In the Nation

WASHINGTON

Research firm sees Black Friday decline

Black Friday shopping is shifting from hours spent in line to more time online.

Sales at retail stores on Black Friday were $10.4 billion this year, down from $11.6 billion in 2014, according to preliminary figures from research firm ShopperTrak. And sales on Thanksgiving dropped to $1.8 billion from just over $2 billion. ShopperTrak has 1,200 members, including retailers and malls, in the U.S and overseas. Their figures don't include e-commerce.

A big reason for the declines is increased online shopping. Another factor: Retailers are offering bargains long before Thanksgiving.

Still, most analysts expect holiday sales to show stronger growth than last year's. - AP
NEW YORK

Rowing journey ends

A man who rowed across the Atlantic for AIDS awareness is back home in Brooklyn after a 21-month journey. Victor Mooney, 49, arrived Friday and plans a ceremony at the Brooklyn Bridge on Monday, he said Saturday. "I'm happy to be in Brooklyn," Mooney said. He rowed in memory of his brother, who died of AIDS in 1983. He said his goal is to spur people to get HIV tests. - AP

MASSACHUSETTS

Baby Doe buried

A funeral was held Saturday in Winthrop for a 2-year-old girl known for months as Baby Doe. Bella Bond's remains were found in June on a Boston Harbor beach; she was identified in September after a composite sketch was circulated. Her mother and the mother's boyfriend have been charged in her death. - AP