Topic: Lancaster

Harry Potter is just like ... what? Five leading templates for comparison.

Harry Potter fans just know they love the record-breaking series of books. But everyone from academics to mythologists, classicists to historians, and literary critics to, well, geeks have a special “template” they perceive at the heart of the tale.

From positing Albus Dumbledore as the infamous Richard III to taking us aloft the scaly back of St. George’s dragon, here are five of our top takes on what’s going on behind the scenes in the Harry Potter narratives.

Royal wedding: So who owns the crown jewels?

Royal wedding puts spotlight on a family that has plenty of assets. But most of those on display during the royal wedding are owned by the government.

US agent's killing in Mexico highlights menace of cross-border gun trade

One of three guns fired in the Feb. 15 killing in Mexico of Immigration and Customs Special Agent Jaime Zapata was traced to a Texas weapons dealer.

Lake-effect snow response could have been better: NY Thruway

Lake-effect snow: Executive Director Michael Fleischer said the agency should have closed nearly two dozen non-toll entrance ramps to Interstate 90 much sooner after jackknifed tractor-trailers blocked traffic just east of Buffalo.

World Series quiz: How much do you know about the Texas Rangers?

The World Series, featuring the Rangers and Giants, starts Wednesday night in San Francisco. With the help of texasrangers.com, we'd like to test what you know about the American League champions. You'll find answer for the previous question on following page – and at the end of the quiz.

San Francisco, Los Angeles prosecutors face off in race to replace California Attorney General Jerry Brown

Jerry Brown decided to seek the governor's office rather than run for re-election.

Sunrise for solar heat power

Four technologies aim to use heat from the sun to make electricity. But which one has the edge?

Hutu rebels drop guns, return to Rwanda

Rwanda's Army is flushing FDLR fighters out of Congo.

Etc.

The race to fill your tank with wax paper, grass clippings, and wood chips

Ethanol producers, backed by major investors, say a wide range of materials soon could power your car.

Why Starbucks lost its mojo

It became too common to be trendy – and lost its appeal.

The race for nonfood biofuel

High gas prices and politics push companies toward the ‘holy grail’ of biofuel: cellulosic ethanol.

Why Clinton needs to win big in Pennsylvania

Her viability is at risk if she doesn't, analysts say.