Around the Nation

Since October, a natural gas storage well near Los Angeles has been spewing hundreds of tons of methane gas each day. The leak isn't expected to be fixed for months.

The New York Police Department has agreed to settle a pair of lawsuits that allege it illegally targeted Muslims in terrorism investigations. The settlement, if approved by a judge, will codify rules for terrorism investigations and provide more oversight.

Republicans control the reins of power in Florida, but Democrats think the new maps will help them unseat some GOP incumbents both in Congress and in the state Legislature.

At least three genes that predispose some of us to hay fever and other allergies came from Neanderthal DNA, scientists say. The genes very likely boosted the immunity of our early ancestors.

The occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in southeast Oregon has brought heightened attention to the federal government's management of public lands. The ranchers of Harney County, Ore., have a long history of both working with and struggling with the Bureau of Land Management. Some ranchers blame the area's economic hardship on federal mismanagement of public lands, but others see the government agency as a valuable partner.

Outside groups were expected to propel candidates this year. But in the 2016 Republican primary, they are having little impact on who's up and who's down.

In Harney County, Oregon, Sheriff David Ward's patience is wearing thin. It's been several days since armed, anti-government militants took over a federal wildlife refuge.

With Ted Cruz and Donald Trump racing for first place in next month's primary, Bush and Rubio are vying for third, which would give them momentum going in to the New Hampshire primary.