AP U.S. NewsBrief at 9:49 a.m. EST

Scientists, lawyers mull effects of home robots

PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) — Eric Horvitz illustrates the potential dilemmas of living with robots by telling the story of how he once got stuck in an elevator at Stanford Hospital with a droid the size of a washing machine. "I remembered thinking, `Whoa, this is scary,' as it whirled around, almost knocking me down," the Microsoft researcher recalled. "Then, I thought, `What if I were a patient?' There could be big issues here."

2nd gay bishop for Episcopal Church, Anglicans

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has elected a lesbian as assistant bishop, the second openly gay bishop in the global Anglican fellowship, which is already deeply fractured over the first. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans, said Sunday that the choice raised "very serious questions" for the divided church and urged restraint.

1 shot, another beaten in fight at Baltimore hotel

BALTIMORE (AP) — One man was shot in the face and another was severely beaten when a fight erupted early Sunday morning during a birthday party at a downtown Baltimore hotel, police said. Officers were called to the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel around 3:15 a.m., said Baltimore police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. Shortly after police arrived, they found an Uzi submachine gun in a room where the party was held.

Tiger's troubles widen his distance from blacks

Amid all the headlines generated by Tiger Woods' troubles — the puzzling car accident, the suggestions of marital turmoil and multiple mistresses — little attention has been given to the race of the women linked with the world's greatest golfer. Except in the black community. When three white women were said to be romantically involved with Woods in addition to his blonde, Swedish wife, blogs, airwaves and barbershops started humming, and Woods' already tenuous standing among many blacks took a beating.

AP: Manufacturing areas lead surprise job comeback

CONOVER, N.C. (AP) — As record numbers of orders flow through Legacy Furniture Group's manufacturing plant, workers toil between towers of piled foam and incomplete end tables precariously stacked five pieces high. With a 10 percent sales growth this year, Legacy has quickly forgotten the recession's low point in March, when weak order volumes forced the company to implement four-day work weeks.

Palin's plans questioned as she stops in Iowa

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is raising more speculation about a possible presidential bid with a stop in Iowa during her national book-signing tour. Iowa's caucuses have traditionally launched the presidential nominating season.

Knox upset, tired; gets family visit in prison

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) — Amanda Knox sought comfort from visiting family members Saturday on her first day in prison since being convicted of murdering her British roommate. The family of victim Meredith Kercher said the verdict brought a measure of justice. However, they said, it was not a time to celebrate.

Wis. man wanted in double homicides eludes police

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Police sought help from the public Saturday as the search for a Wisconsin man wanted in the deaths of his two young daughters and their mothers stretched into its third day. Authorities released no new details on the slayings but continued to call 38-year-old Tyrone Adair armed and dangerous. He has strong family ties to the Madison area, but so far has eluded capture. Police have warned law enforcement agencies nationwide to watch for him.

2 men, 43 horses killed in barn fire in Ohio

LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — A fire ripped through a horse barn at a county fairgrounds Saturday in southwest Ohio, killing two men and 43 horses, authorities said. The barn roof had already collapsed by the time firefighters arrived at the Warren County Fairgrounds, about 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati, according to Capt. Krista Wyatt of the Lebanon Fire Department. The fire was reported about 5 a.m.

Baucus: Girlfriend merited US attorney nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus defended recommending his girlfriend for appointment as Montana's U.S. attorney, saying Saturday his one-time staff member and the former state prosecutor is "highly qualified" but eventually withdrew her nomination. Baucus said that he began dating former state office director Melodee Hanes after they were both separated from their spouses. The Montana Democrat said they did not have an affair, but began dating while she worked for him.