Wolf, fox, beaver, otter, mink, lynx: take your pick. Alaskans stuff 'em and keep snug in 'em too, finds Pamela Wade.

A family in Texas claim to have shot and killed a chupacabra, a mythical creature with a reputation for sucking blood from live-stock across America.

These five American ski resorts offer everything required for a great winter holiday workout.

Sam Wetherell finds himself an object of curiosity - and possible conversion - in Utah.

Whistler Mountain and the surrounding areas are a must-do experience after they were transformed for the 2010 Winter Olympics, writes an impressed James Ihaka.

Britney Spears' big, bold and beautiful over-the-top shows are pulling in the crowds on The Strip at Las Vegas.

Rhys Darby's guide to the greatest hits of the United States.

Detroiters are fighting back against the drug dealers, rapists and gangs who have made life almost intolerable for years in this embattled Michigan city.

Cocktail smacks normal over the edge, writes Kelly Lynch.

Las Vegas may never sleep but Daniel Richardson found just the place to relax - in glorious Roman style.

Brett Atkinson climbs aboard Portland, Oregon's Ale Trail of tastes at craft brew pubs.

From waterfalls, geysers and grizzly bears to wildflowers, beaches and canyons, America's national parks have something for everyone.

If you're a water baby like Megan Singleton, there's lots to do in California's Marina del Rey.

Want to see some real cowboys and cowgirls at work? Head to one of these rodeo hotspots.

Twice a year, inmates of a maximum-security prison stage a public rodeo. Nigel Tisdall went along.

There'll never be enough time to do everything you want to in New York City, but Wynne Gray gives it a very good crack.

After two months on the run from the police, one criminal decided to celebrate by sharing a wanted picture of himself on Facebook - before being arrested hours later.

As America's oldest highway marks its centenary, Chris Moss rounds up the options for a US fly-drive.

Jennifer Ennion finds a warm welcome waiting for her at boutique ski resort Beaver Creek.

The "secrets-for-brownie points" case has been escalated to Customs Minister Maurice Williamson - but he says it has nothing to do with him.

A senior Customs official told colleagues in charge of highly personal information they could earn "brownie points"if they passed secrets to the FBI.

The sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial who has been accused of being a fake has signed at past ANC events.

"There was no meaning in what he used his hands for." An investigation is launched into whether a fake sign language interpreter worked his way into Mandela's service.

Time magazine has named Pope Francis its person of the year, saying that in nine months in office the head of the Catholic Church had become a new voice of conscience.

The alternative spirit is seeping across the bay to Oakland, a once down-at-heel city that's on the up, says Christian Koch.

The state's ski resorts are taking the offensive in ensuring their industry isn't hurt by recreational marijuana stores.

The city's best attractions are the ones you can visit for free, writes Charmaine Noronha.

Sites associated with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 are scattered throughout Dallas and beyond.