Around the Nation

Violent DVDs in Home Of Alabama Suspect

SAMSON, Ala. -- Investigators found dozens of soot-covered DVDs on how to commit acts of violence in the charred Alabama home where a man killed his mother at the start of the worst massacre in state history, a county official said Thursday.

Authorities say Michael McLendon, 28, set his mother's body on fire Tuesday afternoon at the home they shared in the isolated community of Kinston. He later killed nine more people, four of them family members, before fatally shooting himself.

Coffee County District Attorney Gary McAliley said investigators found 30 or 40 violent CDs and DVDs in the home and are trying to find out who manufactured them. He said they appeared to be serious, not a joke.

He said McLendon had a permit for two pistols he took with him during the rampage but no license for two assault rifles he used.

NASA Works on Shuttle Gas Leak

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA is removing some parts from the shuttle that is out on the launch pad in hopes of plugging a gas leak and launching Discovery to the international space station Sunday. Discovery was supposed to blast off Wednesday night with a crew of seven and one final set of solar wings for the space station. But hydrogen gas began leaking as the shuttle was being fueled, and NASA called the launch off.

Anti-Bullying Law Debated in N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A fight is brewing in the North Carolina legislature over protecting schoolchildren from bullies. Supporters of an anti-bullying proposal on Wednesday introduced a bill that would require school districts to adopt policies protecting students from violence and harassment. A similar proposal got hung up last year on the issue of identifying gay students as potential bullying targets. The House passed a bill that included them, but the Senate balked after social conservatives who opposed the measure flooded their offices with phone calls and e-mails.

Liquor Law Changes in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah lawmakers have approved the most sweeping changes to the state's liquor laws in 40 years in an effort to boost tourism and make the state appear a little less odd. The legislature eliminated the state's private club system, which requires customers to fill out an application and pay a fee for the right to enter a bar.

Florida Preschooler Displays Pot

TAMARAC, Fla. -- A 4-year-old at a Tamarac preschool caused a furor when police say he pulled a plastic bag of marijuana from his book bag and casually told a classmate, "That's my brother's weed." Teacher Iris Dasilva, 45, of Coral Springs, checked the child's book bag and found two more small resealable bags filled with marijuana, according to the report. Dasilva called the Broward Sheriff's Office and the child-abuse hot line.

-- From News Services