National Headlines

Terry Jones, the Florida pastor behind "Burn a Koran Day," says setting fire to korans is meant to send a message to Muslims. Qur'an - United States - Florida - Terry Jones - President

More than one quarter of the translators working alongside American soldiers in Afghanistan failed language proficiency exams but were sent onto the battlefield anyway, according to a former employee of the company that holds contracts worth up to $1.4 billion to supply interpreters to the U.S. Army. "I determined that someone- and I didn't know [who] at that time- was changing the grades from blanks or zeros to passing grades," said Paul Funk, who used to oversee the screening of Afghan linguists for the Columbus, Ohio-based contractor, Mission Essential Personnel. "Many who failed were marked as being passed." Afghanistan - United States Army - Linguistics - Whistleblower - Asia

It's still unclear whether White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel will run for mayor of Chicago, but aides say they'd be surprised if he didn't, setting the stage for a possible high-profile administration departure and staffing shake-up to follow. Rahm Emanuel - Chicago - White House - White House Chief of Staff - Mayor of Chicago

At least 135 homes destroyed in Colorado wildfire; containment estimated at 10 percent Colorado - United States - People - Wildfire - Boulder County Colorado

President Obama today in Ohio is touting a trio of economic proposals, including a $50 billion plan to improve the nation's transportation system, and in doing so create jobs to boost the country's sluggish economic recovery. If the plan is approved by Congress, the projects would be financed by a government-run bank, known as an infrastructure bank. Ohio - United States Congress - President of the United States - Barack Obama - United States

The Las Vegas MGM Resort's lion exhibit roars with excitement, but a video that recently surfaced on the Internet shows a moment of terror when one of the 400-pound lions turned on its trainer. Las Vegas Nevada - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer - Nevada - United States - Counties

In a political speech reminiscent of his 2008 campaign, President Obama today proposed new incentives for businesses and assailed Republicans for impeding his efforts and for wanting to revert to "the same philosophy that led to this mess in the first place." Mitt Romney - Barack Obama - Republican - Democratic Party - President of the United States

LAPD brass vows to investigate fatal shooting of day laborer; protesters egg police station Los Angeles Police Department - Police - Spanish language - Riot control - Los Angeles Times

Fla. minister determined to hold Quran burn on Sept. 11, despite international outcry Islam - Religion and Spirituality - United States - Quran - Glenn Beck

President Obama swings into campaign mode, calling out Republicans by name. President of the United States - Republican Party - Barack Obama - United States - President

John Karl takes a closer look at the debate over extending tax cuts to the rich. United States - Tax - Taxation - Politics - Accounting

Despite global condemnation, Terry Jones will continue with his protest. United States - Terry Jones - Religion and Spirituality - Christianity - Pentecostalism

Tropical Storm Hermine has left many stranded in fast-rising flood waters. Texas - Tropical Storm Hermine - Flood - Earth Sciences - Natural Disasters and Hazards

Wildfires continue for a second day in Colorado. Colorado - United States - Wildfire - Boulder County Colorado - Business and Economy

Doctors found a pre-cancerous polyp during Dr. Oz's first routine colonoscopy. Colonoscopy - Cancer - Polyp - Health - Conditions and Diseases

Scientists study men's dance moves and how women react to them. Dance - Arts - Performing Arts - Modern - People