Nation briefs 10/1/15

Carson raises $20M in past 3 months

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Political newcomer Ben Carson raised more than $20 million in the past three months to fuel his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, his campaign said Wednesday, a haul of campaign cash that shatters records and sets a new bar for his rivals. As other campaigns scrambled to bring in final donations before the end of the fundraising period at midnight, Carson's senior team celebrated its haul at its suburban Washington campaign headquarters. Two dozen staffers shared a red, white and blue chocolate cake topped with frosted numbers "$31,000,000" -- the total amount the retired neurosurgeon's campaign has raised since he launched his White House bid in May. "You know, the pundits all said that we would never be able to mount a national campaign for financial reasons, but here we are approaching 600,000 donations," Carson said while campaigning in New Hampshire.

Clinton raises $28M; Sanders just behind

WASHINGTON -- Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign says it raised $28 million in the past three months to fuel her 2016 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Clinton is trailed tightly by Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose campaign says it raised more than $24 million in that time. Clinton's campaign says 93 percent of the donations were $100 or less. More than 60 percent came from women. Sanders' campaign says it raised at least $1.5 million on Wednesday, the last day of the fundraising period. Campaign spokesman Michael Briggs says most of the contributions came online. Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said she is "thrilled and grateful" for the support.

Principal slightly hurt in shooting

HARRISBURG, S.D. -- The principal of a South Dakota high school was wounded lightly Wednesday in a shooting at the school. School officials say a student suspected in the shooting is in custody, and no students were reported hurt. Harrisburg High School Principal Kevin Lein suffered a flesh wound in the morning attack, superintendent James Holbeck told local media outlets. A student suspected in the shooting was in custody, Lincoln County deputy state's attorney Ross Wright said. He said Lein was in stable condition. District administrative assistant Tracy Heiden said all students were safe, but the school was locked down. The high school has about 635 students.

Man who killed 5 gets life sentences

DENVER -- A man convicted of stabbing five people to death during a Denver bar robbery that netted $170 has been sentenced to five life sentences and an additional 180 years for other felony counts. The judge said he issued the life sentences because he had no other choice after jurors rejected the death penalty. Dexter Lewis, 25, was convicted in August of five counts of murder for the October 2012 stabbings at Fero's Bar and Grill. Prosecutors said Lewis led a four-man robbery crew at Fero's, where he killed the bar's owner and four customers. Two men testified Lewis stabbed his victims while they were held at gunpoint.

-- From wire reports