Victor Herbert Operetta Has One Foot on Broadway By 1905, it was starting to be difficult to tell Victor Herbert operettas apart from the musical comedies of that time.   Full Story

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. A robot powered by a ground-based laser beam climbed a long cable dangling from a helicopter last week to qualify for prize money in a $2 million competition to test the potential reality of the science fiction concept of space elevators.   Full Story

VERNON -- After more than four years serving the town of Vernon, Mary Beth Hebert has taken the reins of the police department.   Full Story

The Associated Press BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins have signed backup goalie Tuukka (TOO’-kah) Rask to a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2011-12 season.   Full Story

JERUSALEM (AP) -- By saying he wants to step down as president, Mahmoud Abbas has highlighted a deep Palestinian despair rooted in decades of failed peace initiatives and fruitless violence.   Full Story