The number of women in state government leadership positions is on the rise, with the percentage nearly mirroring their representation in the general population in six states, a study has found. Of the governor-appointed posts in all 50 states last year, 35 percent were held by women, up from 28 percent a decade earlier, according to the report by the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society at New York's State University at Albany. In Alaska, Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, Vermont and Washington, the number of women in senior policy positions is roughly even with their percentage of the state population. Montana is the only state where the percentage of women in top state government positions —- 54.5 —- exceeds that of women in the state's overall population —- 50.2.

Mayor cited again of violating bond

A Michigan prosecutor accused Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick of violating his bond again by spending time over the weekend with his sister, one of 11 witnesses in an assault case against him. Kilpatrick and Ayanna Kilpatrick were together at their mother's house Saturday, a day after he was released from jail for violating bond in a separate perjury case. An attorney for Kilpatrick said, however, that a magistrate had ruled Friday that Kilpatrick could have contact with his sister. A hearing on the matter is set today.

Horse masseuse sues over ban

Mercedes Clemens is certified to massage humans, but she claims the state of Maryland is keeping her from her first love: massaging horses. She shut down her equine massage practice in a Washington, D.C., suburb after state officials told her state law only allows veterinarians to perform such services. Now she's suing two state agencies, saying regulators are unfairly barring registered massage therapists who want to practice on animals. Animal-massage regulations vary from state to state, and Clemens' case is being closely watched by those in the animal-massage industry, who say business has grown steadily along with interest in other alternative treatments and pampering for pets. The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage plans to start an online exam next month to create credential standards.

Violence sparks citywide curfew

Hartford, Conn., officials are imposing a 30-day citywide curfew on everyone younger than 18 years old in response to recent violence, including the shootings of seven people after a parade over the weekend. Mayor Eddie Perez and police announced new public safety measures Monday that also include increased supervision of people on probation and creating a "Most Watched List" of suspects wanted for crimes or known to be associated with illegal activities.

Priestly behavior with kids outlined

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has issued a detailed list of inappropriate behaviors for priests, saying they should not kiss, tickle or wrestle children. The newest version of the archdiocese's Decree on Child Protection also prohibits bear hugs, lap-sitting and piggyback rides. But it says priests may still shake children's hands, pat them on the back and give high-fives. The new rules, issued last week, also mandate background checks for contractors working with children.

Foreign pilots train with Air Force

India's military pilots are participating for the first time in Air Force training exercises above the Nevada desert, marking another step in steadily improving U.S. relations with the Asian subcontinent nation. South Korean and French pilots also are taking part in the combat exercises that began Monday and will put about 65 airplanes in the skies over two weeks, Air Force officials said.

Katrina aid group raided by feds

Federal agents have descended on a nonprofit organization the city of New Orleans hired to run a home cleanup program after Hurricane Katrina. FBI spokeswoman Sheila Thorne said FBI and IRS agents, among others, went to the offices of the New Orleans Affordable Homeownership Corp. on Monday. Some were photographed wheeling boxes from the building. The corporation was hired to run a program to assist poor and elderly hurricane victims. Local media reports have scrutinized ties between its former director and several contractors and questioned whether some of the work it billed to the city was actually performed.

NASA criticized over ship design

NASA is not properly emphasizing safety in its design of a new spaceship, an agency safety panel found. The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel cited "surprising anxiety among NASA employees" about the Constellation moon program and said the project "lacks clear direction." Officials in charge of the program, defending the design safety at a news conference, wouldn't say whether the worried employees include astronauts, who are to fly the Orion crew capsule beginning in 2015.

—- From news services

Police work trio of weekend bus crashes

Tire tread separation may have caused a casino worker shuttle bus crash that injured 29 people Sunday night near the Las Vegas Strip, a Nevada Highway Patrol officer said Monday. Three people, including the driver, remained in critical condition Monday. It was Sunday's second casino bus crash, following an accident in Mississippi to a Harrah's Tunica bus that flipped on the way to an airport and killed three people and injured more than 30. Authorities were still investigating the cause of that crash. In Texas, 17 people have died as a result of a wreck Friday that involved a chartered bus carrying Vietnamese-American religious pilgrims. Authorities said that vehicle's right front tire, which blew out, had been retreaded in violation of safety standards.

—- Associated Press