Ted Cruz's campaign stop in the Bronx is a complete dud  —  There are more than 1.4 million people in the Bronx — but Ted Cruz couldn't even muster 100 at a campaign event in Parkchester with state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a conservative Christian minister.  —  Cruz visited the Sabrosura Chinese …

Student body-slammed by school police officer  —  SAN ANTONIO - A viral video showing a school police officer body-slamming a 12-year-old girl to the ground has sparked a San Antonio Independent School District investigation.  —  The district confirmed the officer was put on paid leave Wednesday morning.

North Carolina couple arrested after 4 children test positive for meth  —  NEBO, N.C. — Two people have been arrested after children living with them tested positive for methamphetamine.  —  Kimberly Dawn Lowery, 29, and Nathan Todd Vallini, 27, both of Nebo, are each charged with four counts …

2 men considered ‘dangerous to others’ escape from Western State mental hospital; search under way  —  LAKEWOOD, Wash. — Two men considered “dangerous to others” escaped from the Western State Hospital Wednesday night, police said.  —  Anthony Garver, who was found incompetent to stand trial …

Dennis Hastert accused of sexual abuse by at least 4, sources say  —  Stephen Reinboldt's sister Jolene Burdge speaks out about her brother's alleged abuse by Dennis Hastert decades ago.  (John Kim/Chicago Tribune)  —  For months, federal authorities have hinted at the motive behind …

Mom outraged after photo of son with staple gun to face goes viral  —  OPA-LOCKA, Fla. (WSVN) — A South Florida mother is demanding answers after she found a photo on social media showing a teenage student holding a staple gun to her 6-year-old son's cheek at school.

Tennessee Legislature Advances 2 Bills Targeting LGBT Individuals  —  The Tennessee state legislature on Wednesday advanced two separate pieces of legislation that target LGBT individuals, eliciting outcries from the business community.  —  The state House on Wednesday passed a bill …

Pair Facing State Jail Felony Charges Stemming from Graffiti on Iconic Enchanted Rock  —  SAN MARCOS, Texas - Law enforcement officials from the State Park Police, Texas Game Wardens and San Marcos Police Department Wednesday arrested two individuals in connection with defacing of the iconic Enchanted Rock.

Watch: Irma Bule bitten on stage by cobra  —  Play!  —  Indonesian pop singer Irma Bule died this week after being bitten by a snake used as an on-stage prop during a live performance on Sunday.  —  “The accident happened in the middle of the second song when Irma stepped on the snake's tail …

Secular Bangladeshi writer murdered in the street  —  New Delhi (CNN)Machete-wielding attackers struck in the capital of Bangladesh Wednesday night, killing 26-year-old secular writer Nazimuddin Samad.  —  Samad, described by Bangladesh police as a masters student at Jagannath University …

Oak Brook teen catches rare shark on vacation  —  An 18-year-old Oak Brook resident caught an albino or leucistic swell shark in the Sea of Cortez near Cabo San Lucas.  —  As a senior on the Hinsdale Central bass fishing team, Scott McLaughlin is looking forward to the spring and his final season of competition.

Why is the FBI so slow on Clinton e-mail probe?  —  IF FBI Director James Comey feels no deadline pressure to wrap up the investigation into Hillary Clinton's e-mail server, he should.  —  “The urgency is to do it well and promptly.  And ‘well’ comes first,” Comey told local law enforcement agents …

A BILL  —  TO AMEND SECTION 45-9-10 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO EQUAL ENJOYMENT OF AND PRIVILEGES TO PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, TO ADD A SUBSECTION TO PROVIDE THAT UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THIS STATE MAY NOT ENACT LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES, ORDERS, OR OTHER REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE …