7am Headlines

U.S. life expectancy has risen to a new high, now standing at nearly 78 years, the government reported Wednesday.

The increase is due mainly to falling death rates in almost all the leading causes of death. The average life expectancy for babies born in 2007 is nearly three months greater than for children born in 2006.

The new U.S. data is a preliminary report based on about 90 percent of the death certificates collected in 2007


A Cape May beach is still closed as of Wednesday night after raw sewage from a storm drains flowed into the ocean water.

Testing showed bacteria levels were still too high for swimmers.
On Monday night, more than 1,000 gallons of raw sewage made its way into the surf area of Ocean Street and the beach.

Officials say the beach will reopen when water tests show that the bacteria levels have returned to acceptable limits.


The Obama administration said it will wind down its popular "cash for clunkers" incentive program on auto sales -- and may do so as soon as early September, according to one person familiar with the matter.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood sought to reassure auto dealers Wednesday that they would be reimbursed for discounts given to customers under the program


A South African teenager will be forced to take a test to prove she is a woman after storming to victory Wednesday in the 800-meter sprint at the world championships.
Caster Semenya's dominating run, which she won by a massive 2.45 seconds, came on the same day track and field's ruling body said she was undergoing a gender test because of concerns she does not meet requirements to compete as a woman.
It will involve a physical medical evaluation and includes reports from a gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, an internal medicine specialist and an expert on gender.