National

The entrance fees at some national parks increase on Thursday. It will help with upkeep of restrooms and trails, but it's likely to be a drop in the bucket.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter refused to discuss upcoming recommendations on women in combat Wednesday. Some expect the Marines to ask for permission to exclude women from some positions.

The movie about a stranded astronaut is being hailed for its scientific realism. Andy Weir, who wrote the book the film is based on, is a longtime computer programmer who sees romance in numbers.

A pediatric hospital in Houston is opening a new biocontainment wing — the first in the U.S. designed for children. Kids will even get dolls sporting mini versions of "spacesuits" doctors wear.

A federal judge in Los Angeles has ruled that "Happy Birthday" should be in the public domain. Piano arrangements were copyrighted in 1935, but they apparently don't cover the lyrics.

A new Vanderbilt University study found that Tennessee's Voluntary Pre-K for low-income children has no lasting benefits, stirring up an age-old debate in education circles.

The Taliban overran the Afghan city of Kunduz earlier this week. This comes just a few months after a new leader took over the Taliban and a year after President Ashraf Ghani took power of the Afghan government.

Beset by a record of flight delays, dismal passenger satisfaction and widespread tech glitches, the nation's second-largest airline is seeking ways to restore customer confidence and employee morale.

Russia carried out a series of airstrikes in Syria Wednesday, giving short notice to the U.S. that it also has planes in the air nearby and is calling out for more coordination.