AFP - Hurricane Dolly slammed onto South Padre Island, Texas, near the Mexico border, Wednesday as a powerful category two storm, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

AP - Nearly one-fourth of people in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina would refuse to evacuate for a storm if told to, a survey released Wednesday by Harvard University found.

Lawmakers representing the Kenai Peninsula are giving mixed reviews about creating a huge alternative energy grant program, an idea floated recently by House Speaker John Harris.

Reuters - A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 jolted northern Japan early on Thursday, but there was no threat of a tsunami from the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

AP - Hurricane Dolly churned into a Category 2 storm as its eye neared the Texas-Mexico border Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rains that blew down signs, damaged an apartment complex and knocked out electricity to thousands.