Plane Crash Near Minn. Airport Kills 8

He cried harassment but lost in court

(NEWSER) - Just about everyone has been tagged in at least one awkward Facebook photo, but not everyone has brought a lawsuit against an uncle for uploading such a photo. Minnesota's Aaron Olson did just that. His uncle posted childhood photos of Olson, including one in front of a Christmas tree, along with teasing comments. Olson was so miffed he sued his uncle for harassment—and lost the case, reports Above the Law blog , which rounds up coverage. 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.

Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri all weigh in on Republican primary field

(NEWSER) - Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri will all get a chance to weigh in on the Republican presidential nomination today, in a day that might just change the momentum for Rick Santorum's campaign. Here's what to watch for:

• Santorum's surge: If Santorum is going to make a move, now's the time. According to the latest Public Policy Polling numbers, he's in first, ahead of Mitt Romney, in both Missouri (45% to 32%) and Minnesota (33% to 24%). He's even second in Colorado.

Steve Appleton's experimental aircraft goes down

(AP) - A small experimental plane piloted by the chief executive and chairman of Micron Technology crashed after take-off today at the Boise airport, killing the head of the memory chip company. Steve Appleton, a stunt pilot who survived a similar crash in 2004, was 51. Micron is one of many companies that make semiconductor chips for various devices, including computers, mobile devices, cameras, cars, and industrial systems. It makes products under the Lexar and Crucial brands. More»

Minnesota principal ordered teachers to put an end to game

(NEWSER) - Shocked officials in Minnesota have stepped in to stop disturbing games of "rape tag" on an elementary school playground in New Ulm. The game operated like freeze tag, but before a target could become "unfrozen" another player would have to rub up against them in a way simulating sex. Washington Elementary School Principal Bill Sprung was informed of the game by a concerned parent. He immediately notified teachers and playground monitors to stop the game and discuss it with students—and informed parents. "We addressed it as an inappropriate game," Sprung told MSNBC . He praised the school's handling of the matter, but added that he has been contacted by some 20 parents concerned about how to approach the issue with their children. More»