Making tracks
A year ago, Tim Mathers was spending $300 a month commuting to his IRS job in Fresno.

Armona students to benefit from Title 1
All students at Armona Elementary School and Parkview Middle School will now benefit from the Armona Union Elementary School District's recent decision regarding Title 1 funds.

New IHOP hopes to attract declining diners
Energy prices are soaring, people are cutting back on spending and a lot of businesses are jittery about making new investments.

Giants' shortstop leaves game after injuring foot
SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel had to leave Saturday's game against Milwaukee in the sixth inning with an apparent foot injury.

Yankees outlast Oakland on hit by pitch in 12th
NEW YORK - Jose Molina was hit by Lenny DiNardo's pitch with the bases loaded in the 12th inning, and the New York Yankees outlasted the Oakland Athletics for a 4-3 victory Saturday.

Field Poll: Bush approval rating drops in Calif.
JOB PERFORMANCE: Bush's approval ratings in California

As wars lengthen, toll on military families mounts
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Far from the combat zones, the strains and separations of no-end-in-sight wars are taking an ever-growing toll on military families despite the armed services' earnest efforts to help.

Lawsuit exposes growing rift among King children
ATLANTA - For years, they were the picture of solidarity: the four children of Martin Luther King Jr. carrying on the legacy of the civil rights icon.

Tropical Storm Cristobal forms off Southeast coast
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Tropical Storm Cristobal churned off the Southeast seaboard after it formed Saturday, the first storm to threaten the U.S. this hurricane season, forecasters said.

Obama backs support in meeting with Afghan leaders
KABUL, Afghanistan - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met Saturday with officials of a region of Afghanistan that has been a hotbed of Taliban and al-Qaida activity, offering his support for reconstruction and security there and throughout the country, an official said.

Iraqi refugees duped by smugglers promising Europe
ISTANBUL, Turkey - In the depths of despair, Suzan doused herself and her 14-year-old daughter with gasoline and prepared to set them both on fire.

Iraqi Sunni bloc rejoins government
BAGHDAD - Iraq's largest Sunni Arab political bloc returned to the government fold Saturday after calling off a nearly one-year boycott of the Shiite-dominated leadership _ another critical stride toward healing sectarian rifts.

Conjoined barn swallows cause stir in Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - It's an Arkansas bird story that at first might be hard to swallow. A pair of conjoined barn swallows, attached at the hip by skin and possibly muscle tissue, will be sent to the Smithsonian Institution for study and examination, Arkansas wildlife officials said Friday. If confirmed, officials say it could prove to be an incredibly rare find _ a set of conjoined twins among birds.

Blessed are the boxers, altered for wounded troops
CASCO TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Blessed are the boxer shorts.

Woman attacked by kangaroo saved by pet dog
SYDNEY, Australia - An elderly woman was attacked by a large kangaroo on a farm in Australia and was lucky to be alive after a pet dog leapt to her aid, her son said Saturday.