Washington: Legislators who walked out on prayer apologize

A Muslim leader returned to the state House on Friday to deliver the opening prayer, and this time everyone listened.

Reps. Lois McMahan and Cary Condotta drew criticism Monday when they deliberately stayed off the House floor during Imam Mohamad Joban’s prayer. The Republicans apologized to him and shook his hand on his return visit.

McMahan had initially defended her decision to stay off the floor, saying it was “an issue of patriotism.” Condotta had said he “wasn’t particularly interested” in Joban’s prayer.

Their actions prompted rebukes from a national Muslim group and from the state Republican Party chairman.

Illinois: McDonald’s, Newman team up on salads

Looking for a boost in sales and image, McDonald’s restaurants said Friday they would offer Paul Newman’s all-natural salad dressings.

The fast-food giant said it had partnered with the actor to offer Newman’s Own dressings on its new premium salads, which will be available later this month.

McDonald’s shares rose 21 cents to close at $12.82 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange a day after sinking to a 10-year low.

Wisconsin: Deputy killed in dispute over tree-cutting

A man who was upset about roadside tree-cutting outside his home shot and killed a sheriff’s deputy Friday during a confrontation, authorities said.

The deputy went to the man’s trailer home in response to a call from the town brush-clearing crew saying the suspect, who was not named, was carrying a rifle and making threats, police said in a statement.

After allegedly shooting the deputy, the suspect barricaded himself in his home. A standoff with police ended hours later when officers persuaded him to open his door, then rushed him, said Sheriff Roberta Sindelar.

“They were cutting trees on my property line, and I asked them to leave,” the suspect reportedly said. “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. … But they shot at me, and I shot back.”

Sindelar said the deputy did not initiate the exchange. The deputy, whose name was not immediately released, died at a hospital.

Maryland: Girl allegedly kills brother in argument

A 12-year-old girl stabbed her 15-year-old brother to death during an argument, authorities said.

The siblings, who were not identified, had been quarreling at home Thursday when the stabbing occurred, police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said. The boy died at the scene.

Prosecutor Douglas Gansler said the girl faces a second-degree murder charge and would be tried as a juvenile. He added she was aware of what she had done.

“Clearly this was not a mistake,” Gansler said. “Clearly she intended the consequence of her act.”

It was not immediately clear if the girl had been assigned an attorney.

Florida: ‘Girls Gone Wild’ backs off plans for live show

Girls won’t be flashing on live television in Florida next week after the creators of a pay-per-view show announced they would move filming to Texas.

Panama City Beach officials had warned of arrests if producers of the “Girls Gone Wild” videos went on with plans to bring cameras to their community. The videos show women exposing themselves while partying.

The producers said they were moving Thursday’s show to South Padre Island, Texas, because of insufficient electrical hookups at the Panama City Beach nightclub where the show had been planned.

Wisconsin: Resident injured while making bomb

A man was in critical condition Friday after a bomb he was making on his kitchen table blew up, according to authorities who said they found other explosive devices inside the apartment.

The blast damaged the walls and ceiling of the apartment and blew out the living room windows of the apartment in Hartford.

“We found a large quantity of explosive material and chemical compounds,” Police Chief Thomas Jones said. “I’m not a bomb expert by any means, but we were very, very lucky last night.”

Buildings in the surrounding block were evacuated for more than six hours.