Gaza violence...Obama's meetings...First day in new school



GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) Gaza health officials say the death toll is up to 537 since Israel began its military campaign against Hamas. Civilian casualties have spiked since Israel launched a ground offensive Saturday. An Army spokeswoman says more civilian deaths are likely and she's accusing Hamas of putting them in the line of fire.

WASHINGTON (AP) President-elect Barack Obama will be holding a series of meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill today. He'll be focusing on an ambitious economic stimulus package he wants passed quickly. Obama plans to get together with lawmakers from both parties.

WASHINGTON (AP) It's the first day of school in Washington for Barack Obama's two daughters. They're being accompanied by their mom to Sidwell Friends school this morning. Sasha is attending school in a school campus in suburban Maryland, while older sister Malia is in the middle school building in DC.

NEW YORK (AP) Premarket trading is mixed on Wall Street.

Investors are waiting for a Commerce Department report on November construction spending. Good news isn't expected. Automakers are also expected to report further declines in vehicle sales from last month.

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) The FBI is questioning three men in the fatal shooting of an Ohio woman whose 4-year-old son was then left unharmed at an Interstate 70 rest stop in central Ohio. The men were taken from a house in Columbus last night.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-05-09 0751CST | save this article / add to your favorites list