Kentucky State Police say a census worker staged his own death to look like a homicide. Bill Sparkman, 51, left, was found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" on his chest in September. Authorities say he had taken out two life insurance policies recently.

Wisconsin lottery officials say a winning ticket purchased on Aug. 26 has yet to be claimed. The ticket, which was sold at a gas station, is worth $1 million -- and if the buyer does not come forward in the next three months, the money will go toward tax relief. In the 21-year history of the lottery, this is only the second time a winning ticket has gone unclaimed.

After months of debating the right way forward in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama appears to have decided on deploying from 32,000 to 35,000 U.S. troops, according to military officials. The decision, expected to be announced soon, came after a "rigorous" meeting with his war council. The Point: Democrats Eye War Tax

In California, a growing number of children with attention deficit hyperacitivty disorder, or ADHD, are being treated with marijuana. This fact has sparked a heated debate. But as some doctors point out, the two most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, Ritalin and Aderall, are essentially amphetamines. One expert even speculated that pot may prove to be a "wonder drug" for such patients.

Taking advantage of a loophole in a 1988 law, a dozen Indian tribes apply to build casinos close to cities and suburbs rather than on reservations. The Obama administration is expected to rule soon on whether these projects can go forward. If they do, the dusty California train depot at right will eventually boast a $1.5 billion Vegas-style resort.

A new study suggests that an ancient ocean may have once existed on Mars. Scientists reveal an extensive network of valleys around the equator, which would have funneled rainfall into an ocean in the northern hemisphere. This new map also suggests that the red planet once boasted a more temperate, humid climate.