US-AFGHANISTAN

NEW:Official: Obama won't take any current war options

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Obama adminisration official says President Barack Obama does not plan to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team.

Obama is said to be pushing instead for revisions to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government.

Obama is still close to announcing his revamped war strategy — most likely shortly after he returns from a trip to Asia that ends on Nov. 19.

OBAMA-VETERANS

Obama honors veterans at Arlington

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Family members whose loved ones died in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and who visited their graves today at Arlington National Cemetery -- have had a chance to talk to President Barack Obama and his wife.

The Obamas went to the special section of the cemetery after the president delivered Veterans Day remarks there. Obama also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

On this day of tribute to Americans who fought for their country and those who are still serving today, Obama says there's no tribute that can "match the magnitude" of their service and their sacrifice.

Obama's first Veterans Day as president comes as he nears a decision on a revamped war strategy in Afghanistan. It's expected to include sending thousands more troops into the war zone.

FORT HOOD SHOOTING

Shooting suspect's superiors questioned behavior

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of doctors overseeing Nidal Milak Hasan's medical training discussed concerns about his overly zealous religious views and strange behavior months before the Army major was accused of opening fire on soldiers and civilians at Fort Hood, Texas.

A military official familiar with discussions about Hasan says Hasan as a psychiatrist in training was belligerent, defensive and argumentative in his frequent discussions of his Muslim faith. He also had a reputation for being a mediocre student and lazy worker, a matter of concern for doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences military medical school.

The military source spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak publicly about the meetings.

HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL

UPDATE: AP sources: Reid eyes payroll tax hike on wealthy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic officials say Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering higher payroll taxes on the wealthy as part of a bill to overhaul the health care system.

These officials say Reid has been evaluating a proposal to raise the Medicare portion of the payroll tax on incomes over $250,000.

Under current law, individuals pay a tax of 1.45 percent on their income to help fund Medicare, and employers do the same.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss the options under review. Reid's spokesman declined comment and said the Nevada Democrat has made no final decisions on the bill he will introduce in the Senate.

HEALTH OVERHAUL-ABORTION

Abortion rights backers request talks with Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) — Abortion rights supporters in Congress are asking President Barack Obama for a meeting next week on abortion restrictions included in the House health care bill.

Leaders of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus have written to Obama calling the provisions an unprecedented restriction of women's access to health insurance coverage for abortion services.

Ninety lawmakers signed the letter requesting talks with the president.

The House-passed legislation would bar a new government-run insurance plan from covering abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. It prohibits any health plan that receives federal subsidies in a new insurance marketplace from offering abortion coverage.

FAMILY-SEX CRIMES

Five men charged with sex crimes against children

LEXINGTON, Mo. (AP) — Five members of a family are charged in Missouri with sex crimes against children.

The five men arrested Tuesday are charged with several felonies, including forcible sodomy, rape with a child less than 12 years old and use of a child in a sexual performance. Allegations include bestiality and forcing an 11-year-old to have an abortion.

Authorities are searching property outside Bates City that is owned by the family.

Lafayette County Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh said Wednesday that authorities believe there may be a body or bodies buried on the land.

The sheriff is asking for the public's help in the investigation, saying that "there may be other victims out there."

TV ANCHOR ATTACKED

Jury convicts Ark. man in death of TV anchorwoman

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A jury has convicted a man of capital murder in the death of an Arkansas television anchorwoman beaten so badly her face was shattered.

The panel must now decide whether 29-year-old Curtis Lavelle Vance should be executed for the crime or should spend the rest of his life in prison. The jury also convicted him of rape and burglary charges.

Prosecution witnesses said DNA evidence linked Vance to Anne Pressly's death and to a separate rape case in which he has pleaded not guilty. The defense had said police duped Vance into confessing and giving officers a DNA sample to compare with evidence in the case.

Pressly never regained consciousness and died five days after the Oct. 20, 2008, attack at her home.

TV-LOU DOBBS

Lou Dobbs says he is leaving CNN

NEW YORK (AP) — CNN host Lou Dobbs says he is leaving CNN effective immediately.

The longtime host of "Lou Dobbs Tonight" said Wednesday on his show that it would be his last. He said CNN had allowed him to be released from his contact, which would enable him "to pursue new opportunities."

He said he was considering a number of options.

The longest-running anchor on CNN's air, Dobbs was one of the nation's leading financial journalists before turning his program in a more opinionated direction. His persistent advocacy against illegal immigration angered many.

SEVERE WEATHER

NEW: Relentless rains lead Va. gov to declare emergency

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency Wednesday in Virginia as unrelenting rain from a tropical storm soaked the state.

The declaration mobilizes state agencies to prepare for the threat of flooding over a wide swath of Virginia.

The National Weather Service forecasts 3 to 8 inches of rain through Friday morning for parts of the state as remnants of Hurricane Ida crawl across the state.

A coastal flood warning was posted for some areas thanks to a storm surge coinciding with high tide. A flood watch is posted for central, eastern and southeastern areas farther inland.

Kaine's declaration urges Virginians in tidal flood plains and areas prone to flash flooding to be on alert.

MIKE TYSON

NEW: Police say Mike Tyson involved in LAX incident

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police are investigating an incident involving former boxer Mike Tyson and paparazzi at the Los Angeles International Airport.

Airport police spokesman Sgt. Jim Holcomb says the incident happened Wednesday afternoon in Terminal 7.

He had no further details.