Omar weakens to tropical storm

CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Forecasters say a weakening Omar has become a tropical storm again, far from land in the Atlantic Ocean.

The storm was once a Category 3 hurricane but dropped to tropical-storm strength by Friday morning before briefly regaining hurricane strength later in the day.

It had delivered a glancing blow to the U.S. Virgin Islands and dumped rain on Antigua before heading out into the Atlantic. The storm was blamed for sinking or washing ashore more than 40 boats around St. Croix and causing oil spills.

Its maximum winds were 65 mph as of 10 p.m. CDT Friday. Forecasters say it should gradually weaken as it heads farther out into energy-sapping cold waters.