Federal health officials encouraged Medicare participants on Thursday to shop around for their prescription drug coverage next year because it could include significant price increases or changes regarding which drugs the plans will cover.

The largest alternative medicine study the government has ever launched has stopped enrolling people while officials investigate whether participants were fully informed of the risks and are being adequately protected, The Associated Press has learned.

Oil prices pulled back Friday as political rancor threw a U.S. financial bailout proposal into disarray, deepening investor fears of a protracted and painful economic downturn that would further erode U.S. energy demand.

Financial markets remained tense Friday after efforts to approve a $700 billion banking bailout hit a serious roadblock. Stocks declined while demand for safe-haven buying in government debt eased.

The economy's spring rebound turned out to be slightly less energetic than the government previously thought. And, the road ahead is likely to be rocky as the country gets pounded by the worst financial crisis in decades.

House Republicans say they're sending a top leader to renewed negotiations on President Bush's $700 billion plan to bail out the financial industry.

Americans don't need to worry about another depression. But no matter what happens with the bank bailout, the economy is unlikely to turn around soon.

In the biggest bank failure in history, JPMorgan Chase will acquire massive branch network and troubled assets from Washington Mutual for $1.9 billion.

Tropical Storm Kyle is gaining strength as it swirls in the open Atlantic southwest of Bermuda.

Financial markets remained jittery Friday after efforts to approve a $700 billion banking bailout hit a serious roadblock. Stocks fell sharply, while fears of a deepening economic crisis fed safe-haven buying in Treasury notes.

President Bush is making a fresh appeal for Congress to move quickly on his proposal for a $700 million program to stabilize cascading financial markets.

President Bush said Friday morning that Washington will come up with a rescue plan for the nation's economy despite disagreements that blocked a deal Thursday.

Pakistan warned U.S. troops not to intrude on its territory Friday, after the two anti-terror allies traded fire along the volatile border with Afghanistan, the first serious exchange with Pakistani forces acknowledged by the U.S..

A landmark agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation between India and the U.S. has been a high priority for President Bush and the Indian government, but time is running out as lawmakers wrap up this year's session.

The key international players trying to promote peace in the Middle East meet on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Friday as the U.N. Security Council opens a high-level debate on Israeli settlements.

Obama said he intended to travel to theUniversity of Mississippi in Oxford, where the debate had long been scheduled. McCain, who had proposed delaying the contest, wouldn't commit.

Seattle-based WaMu, which was founded in 1889, is the largest bank to fail by far in the country's history. Its $307 billion in assets eclipse the $40 billion of Continental Illinois National Bank.

Rep. Barney Frank said leading Democrats on Capitol Hill were shocked by the level of divisiveness that surfaced at a White House meeting Thursday, not long after key congressional players of both parties declared they'd achieved the broad outlines of an agreement on a bill implementing the administration's proposed $700 billion bailout plan.

Oil prices fell below $105 a barrel Friday on investor concern that faltering negotiations in Washington may sabotage a bailout plan to stabilize the U.S. financial system, which could curb global growth and undermine crude demand.

The government says the economy's spring rebound turned out to be slightly less energetic than previously thought. Even so, the improvement is expected to be short lived as the country gets pounded by the worst financial crisis in decades.

The Topeka Cold Stone Creamery thanked its customers and showed their support for the Make-a-Wish foundation Thursday evening. All you had to do was make a donation to Make-a-Wish and you could get free ice cream.

Republican Eric Rucker and Democrat Chad Taylor fielded questions for the second night in a row. The candidates for Shawnee County District Attorney met in a forum sponsored by the Hi-Crest Neighborhood Improvement Association.

54 counties in Kansas will be receiving federal aid from FEMA. They announced Thursday that it will give $33.6 million to communities affected by storms May 22nd through June 16th.

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce held its Fast Forward Event at Single Source in Topeka.

Washburn University's School of Business endowment received a $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor. The money will support a distinguished professorship for business.