NEW YORK — Health officials say more than half a million young children are now believed to have lead poisoning in the United States.The figure is roughly twice the previous high estimate. But … more

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A small patch of prairie sits largely unnoticed off a desolate road in southwestern South Dakota, tucked amid gently rolling hills and surrounded by dilapidated structures and … more

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Gov. Matt Mead has signed a bill into law that will allow the use silencers on firearms for all types of hunting. Mead signed the bill on Monday and the law will go into effect … more

NEW YORK — Robin Roberts made her return to ABC's "Good Morning America" Wednesday, five months to the day after receiving a bone marrow transplant and a year since she started feeling symptoms of … more

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed documents officially submitting top administration nominations to the Senate. In a traditional inauguration signing ceremony in the U.S. Capitol … more

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The governor on Monday sidestepped a decision about whether a condemned inmate was too fat to be humanely executed by sparing the prisoner on the grounds that he had poor legal … more

PORTLAND — A lawyer for Nike told Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber the company was looking to expand outside the state unless it promised tax certainty. The statement was made in an email in early … more

OKLAHOMA CITY — A federal appeals court has denied Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby’s request to block a portion of the federal health care law that requires the company provide insurance coverage … more

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid plummeted to a five-year low last week, a hopeful sign the job market may be improving. But much of the decline reflects seasonal … more

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri says it has identified the person who attacked and killed a 72-year-old research professor in a campus parking garage eight years ago. Protein chemist … more