Aug. 23 (UPI) -- An Illinois judge appointed a former U.S. Attorney as a special prosecutor Friday to lead an investigation into actor Jussie Smollett's report he was assaulted by two men and prosecutors' handling of the case.

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- A woman who went to a Missouri doctor complaining of water in her ear was shocked to be told it was actually a highly venomous brown recluse spider.

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department has apologized for sending an email to immigration courts this week that contained a link to a white nationalist website.

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Americans' confidence in the U.S. economy has dipped slightly since last month and more than 40 percent say things are getting worse, new research said Friday.

Overall, tuberculosis cases have fallen by nearly half, but they still remain much higher among minorities than whites.

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Authorities have evacuated thousands of residents from a Northern California town due to a growing wildfire that's so far charred hundreds of acres.

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The Democratic presidential field grew smaller again Friday, with Rep. Seth Moulton dropping out of the race -- saying only three candidates are in serious contention for the party nomination.

The risk of death among critically ill children in emergency rooms was three times lower for those treated at ERs with greater levels of pediatric readiness, a new study found.

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Japan will begin construction in October on new missile-related units and ammunition storage facilities on an island near the contested Senkaku Islands.

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The risk of heart attack, strokes and heart failure fell by 34 percent for people who took a combo pill of aspirin, a cholesterol drug and two blood pressure medicines reduced the risk of heart attack