Drilling chief wants higher fines for offenses (AP)

AP - The Obama administration is considering ways to increase civil penalties for companies that violate rules for offshore drilling, a senior regulator said Thursday.

Former La. Gov. Edwin Edwards out of prison (AP)

AP - Former Gov. Edwin Edwards, a charismatic populist who long dominated Louisiana politics, was released from federal prison Thursday after serving eight years on a corruption conviction and will be allowed to complete his sentence in home detention.

Damp house linked to kids' risk of nasal allergies (Reuters)

Reuters - Children who live in damp, water-damaged homes may be more likely than other kids to develop nasal allergies, a new study suggests.

Relief tunnel should reach BP Gulf well by weekend (AP)

AP - The federal government's spill chief said a relief tunnel should finally reach BP's broken Gulf of Mexico well by the weekend, meaning the three-month-old gusher could be snuffed for good within two weeks.