Pentagon confident satellite's toxic fuel destroyed: A dead satellite that's been floating around in space was shot down by a Navy missile late yesterday. Without intervention, the satellite would have fallen to Earth in early March, said officials, and could have dispersed harmful or even potentially deadly fumes over an area the size of two football fields.

Full story: www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/21/satellite.shootdown/index.html

McCain calls reports on lobbyist ties 'not true': Sen. John McCain appeared in a press conference Thursday to deny allegations of a romantic relationship with a lobbyist. The New York Times reported that anonymous aides had urged Sen. McCain and lobbyist Vicki Iseman to stay away from each other prior to his failed presidential campaign in 2000.

Full story: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23271556/

First light-rail-car collision: Officials are investigating what might be the first accident between a light rail car and a motor vehicle. The incident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday at the Charlotte Area Transit System's light rail line crossing on Clanton Road near South Boulevard.

Full story: www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/503043.html