Mervyns going out of business
Sacramento's reeling retail sector took another punch in the gut Friday when Mervyns Holdings LLC announced it is going out of business.The decision by the mid-level clothing and housewares chain wipes out roughly 15,000 jobs at all 149 Mervyns, most of them in California.
Sac Bee
Titanic survivor sells items to pay nursing home
PDT LONDON, United Kingdom (AP) --When 2-month-old Millvina Dean arrived in New York with her mother and brother after surviving the Titanic sinking, city residents gave them a suitcase full of donated clothing to help rebuild their life.Now, more than 96 years later, that gift is helping the world's last Titanic survivor live out her old age.
SF Gate
Drinking mom asks daughter, 9, to drive
TORONTO (Reuters) – An Ontario woman was charged with a traffic violation after having her nine-year-old daughter drive her home following a night of drinking.
Yahoo News
Father takes son to court for idleness
LAGOS (Reuters) – A father took his 20-year old son to an Islamic court in northern Nigeria for idleness, asking that he be sent to prison for refusing to engage in productive activities, state news agency NAN said Friday
Yahoo News
Study: Google does a brain good
(CNN) -- Can Google make you smarter? Is the more you Yahoo, the better? A new study suggests that searching online could be beneficial for the brain.
CNN
Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president
Colin Powell, a Republican who was President Bush's first secretary of state, endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president today and criticized the tone of Republican John McCain's campaign.
Sac Bee
Fashion critic Mr. Blackwell dies in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – Mr. Blackwell, the acerbic designer whose annual worst-dressed list skewered the fashion felonies of celebrities from Zsa Zsa Gabor to Britney Spears, has died. He was 86.
Yahoo News
Plea for long term in Sacramento racial killings answered
The killer of a racially-motivated murder was found guilty on Oct. 17 — two and a half years after the crime.
Sacramento Bee
Police make drastic cuts
The Sacramento Police Department is severely cutting back service as a last resort to avoid laying off cops.Police Chief Rick Braziel said Friday the cutbacks are necessary because of historic budget shortfalls and that the only way to slash more money "is to take people off the payroll."
Sac Bee
Sacramento County stretch of road dedicated to slain deputy sheriff
A mile-long stretch of Meiss Road, east of Dillard Road in southeast Sacramento County, will be dedicated Monday to the memory of Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Mitchell.
Sac Bee
F.B.I. Struggles to Handle Financial Fraud Cases
A focus on terrorism has limited the bureau’s ability to pursue wrongdoing related to the economic crisis.
New York Times
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Group 3
Students adjust to economy
As the effects of the housing crisis and the international economic crisis ripple through everyday life, students and faculty at Sacramento State are forced to change lifestyles. For some, this means driving less; for others, the changes are more severe.
Derek Fleming State Hornet 10/29/2008
Governor warns of possible $10 billion deficit.
California could face a $10 billion budget shortfall this year, far worse than the deficit projected only three weeks ago, officials from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office warned education leaders on Tuesday, according to several schools representatives.
Mathew Yi San Francisco Chronicle 10/29/2008
Stocks waffle ahead of Fed rate decision
Wall Street drifted in quiet trading Wednesday after its huge rally a day earlier, as investors awaited an afternoon decision on interest rates from the Federal Reserve. The major indexes alternated between gains and losses.
Tim Paradis Associated Press 10/29/2008
Sacramento State is going solar
California State University, Sacramento, along with other schools in the state university system, is taking part in a new solar energy agreement with SunEdison.
Walter Yost Sacramento Bee 10/24/08
Washington diary: Democratic South?
There are many battles being fought simultaneously in 2008. But the most important one is perhaps between small town and big town America. By: Matt Frei BBC News 10/28/08
Hate crime charge in prop. 8 attack
A Torrance man has been charged with a felony hate crime assault for allegedly using an anti-gay marriage "Yes on Prop. 8" lawn sign to attack a gay man wearing a "No on 8" button.
Associated Press 10/29/2008
No free time for student athletes
Student athletes have to strike a delicate balance between school and sports practice.
Amy Lewis State Hornet 10/22/2008
Accused man allegedly drives stolen SUV to court
SAN ANSELMO, Calif. – Police have charged a man with stealing a Lexus SUV he drove to court the day a jury was to decide whether to convict him in a separate auto theft case.
Yahoo News 10/28/2008
Reluctant groom sets hotel on fire?
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese man set fire to the hotel where he was due to get married at the weekend, rather than go through with the ceremony later the same day, newspaper reports said Monday.
Yahoo News 10/28/2008
81-year-old finds love online
BEIJING (Reuters) – An 81-year-old Chinese man has proved age need not be a barrier to Internet love, marrying a 58-year-old bride met online, a local newspaper reported. Yahoo News 10/27/08
As the effects of the housing crisis and the international economic crisis ripple through everyday life, students and faculty at Sacramento State are forced to change lifestyles. For some, this means driving less; for others, the changes are more severe.
Derek Fleming State Hornet 10/29/2008
Governor warns of possible $10 billion deficit.
California could face a $10 billion budget shortfall this year, far worse than the deficit projected only three weeks ago, officials from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office warned education leaders on Tuesday, according to several schools representatives.
Mathew Yi San Francisco Chronicle 10/29/2008
Stocks waffle ahead of Fed rate decision
Wall Street drifted in quiet trading Wednesday after its huge rally a day earlier, as investors awaited an afternoon decision on interest rates from the Federal Reserve. The major indexes alternated between gains and losses.
