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Peppermint candy pigs are a smashing tradition in NY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — A holiday tradition in this upstate New York resort town has a peppermint twist: pig-shaped hard candies are sold with little metal hammers to smash them at Christmas. The peppermint pigs, which can weigh up to a pound, are considered …
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Pearl Harbor dead remembered on 71st anniversary
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — More than 2,000 people gathered at Pearl Harbor today to mark the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed thousands of people and launched the United States into World War II. Ceremonies got under way with a moment of …
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Illegal immigration drops after decade-long rise
WASHINGTON — New census data released Thursday affirm a clear and sustained drop in illegal immigration, ending more than a decade of increases. The number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. dropped to an estimated 11.1 million last year from a peak of 12 million …
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Black boxes in automobiles raise privacy concerns
WASHINGTON — Many motorists don’t know it, but it’s likely that every time they get behind the wheel, there’s a snitch along for the ride. In the next few days, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to propose long-delayed regulations requiring auto manufacturers …
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Wash. smokers rejoice as pot becomes legal
SEATTLE — The crowds of happy people lighting joints under Seattle’s Space Needle early this morning with nary a police officer in sight bespoke the new reality: Marijuana is legal under Washington state law. Hundreds gathered at Seattle Center for a New Year’s Eve-style countdown …
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Man’s home is a 14-foot canoe in Boston Harbor
BOSTON — They say no man is an island, but Michael Richard Smith has been creating his own floating homes in Boston Harbor. The Coast Guard and Boston police are keeping an eye on the unconventional camper who has been tying his canoe to small …
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Mom takes sick girl from hospital
PHOENIX (AP) — Emily has leukemia. She just underwent a month of chemotherapy and had her right arm amputated after suffering complications. Doctors say she is at risk of dying from an infection. But the sick 11-year-old isn’t in a hospital. Her mother last week …
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U.S. home prices rise in Oct. by most in 6 years
WASHINGTON (AP) — A measure of U.S. home prices rose 6.3 percent in October compared with a year ago, the largest yearly gain since July 2006. The jump adds to signs of a comeback in the once-battered housing market. Core Logic also said Tuesday that …
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Nativity scene Jesus returned – Replacement swiped
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A baby Jesus figure taken from a Pennsylvania church’s Nativity scene last year was found cradled in the arms of a nearby statue, just hours before the replacement statue was swiped. The vintage figurine was taken last year from outside Chambersburg’s …
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Citigroup to cut more than 11,000 jobs
NEW YORK (AP) — Citigroup said today it will cut 11,000 jobs, a bold early move by new CEO Michael Corbat. The cuts amount to about 4 percent of Citi’s workforce of 262,000. The bank did not spell out how many of the jobs will …
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Mo. Powerball winner verified; Ariz.’s a mystery
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. (AP) — Sometimes it’s better to dream, particularly when reality means you’re not an instant multimillionaire. Bob Kangas realized Wednesday night that one of two winning Powerball jackpot tickets — a record $587.5 million — had been bought in Arizona, but he …
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Pot legalization no free ride to smoke
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Young voters helped pass laws legalizing marijuana in Washington and Colorado, but many still won’t be able to light up. Most universities have codes of conduct banning marijuana use, and they get millions of dollars in funding from the federal government, …
