HAMILTON, N.Y. (AP) — They’re called “helicopter parents,” for their habit of hovering — hyper-involved — over their children’s lives. Here at Colgate University, as elsewhere, they have become increasingly bold in recent years, telephoning administrators to complain about their children’s housing assignments, roommates and grades. Recently, one parent demanded to know what Colgate planned…

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — As the going gets tougher for the U.S. military in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region, one ally has stepped up despite a recent straining of ties: France. Paris has significantly boosted its military presence in Central Asia and Afghanistan, plus in nearby seas, as both it and Washington…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Redheads sunburn easily, but that may not be the only reason they are at high risk of skin cancer. New research suggests the pigment that colors their skin may set them up for cancer-spurring sun damage even if they do not burn. More than 1 million Americans develop some form of skin…

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Get your sweaters, mittens and hats ready. The Farmers’ Almanac warns that the coming winter will bring unusually sharp fluctuations in temperature, and says readers “may be reminded of riding a roller, or in this case, ‘polar’ coaster.” “Mother Nature seems to be in the mood for some amusement this winter…

SHELBYVILLE — The Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration is working with local and state emergency management officials to prepare for the heavy rains and high winds expected when the remnants of Hurricane Katrina come through the area overnight Monday night and into Tuesday. Current National Weather Service forecasts are calling for 3-5 inches of rainfall and…

ATLANTA (AP) — The one-two punch of Hurricane Katrina and oil prices briefly topping $70-a-barrel is giving the beleaguered major airlines just what they don’t need as they approach a traditionally slow travel season and a few of them flirt with bankruptcy. The storm forced the closure of several airports and caused scores of flight…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retail gasoline prices are poised to jump to new highs this week as Hurricane Katrina barreled toward the heart of U.S. oil production and refining operations in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, sending crude-oil futures briefly above $70 a barrel for the first time. Wholesale gasoline prices in the New York…

By ADAM NOSSITER / Associated Press Writer NEW ORLEANS — Hurricane Katrina plowed into the Gulf Coast at daybreak Monday with shrieking, 145-mph winds and blinding rain, submerging entire neighborhoods up to the rooflines in New Orleans, hurling boats onto land and sending water pouring into Mississippi’s strip of beachfront casinos. At least two highways…

NEW ORLEANS — Hurricane Katrina ripped away part of the roof on the Louisiana Superdome as thousands of storm refugees huddled inside Monday. Strips of metal were peeled away, creating two holes that were visible from the floor of the huge arena. Water dripped in and people were moved away from about five sections of…

EL MIRAGE Ariz. (AP) — President Bush, urging prayer for Gulf Coast communities “hit hard” Monday by Hurricane Katrina, weighed whether to release oil from petroleum reserves to help refiners, administration officials said. “I want the folks there on our Gulf Coast to know that the federal government is prepared to help you when the…