Actors are feted for their ability to step into the shoes of others and portray their physical mannerisms and emotional traits. However, there are some actors who for one reason or another find themselves simply reprising the same role time after time.

BUENA, N.J. — He was raised in New Jersey, where he was on the high school wrestling team and earned a black belt in karate. Nearly a decade later, Sharif Mobley is under arrest in Yemen, suspected of being an al-Qaida member and accused of killing a guard in an attempt to break out of a hospital.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — Marine mammal experts say dozens of hungry and sick sea lion pups have washed up on Southern California beaches this winter and many have died at rescue centers.

Timothy Vincent said the image miraculously appeared a few weeks ago in his backyard. He said one day he saw an odd woodpecker on his tree and when the bird few away, the face of Jesus was there.

MIAMI — Devotees of a man claiming to practice a traditional African religion said they had to ingest the mucus of a Giant African Snail that sickened them. Federal authorities in January raided the Miami man’s home after receiving complaints.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Investigators have been unable to substantiate or refute claims that students were abused physically and sexually some 40 years ago at a state reform school, according to a final report issued Thursday.

Three nominees were chosen today to fill the position of associate circuit judge in Platte County. The opening was created when Judge Gary D. Witt was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District of Missouri.

What’s on News 3? Celebrate Spring!

Trey Thompkins had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Georgia beat Arkansas 77-64 in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference tournament on Thursday night.

Safety on college campuses is an important issue raising even more concerns after a shooting at Ohio State University this week.

Thursday, the PCSSD school board launched an investigation into tracking down an insider who leaked a personnel report to the NAACP.

The Republican candidate for California governor has stakes in oil and gas concerns that seek to influence the state. Her wealth is estimated at $1.2 billion. Billionaire GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has invested her vast wealth in firms that sought to profit from the country’s credit crisis, in venture capital and hedge funds open only to the wealthy, and in oil, gas, healthcare and …

City officials consider whether to reopen a towering pile of sand, which was fenced off last year amid concerns about erosion and residents’ complaints about noise, litter and traffic. The hill at Sand Dune Park in Manhattan Beach is quiet. A shred of yellow caution tape flutters near the top of the dune. Partway down, a sign on a crooked pole directs children to the left, adults to the right …

L.A.’s mayor will propose an increase of 2.7 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity consumed. It’s expected to add $2 a month to the bills of 55% of customers. Its effect on the other 45% isn’t known. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s political team has spent the last two months talking up the need for the Department of Water and Power to adopt a so-called carbon surcharge, one that would …

In 2002, the U.S. 9th Circuit of Appeals had ruled that the pledge’s use of ‘One nation under God’ made it unconstitutional. The panel now says no federal law requires students to recite it. The Pledge of Allegiance to “one nation under God” doesn’t violate a citizen’s right to be free of state-mandated religion, a divided federal appeals court ruled Thursday in reversing one of its most …

John Albert Gardner III, charged with killing Chelsea King, violated parole in 2007 by living near a school. Officials opted against returning him to prison because he complied with relocation orders. The sex offender charged with murdering Chelsea King violated parole in 2007 by living near a school, but state officials opted against sending him back to prison because he complied with orders to …

Claudia Cabrera and Josue Luna face at least three years in prison in the 2009 crash near campus that left Adrianna Bachan, 18, dead and her friend Marcus Garfinkle seriously hurt. A husband and wife pleaded no contest Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a USC student and severely injured another as they walked home last year from a fraternity party near campus.

Instructors won’t be fired, though they used ‘very poor judgment,’ superintendent says. Los Angeles schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines said Thursday that he will reassign three South Los Angeles elementary school teachers who were suspended for having their students display pictures of O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul in a Black History Month parade.

The workers in 4,000 targeted jobs can oust those in lesser posts. The maneuvering could take 7 months. For decades, no matter how grim the budget was, Los Angeles officials avoided laying off even small numbers of workers who had Civil Service protection. That changed Thursday.

Ted Costa says his group, People’s Advocate, has been shut out of efforts to suspend AB 32, which would force oil companies to slash emissions of greenhouse gases. A fight has split backers of a November ballot initiative to suspend California’s 2006 global warming law.

Raul Menjivar’s income from installing hardwood floors went away, but his caring parents didn’t. They’ve become his life raft as he studies to become a teacher. With bill collectors hounding him and the rent chronically late, Raul Menjivar swallowed his pride and moved back home with his parents.

A West Rutland man who allegedly threatened his family members with a knife on Wednesday remained behind bars Thursday after answering to a felony charge. … - By BRENT CURTIS STAFF WRITER6

A baseball field in Center Rutland has been renamed to honor a man who spent many days playing pickup, coaching Little League and taking care of the green he lived across the street from most of his life. … - By PATRICIA MINICHIELLO STAFF WRITER

MONTPELIER – Residents in dozens of towns across the state have approved increased property tax exemptions for disabled veterans. … - By PETER HIRSCHFELD VERMONT PRESS BUREAU

KILLINGTON — The Killington Teen Center plans to hold a fundraiser on Sunday,”The Battle of the Bands.” …

High schools in Rutland, Fair Haven and Brandon have been named to Vermont’s top 10 list of “persistently low-achieving schools,” eligible for federal stimulus funding if they choose to change their schools. … - By CRISTINA KUMKA STAFF WRITER

A hastily scheduled Rutland Police Commission meeting today appears noteworthy for a number of reasons. … - By BRENT CURTIS Staff Writer

Lori LaPenna spent most of last year wondering why Christmas and birthday checks she sent out never reached her nephew. … - By GORDON DRITSCHILO STAFF WRITER

The state’s health-care programs were hit hard; Republicans and Democrats are at odds.

Citing economic concerns, the Diocese of Phoenix is laying off people for the second consecutive year.