Storms Kill 19 in Mo., Okla.

'Fast Eddie' Maher, alleged thief, caught after 19 years

(NEWSER) - Nearly two decades ago in England, one "Fast Eddie" Maher allegedly stole an armored car packed with $1.6 million in coins and bills. Now Edward John Maher has finally been caught—in a Missouri town, where he was working as a cable guy, the Kansas City Star reports. Maher worked at an armored-car company and stole the loot during a delivery, police say; he's become a legend of sorts in Britain, with one newspaper guessing last year that he'd never be found. More»

Alyssa Bustamante tells Elizabeth Olten's family: I'm so sorry

(NEWSER) - A Missouri teen who pleaded guilty to murdering a 9-year-old girl in a killing she described in her journal as "ahmazing" has been sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, the News Tribune reports. Alyssa Bustamante, 18, made a statement before the sentence was handed down, telling the family of Elizabeth Olten, "If I could give my life to bring her back, I would. I just want to say I'm sorry for what happened. I'm so sorry." Bustamante also received 30 years on the count of armed criminal action, notes the Tribune; the sentences will run consecutively. More»

Romney looks battered, Gingrich looks worse

(NEWSER) - Rick Santorum's stunning sweep of Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri yesterday has thrown another plot twist into the Republican nominating contest. Here's what you need to know:

• Santorum may finally get the bounce that largely eluded him after Iowa, helping him raise money and pique voter interest, the New York Times predicts. His first order of business is staying ahead of Newt Gingrich. After Nevada, he said Gingrich had "had his chance" to beat Romney.

Big win for Rick in non-binding primary

(NEWSER) - Rick Santorum won his first state since Iowa by a resounding 30-point margin. In the Missouri primary, Santorum took 55.2% of the vote to Mitt Romney's 25.3% and Ron Paul's 12.2%, according to the AP. Newt Gingrich wasn't on the ballot, an omission his campaign said was deliberate . The primary is a non-binding "beauty contest," with Missouri awarding its delegates after caucuses next month. "Conservatism is alive and well in Missouri and Minnesota!" he told cheering supporters at a rally in Missouri. More»

He is favored in Missouri and Minnesota

(NEWSER) - Polls show Rick Santorum with a decent chance tonight to win the Missouri primary and Minnesota caucuses, and he's already trying to spin the results, notes Politico : “I feel great that Minnesota is going to change the direction of this race tonight,” said Santorum, who hopes to supplant Newt Gingrich as the anti-Romney choice among conservatives. Gingrich, who isn't even on the Missouri ballot, opted to head to Ohio today, which doesn't vote until March. The other contest tonight is the Colorado caucuses, where Mitt Romney is the favorite. More»