HOT : National briefs: Buzz Lightyear action figure to come back after more than year in space

Buzz Lightyear to make trip home

The astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle and station packed up Buzz Lightyear on Monday for the ride home from "infinity and beyond." The 12-inch action figure has been at the international space station for more than a year. Mission Control asked Discovery’s crew to do a final check to make certain Buzz was safely stowed on the shuttle in advance of the closing of the hatches between the linked spacecraft. The shuttle will depart today. The toy was used for extensive filming over the past week. NASA said the video will be used in educational outreach efforts for children.

— The Associated Press

Man suspected in serial killings

WISCONSIN — A Milwaukee man whose DNA authorities say links him to the slayings of nine women since 1986 has been charged with two counts of homicide, with more charges expected this week, police and prosecutors said Monday. Walter E. Ellis, 49, was taken into custody after a struggle at a motel Saturday, days after police served a search warrant to obtain a DNA sample, police Chief Edward Flynn said. — The Associated Press