The 15-year-old Bronx girl who was put in a medically-induced coma after taking a stray bullet to the skull has spoken for the first time since the incident, eight days ago. A source tells the Daily News that Vada Vasquez's first word was "Mom." Her condition has been upgraded to stable and a spokeswoman at Lincoln Hospital says, "She's improving. She's in stable condition and recognizes family members." more ›

Former presidential candidate John Edwards dropped out of a politics event scheduled for Monday at Hofstra University; it would have been his first public appearance after admitting his affair. Hofstra is hosting the third and final presidential debate and has planned a series of other talks with politicians and notables in its Educate '08 program. Edwards's wife Elizabeth was scheduled to appear as well, but she canceled last week--Newsday reports, "At that time, John Edwards confirmed he would show up." But now Edwards has decided to lay low (at least until after the election), saying he doesn't want to be a distraction, "Nothing is more important than electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden." more ›