

WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Guest speaker Anne Thompson, NBC News chief environmental affairs correspondent, told members of the King's College Class of 2013 to follow their passion in life during the school's 64th annual commencement Sunday at the Mohegan Sun...

PLAINS TWP. — While a January outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease in Pittsburgh has many concerned with hospital cleanliness, officials at the area's veterans hospital say patients there can rely on new technology to ensure a clean and healthy...

EXETER — A Plains Township man was arraigned Saturday for charges of theft by deception, court documents say.

WASHINGTON — The president and chief executive officer of The Associated Press on Sunday called the government's secret seizure of two months of reporters' phone records “unconstitutional” and said the news cooperative had not ruled out...

WASHINGTON — A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only “when it came out in the news” while Republicans continued to press the administration for more...

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million — the highest Powerball jackpot in history.

WILKES-BARRE — The muddy paw marks remain on the outside of Ben Card's back door from when his neighbor's dogs chased him into his house.

The following is a list of regional graduates:MASTER OF EDUCATIONCurriculum and InstructionStephanie Lynn Ball, Nanticoke.Matthew Adam Balukonis, Jr., McAdoo.

SEOUL, South KoreaN. Korea fires new missileNorth Korea fired a projectile into waters off its eastern coast Sunday, a day after launching three short-range missiles in the same area, officials said.

JERUSALEM — Fears of an escalation of violence between Israel and Syria grew Sunday with renewed Israeli threats to destroy Syrian weapons caches and Syria's warnings of retaliation.

DAMASCUS, Va. — Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally, an emergency official said Sunday.

LAS VEGAS — The latest high-stakes court hearing for O.J. Simpson in the glitzy capital of big gambles has come to a close with the former football star's defense team feeling confident that their client is closer to getting out of prison.

EDMOND, Okla. — One of several tornadoes that touched down Sunday in Oklahoma turned homes in a trailer park near Oklahoma City into splinters and rubble and sent frightened residents along a 100-mile corridor scurrying for shelter.

>> YOU VOTE ME: Archaeologists have found mankind's first negative campaign ad on a cave wall in Spain. It reads “Thag think he can lead tribe. But Thag brain small. Thag knuckles scrape ground, he hunt with Neanderthal, and he vote with...

FORTY FORT — Forty Fort residents are advised there will be street sweeping on Wyoming Avenue from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Friends of the North Branch Land Trust gathered recently for the 20th annual fundraiser dinner at The Westmoreland Club to support the land and resource conservation nonprofit organization. Among those attending were Bridget Costello and Mike...

(AP) Syrian troops pushed into a rebel-held town near the Lebanese border on Sunday, fighting house-to-house and bombing from the air as President Bashar Assad tried to...

(AP) Giulia Molinaro won the Friends of Mission Charity Classic on Sunday for first Symetra Tour title, closing with a 7-under 65 for a five-stroke victory.

(AP) Hundreds of tons of frozen mutton, lamb and beef from New Zealand have been stranded on Chinese docks after China halted imports from the country due to a certification...

(AP) The police officer who accidentally killed a Long Island college student along with an armed intruder faced perhaps the most harrowing decision in law enforcement:...

(AP) Sunbathers headed to the beach this summer will find new sunscreen labels on store shelves that are designed to make the products more effective and easier to use. But...

EDMOND, Okla. — A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged roofs and structures near Oklahoma City and kicked up debris in Wichita, Kan.

Associated PressTAMARA LUSHAssociated PressEds: Adds comment from lotto spokesman. With AP Photos. With AP Video.

(AP) A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged roofs and structures near Oklahoma City and kicked up...

Let's face it: Everyone would like to achieve financial independence.But saying it is one thing. Getting there is a whole other story.First off, what exactly is financial independence?