When the holiday shopping season kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened, but even more bargain-hungry customers.

Local governments and public entities, already reeling from the recession, face another fiscal crisis: billions of dollars in fees owed to Wall Street firms on investment deals gone bad.

The five men facing trial in the Sept. 11 attacks will plead not guilty so that they can air their criticisms of U.S. foreign policy, the lawyer for one of the defendants said Sunday.

Tens of thousands have fled Michigan's troubled economy in recent years, yet Iraqi refugees continue to move there despite a U.S. government policy trying to limit refugee resettlement in the Detroit area.

The man considered the father of lethal injection in the United States said it doesn't matter whether three fatal drugs are used or one  as long as the drug works efficiently.

Leigh Bodden had three of the four interceptions thrown by Mark Sanchez and the New England Patriots defense allowed just one touchdown in a 31-14 win. The victory gave them a two-game lead in the AFC East and sent the Jets to their sixth loss in seven games.

Ryan Succop’s 22-yard field goal with 8:28 left in overtime lifted the Kansas City Chiefs to a come-from-behind 27-24 victory Sunday over the Pittsburgh Steelers, breaking a team-record 10-game home losing streak.

The vampire romance “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” sucked up $140.7 million in its first three days and pulled in a total of $258.8 million worldwide, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Msnbc.com readers have very strong opinions on the “Twilight” sequel, which pulled in more than $140 million domestically in its opening weekend. From Kristen Stewart acting to the film's director, there was very little middle ground.

The deadliest accident in China's mining industry for two years has highlighted how heavy demand for power-generating coal comes at a high human cost.

Drew Brees threw for three touchdowns and the Saints shrugged off a slow start defensively to remain unbeaten Sunday with a 38-7 rout of the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers and young quarterback Josh Freeman.

It’s the country cutie versus the “King of Pop” at this year’s American Music Awards. Taylor Swift comes into Sunday’s ceremony with six nominations. Michael Jackson has five. And both are up for artist of the year.

The dispute among Democrats foretells of a rowdy floor debate next month on legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million Americans.

Iowa and Penn State ended their seasons eligible for an at-large BCS selection, and Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech are also in position to become eligible for big-money bowl bids.

Jimmie Johnson bulldozed his way into the record books by becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive championships, finishing fifth in Sunday’s season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Astronaut Randolph Bresnik is a new dad again, after launching into space and taking a spacewalk, all for the first time.

Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least 29 people have died, officials said.

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy says.