AP - An astronaut, an elephant and a Smurf are joining Macy's Thanksgiving parade this year.

AP - The smoked turkey is ready to be heated up. All the freeze-dried green beans and cornbread dressing need are water injections before they're served.

AP - A worker returned to an Alaska hospital a day after being fired and unleashed a shooting spree that left one of his ex-supervisors dead and another critically wounded before he was fatally shot by state police.

AP - Indian-Americans and others in the United States with connections to Mumbai were frantically trying to get in touch with loved ones and colleagues Thursday as they followed coverage of the city's deadly terrorist attacks.

AP - California authorities got a shock of their own when they discovered that a drunken driving suspect they had just stunned with a Taser was completely naked.

AP - Early in their investigation into the kidnapping and slaying of a young college woman, Reno police were convinced the suspect they described as a serial rapist was a chameleon who blended in with a community grieving the loss of Brianna Denison.

AP - Judith Markelz has relied on volunteers for years to help the war wounded and their families. They've brought meals, DVDs, event tickets and an endless supply of cookies to help comfort those whose lives suddenly were upended by a bomb or a bullet.