NATIONAL BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: Trump drops debate role

It would have been huge. But Donald Trump has bigger plans than to moderate a presidential debate -- perhaps to participate in one as a candidate. That's his excuse for bowing out of the Dec. 27 forum hosted by Newsmax and Ion Television, which had attracted only two of the Republican candidates. Tuesday, Trump cited the concerns of those who declined the invitation that he might mount an independent bid next spring after his reality show, "The Apprentice," signs off.

Reprieve for post offices

Your neighborhood post office slated for closing might be saved, at least for now. The U.S. Postal Service said Tuesday it will delay the closing or consolidation of thousands of post offices across the country in response to requests from lawmakers who said Congress first needs to pass legislation to overhaul the cash-strapped agency. Post offices and mail processing facilities will not be closed or merged until May 15 at the earliest. But officials hope to resume the closures once Congress OKs legislation to reform the system.

FLORIDA Clarinetist's hazing recalled

A Florida A&M band member beaten so badly she could barely walk was a freshman on a full scholarship who believed she had no choice but to be a part of the hazing rituals, her attorney said Tuesday. Bria Shante Hunter was punched in the legs and hit with spatula, notebook binders and rulers over two consecutive days because she tried to get out of a meeting for a secret group of Georgia natives, the "Red Dawg Order," and because she could not properly recite information about the clique, her attorney said. Three band members, all men, have been charged with hazing in the beating of Hunter, who had a broken thigh and had blood clots in her legs. Two of the men said they plan to plead not guilty. The arrests marked the first details about the secret rituals this fall among the famed Marching 100 band. Police said Hunter, who played clarinet, was beaten about three weeks before drum major Robert Champion died during what was believed to be hazing on a band bus.