In the Southeast: Warmer days are here again

Higher temperatures are bringing some relief to the Southeast and should remain in place despite stormy weather expected for the coming weekend, weather forecasters said Tuesday.

Gunman kills 2, wounds 3 at truck rental business

Two people were killed and three wounded Tuesday in a shooting at a Penske truck rental business in suburban Atlanta, Georiga, authorities said. The suspected gunman was a "disgruntled ex-employee."

Chicago police dust off murder linked to Al Capone

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Police will reopen the unsolved 1939 murder of the Chicago lawyer who put the finger on gangster Al Capone for tax evasion, a city politician said on Tuesday.

Gates Foundation grant seeks savings for poor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Using handheld devices, motorbikes and even smartphones, micro-lenders such as ShoreBank International hope to give poor communities access to safe and affordable ways to save their hard-earned cash.

U.S. airlines eyes Delta, Continental bag fee boosts

NEW YORK/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Recent bag check fee increases by Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines could prompt rivals to follow as the U.S. airline industry struggles to claw its way out of the 2009 economic downturn.

U.S. East Coast port shut after explosives spill

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - The U.S. East Coast port of Morehead City, North Carolina, which handles rubber imports and chemical cargoes, was closed and evacuated Tuesday after several drums containing a powerful explosive were accidentally punctured, authorities said.

One in eight Americans receives food stamps: U.S

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some 37.9 million people -- one in eight Americans -- received food stamps to help buy food at latest count, the government said on Tuesday as enrollment set a record for the ninth month in a row.

Somali charged in New York in more ship hijackings

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Somali teenager extradited to New York last year on charges he attempted to hijack a U.S. ship in the Indian Ocean pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to taking part in two additional attacks.

Florida citrus areas warm up, cold pockets linger

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Central Florida citrus groves warmed up although some northern farms still face the threat of a cold snap later on Wednesday, forecasters said.

Shortfalls for U.S. cities could reach $56 billion

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. cities will face a collective budget shortfall of at least $56 billion over the next two years, with the current recession not seen hitting bottom until 2011, according to a report on Wednesday.