STAFF REPORT A 45-year-old man tried to "get even" with a New Freedom resident by falsely reporting a shooting and hostage situation at the person's home Tuesday, police said.   Full Story

PHILADELPHIA—Philadelphia City Councilman Jack Kelly is expected to announce what he'll do about his chief of staff, who is under indictment by a federal grand jury.   Full Story

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—It took a jury 13 days to convict and sentence Damien Echols to death for the 1993 slayings of three second-graders.   Full Story

BEIJING—The official Xinhua News Agency says former Chinese leader Hua Guofeng has died at the age of 87.   Full Story

It's difficult not to agree with the observation of York City School District board member Sam Beard that having to pass the scrutiny of police officers and metal detectors to enter high school creates a prison-like atmosphere and sends "a message to children that it's not an institution of learning.   Full Story

When 7-year-old Alex Colafrancesco came to the York Expo Center Tuesday to hear Sen. John McCain speak, he didn't know he would get a chance to ask the Republican presidential candidate a question.   Full Story

BEIJING—Crystl Bustos hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning as the U.S. Olympic softball team beat Japan 4-1 in extra innings and will play for its fourth straight gold medal.   Full Story

Corey Thurman hadn't lost an Atlantic League baseball game since July 2. But it only took one fatal pitch to snap that impressive streak Monday night at Regency Furniture Stadium.   Full Story

MOUNT WOLF -- Over his seven years as the manager of the Glen Rock Central League baseball team, Kim McCullough has had a number of excellent pitchers.   Full Story

NEW YORK—BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. says its profit edged up in the second-quarter and is raising its full-year earnings forecast as frugal shoppers look for deals at discounters.   Full Story