John Edwards sets a presidential bid

Former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards is running for president, his campaign said yesterday. The former North Carolina senator plans to formally announce his candidacy today from the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, which was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. But his campaign announced his intentions online. The son of a textile mill worker, Edwards vaulted from nowhere politically into the US Senate and then onto the 2004 Democratic presidential ticket -- in less than six years. (AP)

ILLINOIS

DEERFIELD -- A couple have been charged with allowing their son to have an underage drinking party in their home, after which two teenage partygoers were killed in a car crash. Jeffrey Hutsell, 53, and Sara Hutsell, 52, were charged with five misdemeanors, including endangering the health of a child and trying to obstruct justice, police said Tuesday. Officials allege the Hutsells allowed their teenage son to have a party in their basement where beer and rum were served. Two 18-year-olds who authorities say attended the party, Daniel Bell and Ross Trace, later died in a crash. (AP)

MARYLAND

LEONARDTOWN -- An Army Reservist despondent about his pending deployment to Iraq was killed by police after a 14-hour standoff that began Monday night when family members told authorities he was armed and was threatening to kill himself. James Emerick Dean, 28, had barricaded himself inside his father's house with several weapons Monday night, family members told police. Around noon Tuesday, while police were preparing to use tear gas to force Dean out of the home, Dean came to the front door and pointed his weapon at an officer, St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said. Another deputy shot Dean once, killing him. Dean had already served 18 months in Afghanistan and was despondent after learning recently that he would be deployed to Iraq, family members told police. (AP)