Witnesses can bear-ly believe the surprise visitor at Connecticut governor's estate

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Witnesses could bear-ly believe the surprise visitor that appeared at the Connecticut governor’s estate. A black bear scaled the fence Saturday as human passers-by did a double-take. “It was definitely like: ‘Is this real?’” Joanna...

Woman pleads guilty to trying to smuggle 29 turtles across a Vermont lake into Canada by kayak

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A woman from China pleaded guilty on Friday to attempting to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles, a protected species, across a Vermont lake into Canada by kayak. Wan Yee Ng, 41, was arrested on the morning of June 28 at an Airbnb in Canaan as she was about to get...

Authorities continue to investigate container suspected of holding dynamite in Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities in eastern Tennessee continued Friday to investigate a container suspected of holding large amounts of dynamite, warning residents that evacuations will likely remain in place throughout the night. “Until we know more, we implore people to stay...

New Zealand ship didn’t sink because its captain was a woman, the ‘appalled’ defense minister says

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's defense minister issued stinging rebukes of what she said were “vile” and “misogynistic” online remarks by “armchair admirals” about the woman captain of a navy ship that ran aground, caught fire and sank off the coast of Samoa. ...

Washington state woman calls 911 after being hounded by up to 100 raccoons

Sheriff's deputies in Washington's Kitsap County frequently get calls about animals — loose livestock, problem dogs. But the 911 call they received recently from a woman being hounded by dozens of raccoons swarming her home near Poulsbo stood out. The woman reported having had to...

How Waffle House helps Southerners — and FEMA — judge a storm's severity

Golden hashbrowns, gravy-smothered biscuits and crispy waffles with a hearty helping of maple syrup are among the classic Southern comfort foods. But when hurricanes tear through Southeastern towns, the hot meals and bold yellow signs of the local Waffle House provide another kind of comfort. ...

PHOTO COLLECTION: Spain Catalonia Human Tower

Former owner of water buffalo that roamed Iowa suburb for days pleads guilty

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a water buffalo that ran loose in a Des Moines, Iowa, suburb for days pleaded guilty for having an animal at large. The owner was fined $105 and court costs Thursday, the Des Moines Register reported. The owner was taking the...

Nibi the 'diva' beaver to stay at rescue center, Massachusetts governor decides

BOSTON (AP) — The question of whether a 2-year-old beaver named Nibi can stay with the rescuers she has known since she was a baby or must be released into the wild was resolved Thursday when the Massachusetts governor stepped in to protect Nibi. The state issued a permit to...

There's a moose on the loose — in a New Hampshire swimming pool

BEDFORD, N.H. (AP) — Police and firefighters in New Hampshire responded to an unusual call Thursday morning — a moose was trapped in a backyard swimming pool. A video shot by police shows rescuers removing a pool covering after arriving at the home at about 8:45 a.m. to reveal...