Minnesota

One killed, one injured in high school shooting

A freshman opened fire at a high school Wednesday, killing one student and critically wounding a second before a teacher apparently talked the boy into dropping the gun, authorities said.

The suspect was taken into custody after the late-morning shooting at Rocori High School in Cold Spring, a small town about 60 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.

Police said the 15-year-old boy, who was not identified, was cooperating with authorities, but his motive was not immediately known.

Massachusetts

Industry drops suit on music downloading

In a possible case of mistaken identity, the recording industry has withdrawn a lawsuit accusing a 66-year-old woman of illegally downloading and sharing more than 2,000 songs online.

Sarah Seabury Ward and her husband use their computer and Internet connection to send e-mail, said Electronic Frontier Foundation attorney Cindy Cohn, who has worked with the family. And the Wards use a Macintosh, which cannot run the software needed for the Kazaa file-sharing service they are accused of using illegally.

The Newbury woman was one of 261 defendants sued by the Recording Industry Association of America for alleged illegal file-sharing of copyright material. The industry threatened to hold her liable for up to $150,000 for each song.

Texas

Lawmakers approve redistricting plan

After four turbulent months, three special legislative sessions and two Democratic walkouts, both houses of the Republican-controlled Legislature have adopted redistricting plans that could give the GOP control of Texas’ congressional delegation.

Some obstacles to final passage remain, but the worst of the squabbling among lawmakers in the Lone Star State appears to be over in what has amounted to a crushing defeat for Democrats.

The Democrats currently control Texas’ congressional delegation, 17-15. They have branded the GOP effort a right-wing power grab engineered by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas.

Ohio

Couple sentenced for faking illness

A woman who faked her daughter’s leukemia to gain thousands of dollars in donations was sentenced to prison Wednesday along with her husband.

Teresa Milbrandt was sentenced to 6 1/2 years, and Robert Milbrandt received four years and 11 months.

Teresa Milbrandt shaved her daughter’s hair and gave her sleeping pills to make it appear she was receiving chemotherapy, made her wear a protective mask and put her in counseling to prepare for death, police said. Authorities said the Milbrandts fooled 65 people and businesses into donating an estimated $31,000 for their daughter’s treatment.

The Milbrandts’ daughter, who is now 8, has been placed in a foster home.

Alabama

Legislature approves early prison releases

The Alabama Legislature approved a bill Wednesday that would allow for the early release of thousands of inmates to reduce costs in the prison system and help solve the state’s budget problems.

The legislation passed the Senate 21-11 Wednesday after clearing the House 47-42 on Monday. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Bob Riley, who plans to sign it.

After Alabama voters rejected his $1.2 billion tax plan Sept. 9, Riley forecast significant cuts in state programs. He said the state could no longer afford to house all of its 28,000 prisoners and must release 5,000 nonviolent inmates in the next year.