In this photo taken Oct. 26, 2013, guests and residents of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity gather on the lawn prior to an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) by Jay ReevesAssociated Press Writer TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - New multimillion-dollar mansions with white columns, wide balconies and grand foyers line the streets at the University of Alabama, and more are under construction to accommodate the school's booming enrollment and record membership in Greek-letter groups. But with the powerful Greek system embroiled in controversy over claims of racism and electioneering, some wonder whether the massive expansion serves only to consolidate their power.
A resident passes by toppled car outside an airport terminal after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) by Jim GomezAssociated Press Writer TACLOBAN, Philippines (AP) — The death toll from one of the strongest storms on record that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban could reach 10,000 people, officials said Sunday after the extent of massive devastation became apparent and horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees. Regional police chief Elmer Soria said he was briefed by Leyte provincial Gov. Dominic Petilla late Saturday and told there were about 10,000 deaths in the province, mostly by drowning and from collapsed buildings. The governor's figure was based on reports from village officials in areas where Typhoon Haiyan slammed Friday. Tacloban city administrator Tecson Lim said that the death toll in the city alone "could go up to 10,000." Tacloban is the Leyte provincial capital of 200,000 people and the biggest city on Leyte Island. About 300-400 bodies have already been recovered, Lim said. A mass burial was planned Sunday in Palo town near Tacloban.
Detroit Mayor-elect Mike Duggan listens during a news conference at his campaign headquarters in Detroit, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos by Corey Williams Associated Press Writer DETROIT (AP) — Detroit's mayor-elect said Wednesday that far too much had been made of his skin color during a successful campaign that will make him the predominantly Black city's first White mayor in four decades. Appearing at his first news conference as mayor-elect, Mike Duggan said he would meet over the next two days with Michigan's governor and Detroit's current leaders, including the state-appointed emergency manager who currently controls the cash-strapped city's checkbook.
Democratic candidate for Mayor of Pittsburgh, City Councilman Bill Peduto, right, walks with his communications director Sonya Toler on his way to vote in the Pennsylvania primary election on May 21. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic/File) PITTSBURGH (AP) — Democrat Bill Peduto has defeated a pair of weak opponents in his bid for a four-year term as Pittsburgh's next mayor.
Elle Benet (Courtesy Photo) by Blair AdamsFor New Pittsburgh Courier (NNPA)--When Elle Benet looks back on her childhood, the memories are almost unbearable. For 18 years she lived in a world defined by verbal abuse and was part of a church that forced its members to live a life so austere that the outside world was held in disdain.
Mayor Rob Ford is flanked by security at City Hall in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013. by Rob GillesAssociated Press Writer TORONTO (AP) — Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford repeated this weekend that he won't resign despite mounting pressure for him to step aside after police said they had obtained a copy of a video that appears to show him puffing on a crack pipe.
This photo provided by the FBI shows Paul Ciancia, 23. Authorities say Ciancia pulled a semi-automatic rifle from a bag and shot his way past a security checkpoint at the airport, killing a security officer and wounding other people. Ciancia was injured in a shootout and taken into custody, police said. (AP Photo/FBI) by Tami Abdollah and Gillian Flaccus Associated Press Writers LOS ANGELES (AP) — The unemployed motorcycle mechanic suspected in the deadly shooting at the Los Angeles airport set out to kill multiple employees of the Transportation Security Administration and hoped the attack would "instill fear in their traitorous minds," authorities said Saturday. Paul Ciancia was so determined to take lives that, after shooting a TSA officer and going up an escalator, he turned back to see the officer move and returned to finish him off, according to surveillance video reviewed by investigators. In a news conference announcing charges against Ciancia, U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. spelled out a chilling chain of events at LAX that began when Ciancia strode into Terminal 3, pulled a Smith & Wesson .223-caliber assault rifle from his duffel bag and fired repeatedly at point-blank range at a TSA officer. The officer was checking IDs and boarding passes at the base of an escalator leading to the main screening area. After killing that officer, Ciancia fired on at least two other uniformed TSA employees and an airline passenger, who were all wounded. Airport police eventually shot him as panicked passengers cowered in stores and restaurants.
New York City Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota, left, and Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio, participate in their first televised debate at WABC/Channel 7 studios on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013 in New York. The debate, the first of three before the Nov. 5 general election, was hosted by the New York Daily News, WABC-TV, Noticias 41 Univision and the League of Women Voters. (AP Photo/The Daily News, James Keivom, Pool) by Jonathan Lemire and Colleen LongAssociated Press WritersNEW YORK (AP) — Front-running mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio faces political and legal dilemmas now that a judge's ruling critical of the police department's stop-and-frisk tactic has been blocked.
Former Pittsburgh police Chief Nathan Harper, right, walks past news photographers as he arrives at Federal Court where he pleaded guilty on federal charges on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) by Joe MandakAssociated Press Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former city police Chief Nathan Harper pleaded guilty to federal charges that he conspired to steal police funds deposited into unauthorized credit union accounts and willfully failed to file income tax returns.
No Sagging Sign by Cierra Duncan HOUSTON (NNPA)-– Should “sagging” be banned? Some establishments think so. Two Houston McDonald’s locations recently joined the list of Texas restaurants that have banned customers wearing sagging pants with their underwear showing. Signs placed on the doors read, “Pull your pants up or don’t come in. Try to have some decency and respect for others. No one wants to see your underwear.” Children under the age of three are exempt.
