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Hours of preparation for Romney ahead of debate

By KASIE HUNTAssociated Press DENVER, Colo. (AP) - If Republican Mitt Romney stumbles during Wednesday's presidential debate, it won't be for a lack of preparation. The Republican presidential nominee has spent at least eight days over the past month getting ready for the three debates

Skydiver aims to break sound barrier in free fall

By MARCIA DUNNAP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - His blood could boil. His lungs could overinflate. The vessels in his brain could burst. His eyes could hemorrhage. And, yes, he could break his neck while jumping from a mind-boggling altitude of 23 miles. But the risk of a gruesome

Econ recovery likely _ benefiting election winner

By JIM KUHNHENNAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Eventually, the economic recovery will pick up steam - whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney is in the White House. That's what many economic outlooks project. And the president - and the party occupying the Oval Office - will reap some of the

Bernanke makes strong defense of Fed rate policies

By MARTIN CRUTSINGERAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Chairman Ben Bernanke offered a wide-ranging defense Monday of the Federal Reserve's bold policies to stimulate the still-weak economy. The Fed needs to drive down long-term borrowing rates because the economy isn't growing fast