LONDON – It was not what Derek Nash expected to find in his 5-year-old’s school bag: A bill demanding a “no-show fee” for another child’s birthday party. Nash said the bill from another parent sought 15.95 pounds ($24.00) because his son Alex had not attended the party at a ski …

DES MOINES, Iowa – When they were built, parking garages were supposed to help save downtowns from being eclipsed by suburban developments. But decades after cities tore down buildings and replaced them with parking structures, communities across the country are demolishing the garages. In their place, they’re putting up buildings …

CASTLETON, Vt. – A college in Vermont is searching for its missing 4-foot-long Brazilian rainbow boa constrictor. Castleton State college sent out a campus-wide email asking students and staff to keep an eye out for the snake, which was discovered missing from its cage Tuesday at the college’s zoology lab. …

BELLE VERNON, Pa. – A tractor-trailer driver threw items from his cab at police — including socks, shoes and a small refrigerator — as he led them on a 34-mile chase in western Pennsylvania, authorities said Sunday. Police in Westmoreland County said a man called emergency dispatchers just before 2 …

NEW ORLEANS – Viking River Cruises, a major European river cruise company, is coming to New Orleans and the Mississippi River. Gov. Bobby Jindal and Viking officials announced Tuesday that New Orleans will be the first North American home port for the cruise line. Jindal says the move means hundreds …

DALLAS – A Texas agency is scrambling to relocate more than 100 sex offenders after two companies backed out of a contract to provide post-prison housing. However, officials say they’re no closer to finding a solution despite inquiring about shuttered jails, holding facilities and numerous other options. The Office of …

SAN FRANCISCO – Diving for abalone can be a dangerous sport, but that doesn’t deter the thousands of people who trek to the northern California coastlines each season to take a stab at getting some of the prized mollusks. With prices on the open market often reaching $125 a pound, …

LITTLETON, Colo. – Classes are canceled at Columbine High School to mark the 16th anniversary of the shootings that killed twelve students and a teacher. A moment of silence to honor those lost on April 20, 1999 will be held at 11:20 a.m. in the school’s library, which was rebuilt …

NEW YORK – The nation’s largest mass transit system is preparing to ban all political advertising on its subways and buses after a judge ruled that a pro-Israel group was allowed to display an advertisement containing the phrase “Hamas Killing Jews” on New York City buses. The resolution is expected …

NEW YORK – The long months away from home can make life on a military base lonely and monotonous. But a growing number of bases are organizing recreation programs to help combat the boredom. In addition to services like fitness centers and swimming pools, there are a host of other …