Thick mud hampers Hudson River crash investigation
NEW YORK (AP) -- Thick mud, menacing currents and bone-chilling temperatures stymied investigators Friday as they scoured the Hudson River for the two missing engines from a US Airways jetliner that crash-landed in the water after colliding with birds. The investigation ran into a series of obstacles one day after the pilot ditched the plane carrying 155 people. The collision apparently caused both of the engines to fail, forcing the aircraft to go down just a few hundred yards from the Manhattan skyline. All aboard survived....

Pilot's life had prepared him for `miracle' flight
NEW YORK (AP) -- Chesley Sullenberger spent practically his whole life preparing for the five-minute crucible that was US Airways Flight 1549....

'Deep Throat' regarded at memorial as truth-teller
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) -- W. Mark Felt, the former FBI second-in-command who helped unlock the secrets of Watergate as the shadowy "Deep Throat," was regarded Friday as a man who stood for truth in deceptive times....

Survivors offer praise, gratitude after NY crash
NEW YORK (AP) -- One minute they were airline passengers. Six minutes later, they were stunned survivors taking on water in the middle of the frigid Hudson River....

3 men held in Mass. election night church fire
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Three white men were arrested Friday in connection with the torching of a predominantly black church hours after Barack Obama won the presidential election....

Ex-OC sheriff acquitted of corruption conspiracy
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- A jury acquitted former Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona of charges that he took bribes in exchange for the power of his office, a verdict that stunned the courtroom and was hailed by the elated defendant as "an absolute miracle."...

Blagojevich attorneys pull out of Senate trial
CHICAGO (AP) -- Ten days before the impeachment trial that could cost Gov. Rod Blagojevich his office, his team of defense lawyers said Friday they have withdrawn from the proceedings, which two of the attorneys compared to a "lynching."...

Funeral held for victims of Christmas shooting
SAN DIMAS, Calif. (AP) -- Hundreds of people packed a church Friday for the funeral of nine family members killed by a gunman dressed as Santa during a Christmas Eve party....

Calif. tax refunds to be delayed starting Feb. 1
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California's controller said Friday he will be forced to impose a 30-day delay on tax refunds and some other payments starting Feb. 1 if lawmakers fail to agree on a plan to erase a nearly $42 billion budget deficit....

Wyeth's death reignites debate over his legacy
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Although some critics deride his art as drab and kitschy, Andrew Wyeth's melancholy paintings were praised by others as profound reflections of 20th Century alienation and existentialism....