Gas prices fall again
The price of a gallon of gasoline on Friday fell below year-ago levels for the first time in 2008. A gallon of regular gas fell 4 cents overnight to a new national average of $2.78, according to auto club AAA and other sources.
Gruesome crime
In a gruesome case with powerful echoes of the dragging death of James Byrd a decade ago, a black man was killed underneath a pickup truck in East Texas and two white men have been charged with murder. The body of Brandon McClelland, 24, was found Sept. 16.
Palin testifies
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (right) is testifying behind closed doors in Missouri about allegations she abused her powers during the “Troopergate” personnel controversy that has distracted from her Republican vice-presidential bid.
Poor cows!
Lightning struck only once — but 52 cows are dead at an Uruguayan ranch. The newspaper El Pais reports that the cows had pressed against a wire fence during a storm when the lightning bolt struck in the northern state of San Jose.
Aid for Christians
The UN refugee agency said Friday that it was rushing aid to thousands of Christians who fled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Some 13,000 Christians have been chased away by threats and extremist attacks in Mosul this month, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said.
‘Bandit’ sentenced
A man dubbed the “Dinnertime Bandit,” who was convicted of robbing Connecticut mansions after their residents had returned home for the evening, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors say Alan Golder stole $1 million worth of jewelry and property.
