It’s a new year. And with every new year people make goals to drop weight, cut cholesterol or be healthy. Sometimes it lasts a lifetime and sometimes it only lasts the first two weeks before you can’t hold back the urge for a bowl of ice cream or hamburger. more

WASHINGTON— House Speaker John Boehner expressed doubts Wednesday that the Republican-led House and Democratic-controlled Senate could reach agreement on a budget and avoid automatic spending cuts … more

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returned home to Venezuela early Monday after more than two months of medical treatment in Cuba following cancer surgery. Chavez’s return … more

RENO, Nev. — There may or may not be too many horses on federal lands in the West, but a U.S. district judge says there’s not enough judicial staff in Nevada to deal anytime soon with an appeal … more

PHILADELPHIA — Beer lovers across the U.S. have accused Anheuser-Busch of watering down its Budweiser, Michelob and other brands, in class-action suits seeking millions in damages. The suits, … more

SEFFNER, Fla. — Crews on Sunday razed more than half of the Tampa-area home perched over a huge sinkhole that swallowed a man three days ago, managing to salvage some keepsakes for family members … more

DENVER — Jeff and Dorenda Bell threaded their way through a majestic fleet of Berkshires and Charlestons, as well as the more modest Ever-Lites and Grey Wolfs on Friday. They're not in the … more

NORTH PLATTE — A 20-year-old Wyoming man has pleaded no contest and been convicted of trying to rob a western Nebraska bank. Drew Steier, of Evanston faces sentencing on April 8. Prosecutors … more

SALT LAKE CITY — Reduce, reuse and keep on mining. That’s the message going out to Utah elementary students this spring in an Earth Day poster contest sponsored by the Utah Division of Oil, … more

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumers stepped up spending in February after their income jumped, aided by a stronger job market that offset some of the drag from higher taxes. The gains led economists to … more