WASHINGTON (AP) — On his first Thanksgiving in the White House, President Barack Obama has telephoned 10 U.S. servicemen and women stationed in war zones to thank them for their service. Obama is spending the holiday at the White House with family and friends. He's expected to announce a new battle plan for Afghanistan next week.

BARAKI-BARAK, Afghanistan (AP) — A soldier in Afghanistan says he feels he's with family today, "just like we would be at Thanksgiving back home." Staff Sgt. Ben McKinnon and his fellow troops are gathering for a holiday meal in between patrols. They're feasting on ham, sweet potatoes and other traditional treats -- along with turkeys they bought from a local farmer.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service is checking into a security breach during this week's White House state dinner. That's after a Virginia couple slipped into the private event and bragged about it online. The two have posted photos showing the couple posing with Vice President Joe Biden and White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, among others.

CHICAGO (AP) — Food pantries nationwide say they're seeing the greatest demand in years, with much of it coming from first-time visitors. Experts say the reasons are layoffs and reduced wages for millions of Americans.

DETROIT (AP) — Tens of thousands of people have been watching Detroit's 83rd annual America's Thanksgiving Parade. The rolling extravaganza features marching music, hip hop and Motown. The parade also features about 1,000 clowns, dozens of floats, and 110 papier-mache heads representing famed Detroit and Michigan personalities.