Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Basil L. Plumley, who fought in some of the U.S. Army's bloodiest battles in three wars, died Wednesday in Columbus, Georgia. He was 92.

TRAVEL-August-Plane-Delays

U.S. airlines on the receiving end of frequent passenger complaints can point to August and say things are better, at least for that month.

TRAVEL-Cruise-Ship-Bomb-Hoax

A Florida woman involved in a lover's quarrel has been sentenced to a year in federal prison after admitting she called authorities to report explosives and a terrorist were aboard a passenger ship cruising into a U.S. port, authorities say.

MED-meningitis-outbreak

Patients whose fungal tests are negative may still be at risk in a meningitis outbreak, as the fungus involved can be difficult to detect, federal health officials said Thursday.

MED-compounding-pharmacies-explainer

News of a recent meningitis outbreak has sent many Americans into panic mode.

SPORT-Baseball-Playoffs

Giants win division series with 6-4 victory over Reds

SPORT-earnhardt-concussion-race

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the next two races in the chase for the Sprint Cup after sustaining a concussion during a massive wreck on the last lap of Sunday's Good Sam 500 at Talladega, Alabama, Earnhardt said Thursday.

POLITICS

POL-Debate-Five-Things

Five things to watch for in the vice presidential debate.

MONEY-obama-romney-medicare

Medicare is likely to take center stage at Thursday's vice presidential debate as Vice President Joe Biden and opponent Paul Ryan battle over cutting costs while protecting seniors.

POL-BIden-Debate-Expectations

Senior Democrats are predicting a scrappy competitive debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan when they meet onstage in Kentucky Thursday. But both men are collegial people so don't expect a fight club atmosphere.

POL-Debate-Biden-Economy

Vice President Joe Biden's primary goal in Thursday's debate is to make the president's case on the economy and tie Mitt Romney to the Ryan budget, according to multiple Democratic sources.

POL-Biden-Debate-Strategy

Vice President Joe Biden indicated he expects to go toe-to-toe with his rival, Rep. Paul Ryan, during Thursday's only vice presidential debate in Kentucky.

POL-debate-biden