Secret op made public... Militants threaten another hostage... Grand jury convenes

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say President Barack Obama authorized a rescue mission intended to save American hostages in Syria this summer, but the special ops forces couldn't find any. A spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council says the administration never intended to disclose the operation, but went public because a number of media outlets were preparing to report on it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration revealed the rescue operation a day after militants released a video showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley and threatened to kill a second hostage. Despite the threats, the U.S. launched a new barrage of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq on Wednesday.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A grand jury has begun hearing evidence to determine whether a police officer should be charged in the shooting death of Michael Brown. A spokesman for the St. Louis County prosecutor says there's no timeline for the process, but it could take weeks.

KERNVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire 50 miles northeast of Bakersfield, California, burning in steep terrain, has destroyed eight homes and 10 other structures. But residents of some 200 homes under evacuation orders were allowed to return home Wednesday evening.

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Two teenagers suspected of plotting a mass shooting at a suburban Los Angeles high school are denying charges that they made criminal threats against another boy. The teens haven't been specifically charged in connection with the suspected school shooting plot. However, additional charges may be filed as investigators uncover more evidence.