Sealing of BP oil well anticlimactic for many
Associated Press ON THE GULF OF MEXICO — The impending death of BP’s blown-out oil well will bring one piece of the catastrophe that began five months ago to an anticlimactic end — after all, the gusher was capped in July.

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John McCain’s rebel daughter talks politics in new book
On a sweltering 109-degree August day, driving past election signs (John McCain, J.D. Hayworth, Ben Quayle) and cactuses (saguaro), I pulled into a roadside mini-mall, hoping it was the right one. Entering a barnlike Mexican restaurant called Blanco, I scanned the bright blue banquettes for Meghan McCain.

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Levine back for Boston Symphony’s season
BOSTON – James Levine is expected to be back leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra when it begins its fall season next month.

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North Mankato park plan continues to evolve
One goal of the city’s parks committee is to “brand” the parks with the city’s history.

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Armored bridegrooms grab spotlight
Look out, brides – more and more bridegrooms are grabbing your spotlight by donning rich suits of samurai armor. At his wedding reception in Tokyo this spring, 25-year-old Seiya Kurosawa appeared in red armor to the theme song of the popular TV drama “Abarembo Shogun” (wild warlord).

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