Icons of 2011: A 'winning' actor, a runaway bride (AP)

AP - Sure, we had wars, natural disasters, a growing populist movement and a presidential race heating up, not to mention the deaths of a technology icon, a silver-screen goddess and a couple of shadowy dictators.

Voice of Darth Vader swears in NY sheriff friend (AP)

AP - Not every county sheriff gets to be sworn in by the voice of Darth Vader.

Book: Petraeus urged to quit over Afghan drawdown (AP)

AP - Four-star general-turned-CIA director David Petraeus was urged to resign as Afghanistan war commander over President Barack Obama's decision to quickly draw down surge forces, according to a new insider's look at Petraeus' 37-year Army career.

Scandal leaves Paterno's reputation in tatters (AP)

AP - A half-century in the making, Joe Paterno's impeccable reputation was shattered in a matter of days.

Unlike NFL lockout, NBA's truly jeopardizes season (AP)

AP - Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Tolliver was watching back in March, when pro football players such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees announced they were disbanding their union and suing the NFL under antitrust law.