A scary place: NY State Capitol tours explore building’s ghost stories, legends, folklore

October 6th, 2009 Floor collapses during Ohio 'ghost walk'GERMANTOWN, Ohio — Fire officials say a "ghost walk" tour had a scary ending in Ohio when the floor of a 164-year-old log cabin collapsed, injuring two people. Fire Chief Dan Alldred says the first floor of the Toll House gave way as the local historical society was wrapping up Sunday evening's tour in Germantown, 13 miles southwest of Dayton.

October 5th, 2009 Spooky lighthouses, from Oregon to FloridaBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — No such thing as ghosts, right? But a lonely lighthouse can look a little spooky on a foggy coastline above the pounding waves.

September 30th, 2009 South Carolina Preservation Society home toursCHARLESTON, S.C. — South Carolina's oldest city is preparing to open its most beautiful homes to visitors.

September 30th, 2009 Not-so-ordinary Tennessee State Capitol is 150NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In this city of songs and sequins, it's not a honky-tonk.

September 21st, 2009 Honololu issues preliminary ban on shark toursHONOLULU — The Honolulu City Council has given preliminary approval to a ban on shark tour businesses operating on Oahu, according to The Honolulu Advertiser. State law already prohibits the operation of shark tours within three miles of the shore.

August 10th, 2009 Kentucky governor's mansion to open for toursFRANKFORT, Ky. —The "Old Governor's Mansion," which has been undergoing a needed revitalization, is scheduled to open for public tours next month.

August 7th, 2009 Water main break floods NYC buildingsNEW YORK — A large water main break has flooded about a dozen New York City buildings, causing evacuations and closing streets within a three block radius in Lower Manhattan. The Fire Department says the 12-inch main broke at the intersection of West Broadway and Duane Street early Friday.

July 30th, 2009 Ariz. lawmakers consider selling Capitol buildingsPHOENIX — Desperate for cash, Arizona state lawmakers are considering selling the House and Senate buildings, then leasing them back over several years before assuming ownership again. Dozens of other state buildings may also be sold off and leased back as the state grapples with a huge budget deficit.

July 29th, 2009 Arizona lawmakers look at selling Capitol for cashPHOENIX — For sale: historic buildings with reliable tenants. Arizona lawmakers, desperate for cash, are considering selling the House and Senate buildings, then leasing them back over several years before assuming ownership again.

July 27th, 2009 Explore the legend of Billy the Kid in NMLINCOLN, N.M. — The New Mexico Tourism Department has launched a Web site dedicated to Billy the Kid.

July 13th, 2009 Chicago bus tours Michael Jackson's home in GaryCHICAGO — A tour company is selling tickets for a tour from Chicago to Gary, Ind., to see Michael Jackson's childhood home and other places associated with his years there. "The King of Pop Hometown Tour," created by Chicago-based J W R Tours, promises stops at 2300 Jackson St., which was the singer's boyhood home; Jackson's junior high school; the high school his siblings attended; the steel mill where his father worked, and one of the first places the Jackson 5 performed.

June 8th, 2009 Minn. governor's residence open for toursST. PAUL, Minn. — The nine-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion that serves as the official home of Minnesota governors has opened for public tours.

June 3rd, 2009 Correction: Tiller Shooting storiesWICHITA, Kan. — In stories May 31 and June 1 about the killing of Wichita abortion provider Dr.

April 30th, 2009 Playwright Conor McPherson wins praise at TribecaNEW YORK — Conor McPherson has made the leap from stage to screen, ghosts in tow. The acclaimed Irish playwright premiered his film "The Eclipse" at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it was met this week with critical praise (Variety called it a film of "seductive grace") and interest from distributors.

April 24th, 2009 Capitol briefly evacuated, White House locked downWASHINGTON — The White House was placed in temporary lockdown Friday and steps taken to evacuate the U.S. Capitol after a plane entered restricted airspace.