AP U.S. NewsBrief at 8:03 a.m. EST

Tiger Woods: 'Personal failings' let family down

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Tiger Woods disclosed his "personal failings" in a 317-word statement on his Web site that did not delve into details, except to say that he "let my family down" and regrets it "with all of my heart." Still to be determined is whether this closes a shocking saga involving one of the biggest names in sport.

Poll finds sexting common among young people

WASHINGTON (AP) — Think your kid is not "sexting"? Think again. Sexting — sharing sexually explicit photos, videos and chat by cell phone or online — is fairly commonplace among young people, despite sometimes grim consequences for those who do it. More than a quarter of young people have been involved in sexting in some form, an Associated Press-MTV poll found.

Gay-marriage opponents welcome NY bill's defeat

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A bill that would have allowed same-sex marriage was rejected by New York lawmakers, a stunning outcome for advocates in a state that was the site of one of the gay rights movement's defining moments four decades ago, and a huge victory for opponents who said it could influence votes elsewhere. "It's just a huge win," said Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage, a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to protect marriage. "It's going to help cement defeat for gay marriage in New Jersey, and I think it's going to get a whole bunch of politicians in New Hampshire who voted for gay marriage this year pretty nervous when they come up for election."

Blessed are the conservative in Bible translation

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The Gospel of Luke records that, as he was dying on the cross, Jesus showed his boundless mercy by praying for his killers this way: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Not so fast, say contributors to the Conservative Bible Project.

Fort Hood suspect charged with attempted murder

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — An Army psychiatrist who may face the death penalty after the mass shooting at Fort Hood was charged Wednesday with 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder relating to the scores of soldiers and two civilian police officers injured in the attack, military officials said. Maj. Nidal Hasan has already been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder after the Nov. 5 shooting in a building at the Texas Army post where soldiers must go before being deployed. Witnesses said he jumped on a desk and shouted "Allahu Akbar!" — Arabic for "God is great!" Army officials have said he was armed with two pistols, one a semiautomatic capable of firing up to 20 rounds without reloading.

Man accused of aiding in Wash. police killing

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A suspect accused of helping Maurice Clemmons flee after the gunman massacred four suburban police officers could face trial as an accomplice to murder — a crime that might bring the same penalties as if he had pulled the trigger himself. Darcus Allen, 38, pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail Wednesday after he was charged with being a fugitive. The prosecution is reviewing evidence to determine if any additional charges will be filed, including criminal assistance charges.

Only sliver of aid for US-Mexico drug plan spent

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Only $26 million of the $1.4 billion authorized to help Mexico and Central America fight organized crime has been spent due to bureaucracy, conditions placed on the funds by Congress and preparations in recipient countries, according to a government report scheduled for release Thursday. While nearly all of the $1.4 billion pledged in October 2007 as part of the Merida Initiative has been appropriated by Congress, only about two percent was spent as of Sept. 30, according to a draft copy of a Government Accountability Office report obtained by The Associated Press.

Ohio suspect faces arraignment on 11 murder counts

CLEVELAND (AP) — A search at the former home of a serial murder suspect whose more recent home held the remains of 11 women turned up no new bodies, the FBI said. Agents using cadaver dogs spent hours Wednesday looking inside and outside the East Cleveland house where Anthony Sowell lived before going to prison for 15 years for a 1989 attempted rape. They took some items, but FBI spokesman Scott Wilson declined to identify what they were and said there were no plans to resume the search.

Palin book tour host to foreign press: stay away

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — She's no longer the chief executive of Alaska, but Sarah Palin should still be called "governor." And in English only, please. That was the message sent out by officials at the Mall of America this week, who told reporters planning to cover the Minneapolis-area stop on Palin's "Going Rogue" book tour they must address the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate by her former title. The guidelines also banned foreign reporters, allowing "only English speaking press."

Rare 1st Poe book could fetch record at NY auction

BOSTON (AP) — When a teenage Edgar Allan Poe moved to Boston to find work in 1827, he was eager to launch his literary career, re-establish his roots in the city of his birth and distance himself from his foster father in Richmond, Va. The result was his first book, "Tamerlane and Other Poems," virtually unnoticed when published but now one of the world's rarest and most sought-after texts.