The cleanup of an unknown amount of thick, sticky oil that spilled into the Galveston Bay blocked traffic Sunday between the Gulf of Mexico and one of the world's busiest petrochemical transportation waterways, affecting all vessels, even cruise ships.

Dr. William Gray forecasts fewer tropical storms for next year than the record-breaking total of 2005.

A hard freeze overnight left roads in the South even more treacherous Thursday after snow and sleet caused power outages, snarled traffic and prompted South Carolina's governor to call up the National Guard to help stranded drivers.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl spent nearly five years in captivity.

The owner of a tour company whose bus exploded and killed 23 nursing home residents as they fled Hurricane Rita pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and safety violations.

Although drought conditions have improved in many regions of the United States, higher than average summer temperatures and patchy rainfall over the summer has contributed to one of the worst wildfire seasons on record.

High Point's John Brown has been named first team NABC All-District.

New Orleans residents are kicking off Mardi Gras with an upbeat parade and a bit of satire.

Police said 200 people were inside the church celebrating

But many traders said energy prices were likely to continue to rise, as a significant demand slowdown would not be immediate.

In some gas stations around the country, the price of a gallon of regular has dropped below $1.42. AAA and GasBuddy, two organizations that follow gasoline prices, say that gasoline prices below $2 will not be unusual in most of the United States.

Daylight-saving "War Time" went into effect in the United States, with clocks turned one hour forward in 1942..

With food and water running out, governments in Central America and Mexico scrambled to reach isolated areas devastated by a week of intense rain.

A recent survey shows gas prices are up because of Hurricane Rita's impact on Gulf Coast refineries.