Next year's Winter Classic could set an attendance record. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced Thursday the Detroit Red Wings will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 1 at Michigan Stadium. (Feb. 9)

A British armored car guard, dubbed 'Fast Eddie' and suspected of driving off with a fortune worth $1.5 million back in 1993 has been captured in rural Missouri, where he had been working as a cable guy and raising a son. (Feb. 9)

The sibling trio is up for best new artist at Sunday's award show, competing against Nicki Minaj, Skrillex, J. Cole and Bon Iver, but says representing country music on the industry's biggest stage is already a career highlight -- win or lose. (Feb. 9)

President Barack Obama says his decision to free 10 states from the No Child Left Behind education law will give the flexibility they need to set high standards for students and hold schools accountable. (Feb. 9)

First-time Grammy nominees Jason Aldean, Eric Church and husband-wife duo Thompson Square talk about what it means to be nominated and what they're looking forward to about Sunday's awards show. (Feb. 9)

Pres. Barack Obama has declared 10 states are free from the No Child Left Behind law, allowing them to scrap some of the most unpopular mandates. In exchange, the states are promising higher standards and more creative ways to measure learning. (Feb. 9)

Speculation about a possible Elfstedentocht reached fever pitch this week after an arctic snap froze canals, rivers and lakes across the country. (Feb. 9)

The Pentagon is unveiling plans Thursday to allow women to serve in thousands of military jobs closer to the front lines, reflecting the realities of the last decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Feb. 9)

Designer Max Azria showed his BCBG Fall collection to kick off New York Fashion Week. Longer lengths, colorblocking, and pleats were dominant. (Feb. 9)

Here's the latest news for Thursday February 9th: Obama gives out education waivers to ten states; More violence in Syria; Former aide running for Gabrielle Giffords' seat; Mount Etna spews lava.

Dramatic amateur footage from Syria appears to show the military firing mortars and artillery at the battered city of Homs. The AP cannot independently verify the source of this material. (Feb. 9)

A top former aide to former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords announced Thursday that he will seek to replace her in a special election. (Feb. 9)

President Barack Obama says a $25 billion settlement between mortgage lenders and states over foreclosure abuses "will begin to turn the page on an era of recklessness that has left so much damage in its wake." (Feb. 9)

Europe _ where the Danube River has frozen _ was continuing to struggle with a spell of frigid weather that has claimed hundreds of lives in recent weeks. In Asia, Japan and Afghanistan were among countries hit with snow and ice. (Feb. 9)

Children returned Thursday to Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles where the entire staff was replaced after the arrests of two former teachers on charges of committing lewd acts with students in class. (Feb. 9)

Couples can now end their marriages in the comfort of a hotel room. All the wranglings, arguing and deals can be ironed out with lawyers and mediators in a weekend at the Divorce Hotel. (Feb. 9)

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy talk about their new roles while director Jason Bobin celebrates 'The Muppets' Best Song Oscar nod and Miss Piggy's inimitable sense of style. (Feb. 9)

Syrian forces fired mortars and rockets Thursday in the rebellious city of Homs, the latest salvo in a week-long assault that has killed hundreds as President Bashar Assad's regime tries to crush increasingly militarized pockets of dissent. (Feb. 9)

Federal officials say the five largest mortgage lenders have reached a $25 billion settlement with 49 states over foreclosure abuses that took place after the housing bubble burst. (Feb. 9)

The Greek premier's office said coalition partners reached a deal for new cuts to get Athens a bailout. The word came hours after a marathon session with eurozone partners and the International Monetary Fund failed to get a complete agreement. (Feb. 9)