National

Many countries have had their currency strengthen against the declining U.S. dollar. While many citizens of those countries are pleased to take advantage of cheaper vacations and imports, the strengthened currency will likely restrict economic growth.

As suspicion builds about the legitimacy of the Heene family’s claims, we examine evidence suggesting the balloon boy story is a hoax, look at past media frenzies incited by false claims and explore the possible legal fallout against the family.

Authorities in Colorado are searching for a boy that was initially thought to be trapped in a homemade, helium-powered aircraft as it floated over the state. New reports suggest the now grounded balloon is empty.

In a media environment currently dominated by highly partisan ranters, what media figures can, like the recently deceased Walter Cronkite and Tim Russert, earn trust and respect from a wide audience?

The CARD Act of 2009 aims to protect young consumers by limiting credit card marketing on college campuses and setting limitations on those under the age of 21.

A man who hijacked a plane in 1968 and forced it to Cuba has surrendered after 41 years on the lam. In the 1960s and early ’70s, before stringent screening and metal detectors at airports, it was a common occurrence for flights to be hijacked and diverted to Cuba.

Officials from Wisconsin's Lakefront Marathon have disqualified two women that finished first and second in the race, irking some and calling to mind previous marathon flukes.

Even though the new swine flu vaccine is now available in most U.S. states, many parents are not sure that vaccination would be a safe option for their children.

Many hope that the death of Chicago teenager Derrion Albert can lead to long-term solutions to the problem of youth violence in Chicago, which has had numerous high-profile cases over the last 25 years.

The botched execution of Romell Broom causes Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland to put executions on hold, the latest in a string of challenges to capital punishment.

Gain a better understanding of the Nobel prize-winning discovery that will aid in the development of new cancer therapies.

A CDC report found that deaths caused by opioid analgesics such as methadone and OxyContin more than tripled between 1999 and 2006. The federal government is trying to cut down on the prescribed use of opioids, which began to be used widely as painkillers in the 1990s.

Through stimulus funding, the Obama administration is encouraging the adoption of e-health records by 2014, but programming issues and privacy concerns may be a stumbling block.

The Senate rejected two public option amendments to the health care bill, but Democrats are not ready to give up the fight to reform the health care system.

In order to give American students a competitive advantage, President Obama is pushing to add more hours to the school year. But students, teachers and parents have mixed reactions.

Many school districts around the country have few or no school nurses to deal with the latest surge of swine flu outbreaks.

Created by a mother in memory of her son, National Gordie Day aims to educate students, parents and teachers about the hazards of binge drinking and fraternity hazing.

As the flu season begins, college administrators worry about the spread of the swine flu virus, but students remain largely unfazed by the risks.

Authorities arrested 46 members and associates of the Avenues, one of the most violent street gangs in Los Angeles.

Kids may be more Internet savvy than ever before, but their ability to perform online research and evaluate Web sites remains weak. How can parents and teachers help?

Chef Ann Cooper is leading the movement for healthier school lunches, launching a Web site devoted to the cause and lobbying on Capitol Hill.

The sharp increase in teenage heroin use, both in big cities and small towns, has become a grave concern for parents and educators as kids return to school.

An experiment that tracks the progress of garbage through the trash stream aims to get people thinking about where their trash ends up—and how they can reduce their impact.

Parents typically take extra precautions at the start of the school year, but recession anxiety and recent high-profile kidnapping cases could be leading many to overprotect their children.

After all the criticism, many—including some Republicans—responded favorably to President Obama’s back-to-school speech, though some students remained apathetic and disinterested.

The work to rebuild the World Trade Center has been marked by delays and cost overruns, but there are some signs that progress is being made.

San Francisco residents who do not comply with a new compost law will face fines. The bill represents a burgeoning interest in food composting in homes, schools and even prisons in the U.S.

Though thoughts of Hurricane Katrina may have faded in other parts of the country, efforts to revive stricken areas continue as townspeople commemorate the fourth anniversary of the tragedy.

More Americans are looking for economical and eco-friendly living options, such as prefab homes and mini cars.

Parents, politicians and commentators disagree on the aim of Obama’s speech. Some say he’ll encourage students to take their education seriously while others contend that he’ll promote a political agenda.