In the Nation

GAFFNEY, S.C. - The man suspected of being the serial killer who terrorized a South Carolina community by shooting five people to death was shot to death by police officers yesterday during a burglary. He was identified as a career criminal paroled in April.

Patrick Burris, 41, was shot to death by officers investigating a burglary complaint at a home in Gastonia, N.C., 30 miles from where the killings started June 27. Ballistics tests showed his gun matched the one used to kill residents in and around Gaffney over six days last week, said State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd.

While authorities said evidence left no doubt he was the killer, they still had no idea why he did it. "He was unpredictable. He was scary. He was weird," said SLED Deputy Director Neil Dolan.

Burris had a long rap sheet filled with convictions for larceny, forgery, and breaking and entering in states across the Southeast. He had been paroled from a North Carolina prison after serving nearly eight years for felony breaking and entering and larceny.

- AP

WASHINGTON - The nation's hospitals are near agreement with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.) and the White House to pick up part of the cost of President Obama's plan for expanded health-insurance coverage, officials said yesterday.

The precise size of any deal was not available, although several days ago, talks were focused in the range of $150 billion to $155 billion over a decade. Under the emerging deal, these officials said, hospitals would accept lower-than-anticipated payments under Medicare and Medicaid.

Several officials said no agreement had been sealed, though a formal announcement could come as early as today. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the confidential nature of the discussions. - AP

WASHINGTON - So, did you hear the one about the comedian who spent a whole day on Capitol Hill and told no jokes?

Democrat Al Franken arrived in Washington yesterday content to be as mundane in the Senate as he was brazen in a previous job as a Saturday Night Live performer.

Soon after he showed up in a Senate hallway with Majority Leader Harry Reid, Franken made clear that his new shtick was serious senator from Minnesota.

"I'm going to work day and night," he said. He barely cracked a smile as he talked of his duty to his constituents and listed education, health care, and energy issues as key.

Franken is expected to be sworn in today. - AP

Sarah Palin, who said last week that she would resign as Alaska governor, is not under investigation by the FBI as has been rumored on the Internet, the bureau said yesterday.