Colorado
Fire crews make progress on most-destructive blaze
BELLVUE - Firefighters are making progress on a 93-square-mile wildfire in northern Colorado that has destroyed more homes than any other in state history, but more residents were warned Tuesday to be ready to leave because of a spot fire that ignited near the main one.
The blaze west of Fort Collins was 55 percent contained. The fire already has destroyed at least 189 homes since it was sparked by lightning June 9.
In New Mexico, firefighters were taking advantage of favorable weather to battle a wildfire that has destroyed 242 homes and businesses. More than 1,100 firefighters remained in Ruidoso as they fight to hold the Little Bear Fire that is now 60 percent contained.
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Louisiana
Southern Baptists elect their first black leader
NEW ORLEANS - The Southern Baptist Convention voted Tuesday to elect its first African-American president in one of its biggest steps yet to reconcile the 167-year-old denomination's troubled racial past and appeal to a more diverse group of believers.
The Rev. Fred Luter Jr. was unopposed in being elected by thousands of enthusiastic delegates on Tuesday. The move took place at the annual meeting of the nation's largest Protestant denomination in Luter's hometown of New Orleans.
The historic election comes as membership and baptisms are on the decline and the Nashville, Tenn.-based denomination is trying to expand its appeal beyond its traditional white Southern base.
Texas
Former TSA inspector admits stealing iPads
FORT WORTH - A former Transportation Security Administration baggage inspector at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport has pleaded guilty to stealing Apple iPads from travelers' luggage over eight months.
Clayton Keith Dovel, 36, of Bedford, Texas, was sentenced by state District Judge Sharen Wilson to three years' deferred-adjudication probation, which means he will not have a conviction on his record if he completes the probation without incident.
Dovel paid restitution of $4,746, split among six victims whose iPads were stolen as they traveled through DFW Airport. The restitution was paid before the guilty plea as part of a deal with prosecutors.
California
Octomom's home fails to attract bids at auction
LOS ANGELES - "Octomom" Nadya Suleman's home was put up for auction Tuesday but there were no bids, so it's been returned to the bank for foreclosure.
Priority Posting and Publishing Inc. required an opening bid of $355,643, but no one bid on the four-bedroom, three-bath house in La Habra, east of Los Angeles.
The auction previously was postponed four times.
It's unknown how long foreclosure might take.
Captain of Navy ship loses job after crash
SAN DIEGO - The Navy relieved the commanding officer of the USS Essex, saying Tuesday that officials lost confidence in his abilities after his ship collided with a tanker at sea.
Capt. Chuck Litchfield had been commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship for only a few weeks when the crash occurred about 120 miles off Southern California on May 16.
There were no injuries or fuel spills.
The Essex was approaching the oiler USNS Yukon to be refueled as part of a routine operation when they ran into each other. Both ships were damaged but were able to continue on their way to San Diego.
Wire reports
