20 hostages dead in Dhaka...Tweaks in NC law don't help LGBT...Ca. wildfires threaten homes

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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Officials say paramilitary troops who mounted the rescue operations at a Bangladeshi restaurant attacked by militants recovered explosive devices and sharp weapons from the scene of the 10-hour standoff where 20 hostages died. A top Bangladesh military official says six militants were killed and 13 captives were rescued. The SITE Intelligence Group says the Islamic State group claimed responsibility.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Nothing's changing for LGBT people in North Carolina after the Legislature made tweaks to a law limiting protections. The small changes made won't enhance workplace protections on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, nor does it affect other provisions decried by gay rights advocates, business leaders and other high-profile critics, including bathroom access.

FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Residents of Bear Valley Springs in central California are on alert as a wildfire creeps toward the town of about 5,000 people. Kern County fire officials say the blaze broke out yesterday afternoon. Some people have been told to evacuate though it's not clear how many. Authorities say a wildfire in Northern California's Sierra foothill forced 1,650 people from their homes.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A report presents mixed results for reforms at the Albuquerque police department designed to deal with what the Justice Department has called a culture of excessive force. The court-appointed monitor's report says the department struggled to adequately investigate use-of-force cases, while the department's SWAT units showed improvement in de-escalating standoffs and other high-stress situations.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — A top manager for billionaire Carl Icahn says Atlantic City's main casino workers' union appears "hell-bent" on trying to shut down the Trump Taj Mahal casino as a strike against the struggling gambling hall enters its second day. The main sticking point is the union's demand that health care and pension plans for the casino's 1,000 unionized workers be restored.