News in United States

• Local female WWII pilot honored with gold medal
  

  A local World War II aviator - who became one of first American women to fly for the U.S. military - was one of 200 females to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress, in a ceremony on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

• Lightning's Lecavalier blasts Penguins' Cooke
  

  Normally non-controversial with his comments, Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier did not hold back when it came to discussing Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke.

• Magic roll past hurting Bulls 111-82
  

  Vince Carter had 23 points to help the Orlando Magic pull away early and cruise past the injured Chicago Bulls, 111-82 on Thursday night for a season-high seventh straight win.

• 2 people struck by car in Pinellas Park, police say
  

  Two people were hurt, one seriously, after being struck by a vehicle in Pinellas Park late Thursday, police say.

• Tiger Woods likely to return to golf in time for Masters
  

  Tiger Woods intends to remain out of golf at least until the Masters, two people with knowledge of his plans have told The Associated Press.

• Report: State reform school abuse claims lack evidence
  

  Investigators have been unable to substantiate or refute claims that students were abused physically and sexually some 40 years ago at a state reform school, according to a final report issued Thursday.

• Lightning fall in OT to Toronto
  

  Phil Kessel scored at 3:33 of overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.

• Pasco, Polk homes damaged as storms cut through region
  

  High winds and heavy rains slash across the Tampa Bay area, triggering damage in some areas.

• Foundation donates school supplies to quake-ravaged Haiti
  

  Progress in Haiti is slow, and it will take years to rebuild, the Haitian Consul General in Miami said while visiting Tampa this evening. "The situation in Haiti is improving, but not enough, very slowly," Ralph Latortue said. "It's going to be a very long process."

• Fed. appeals court upholds 'under God' in pledge
  

  A federal appeals court upheld the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, rejecting arguments Thursday that the phrases violate the separation of church and state.

• Bloodbath hidden from victim's father and son
  

  Hernando County Sheriff's Office closes murder-suicide case of Dr. Blackburn and his wife

• Lakewood High band director accused of molesting student
  

  A high school band director has been jailed after being accused of molesting one of his students in the band room. Raphael J. McLean, 26, was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation, a felony. He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail, where bond is set at $20,000.

• Gators help NCAA drive with win over Auburn
  

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Florida watched a nine-point halftime lead dwindle down to a single point early in the second half of their SEC Tournament opener Thursday night. But the Gators responded with a 13-0 run to regain control and defeat Auburn 78-69, probably saving their hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid.

• Rays' Sonnanstine rebounds from rough first outing
  

  RHP Andy Sonnanstine bounced back nicely from a rough first outing of the spring to pitch four shutout innings against the Blue Jays on Thursday at Charlotte Sports Park.

• Polk family reels from death of woman from 3-week fast
  

  A Bartow woman dies after fasting for three weeks.

• Toyota 'mystified' by California runaway Prius
  

  A Toyota executive said Thursday the company is "mystified" by a report that a California man's Prius gas pedal became stuck and caused the car to speed out of control on a California freeway.

• Shooting spree suspect pleads not guilty in deputy's death
  

  The man accused of killing a Dixie County sheriff's captain in January made his first court appearance in Dixie County on Thursday morning.

• Rays' Davis struggles early, settles down against Pirates
  

  BRADENTON - Yes, Rays starting pitcher Wade Davis gave up five runs in the first inning to the Pirates in his first start and second appearance of the spring Thurdsay at McKechnie Field. But the favorite for the fifth spot in team's rotation also settled down and looked sharp in his second inning of work.

• 'Snake' charged in Pasco bar fight
  

  A man known to his friends as "Snake" has been charged with aggravated battery in the case of a man who lost sight in one eye after a bar fight.

• Montana governor wants to import drugs from Canada
  

  Gov. Brian Schweitzer said today that he is seeking federal permission to import cheaper drugs from Canada for use in state insurance programs.