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NY state pension funds face Lehman losses

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's pension funds for state workers and teachers face several hundred million dollars in losses from investments in troubled Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

Moments of silence mark 9/11 terrorist attacks

NEW YORK (AP) - Relatives of victims killed at the World Trade Center are observing moments of silence to mark the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

McCain to kick off final drive for presidency

ST. PAUL, M.N. (AP) - John McCain is preparing to give his primetime acceptance speech at the Republican Convention. Wednesday night his running mate, Sarah Palin, energized the convention crowd and also took plenty of swipes at the Democratic ticket.

New Orleans mayor allowing residents to return

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. (AP) - New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Gustav can go home Thursday -- but it's at their own risk.

Don LaFontaine, voice of movie trailers, dies

LOS ANGELES, C.A. (AP) - Don LaFontaine, the voice behind thousands of Hollywood movie trailers, has died. He was 68.

Gustav degraded to Tropical Storm; 1 million without power in region

NEW ORLEANS, LA (AP) - Gustav has weakened to a tropical storm as it crosses central Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center says the storm's maximum sustained winds have dropped to about 60 miles-an-hour.

Singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes dies at age 65

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards, has been found dead at home. He was 65.

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac dies at age 50

CHICAGO (AP) - Bernie Mac, the actor and comedian who teamed up in the casino heist caper "Ocean's Eleven" and gained a prestigious Peabody Award for his sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show," died Saturday at age 50.

Olympics competition underway

(BEIJING) – Even before the Olympic flame is lit Olympic competition has begun. And it starts with two surprises. The US Women’s soccer team was upset by Norway in their first preliminary round game. The Women’s World Champions from Germany finished their preliminary round game with a 0-0 tie against Brazil.

Whitaker named NBC News Washington bureau chief

NEW YORK (AP) - NBC has named a replacement for Tim Russert as head of the NBC News Washington Bureau. Former Newsweek editor Mark Whitaker will take over the post.