Tim Paradis Associated Press 10/29/2008
Sacramento State is going solar
California State University, Sacramento, along with other schools in the state university system, is taking part in a new solar energy agreement with SunEdison.
Walter Yost Sacramento Bee 10/24/08
Washington diary: Democratic South?
There are many battles being fought simultaneously in 2008. But the most important one is perhaps between small town and big town America. By: Matt Frei BBC News 10/28/08
Hate crime charge in prop. 8 attack
A Torrance man has been charged with a felony hate crime assault for allegedly using an anti-gay marriage "Yes on Prop. 8" lawn sign to attack a gay man wearing a "No on 8" button.
Associated Press 10/29/2008
No free time for student athletes
Student athletes have to strike a delicate balance between school and sports practice.
Amy Lewis State Hornet 10/22/2008
Accused man allegedly drives stolen SUV to court
SAN ANSELMO, Calif. – Police have charged a man with stealing a Lexus SUV he drove to court the day a jury was to decide whether to convict him in a separate auto theft case.
Yahoo News 10/28/2008
Reluctant groom sets hotel on fire?
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese man set fire to the hotel where he was due to get married at the weekend, rather than go through with the ceremony later the same day, newspaper reports said Monday.
Yahoo News 10/28/2008
81-year-old finds love online
BEIJING (Reuters) – An 81-year-old Chinese man has proved age need not be a barrier to Internet love, marrying a 58-year-old bride met online, a local newspaper reported. Yahoo News 10/27/08
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Group 2 10/28
McCain running out of time, polls show
John McCain's campaign is banking its fortunes on a come-from-behind win in Pennsylvania, but a new CNN poll of polls of the Keystone state suggests the Arizona senator has made little progress there over the last week.
CNN
Feds disrupt skinhead plot to assassinate Obama
WASHINGTON – Two white supremacists allegedly plotted to go on a national killing spree, shooting and decapitating black people and ultimately targeting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, federal authorities said Monday.
Yahoo!
Rain Interrupts Game 5 in Philadelphia
In the first World Series game to be suspended due to rain, the Phillies and Rays were tied, 2-2, in the middle of the sixth inning. It is scheduled to resume Tuesday at 8 p.m. By Tyler Kepner, Tuesday, October 28, 2008
NY Times
Effigy of Sarah Palin hanging by a noose creates uproar in West Hollywood
By Victoria Kim | 6:58 PM PDT Los Angeles sheriff's officials say the Halloween display isn't a hate crime. Authorities are keeping an eye on the house to make sure the situation doesn't get out of hand.
LA Times
Hot ticket this Halloween? You betcha!
On the campaign trail, the closest that Sarah Palin came to a public appearance in San Francisco was a rally in Burlingame. But the streets of the city will be awash with Palins during this weekend's Halloween festivities. By Peter Hartlaub, Monday, October 27, 2008
SF Gate
One Person Shot on Ethan Way
SAC-Sacramento County sheriffs responded to a shooting on Ethan Way near the Arden Fair Mall. Dispatchers said the shooting occured around 9:20 last night.
Sacbee
Jury Convicts Alaska's Stevens
The Senate's longest-serving Republican has been convicted of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor.
NPR
Invisibility Cloak And Ultra-powerful Microscopes
A new research field called transformation optics may usher in a host of radical advances including a cloak of invisibility and ultra-powerful microscopes and computers by harnessing nanotechnology and "metamaterials."
Science Daily
Charles Barkley sets sights on governor's office
Former NBA star Charles Barkley spoke Monday to CNN's Campbell Brown about politics, race and his plans to run for governor in his boyhood home state of Alabama.
CNN
Religious outcry sparks LittleBigRecall
LittleBigPlanet, one of this year's most-anticipated PlayStation 3 releases, won't be arriving in stores next week as expected.
Yahoo!
Group 2
Leslie G
Leidhra J
Abbie E
Rebecca S
Kristin G
Garrett M
John McCain's campaign is banking its fortunes on a come-from-behind win in Pennsylvania, but a new CNN poll of polls of the Keystone state suggests the Arizona senator has made little progress there over the last week.
CNN
Feds disrupt skinhead plot to assassinate Obama
WASHINGTON – Two white supremacists allegedly plotted to go on a national killing spree, shooting and decapitating black people and ultimately targeting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, federal authorities said Monday.
Yahoo!
Rain Interrupts Game 5 in Philadelphia
In the first World Series game to be suspended due to rain, the Phillies and Rays were tied, 2-2, in the middle of the sixth inning. It is scheduled to resume Tuesday at 8 p.m. By Tyler Kepner, Tuesday, October 28, 2008
NY Times
Effigy of Sarah Palin hanging by a noose creates uproar in West Hollywood
By Victoria Kim | 6:58 PM PDT Los Angeles sheriff's officials say the Halloween display isn't a hate crime. Authorities are keeping an eye on the house to make sure the situation doesn't get out of hand.
LA Times
Hot ticket this Halloween? You betcha!
On the campaign trail, the closest that Sarah Palin came to a public appearance in San Francisco was a rally in Burlingame. But the streets of the city will be awash with Palins during this weekend's Halloween festivities. By Peter Hartlaub, Monday, October 27, 2008
SF Gate
One Person Shot on Ethan Way
SAC-Sacramento County sheriffs responded to a shooting on Ethan Way near the Arden Fair Mall. Dispatchers said the shooting occured around 9:20 last night.
Sacbee
Jury Convicts Alaska's Stevens
The Senate's longest-serving Republican has been convicted of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor.
NPR
Invisibility Cloak And Ultra-powerful Microscopes
A new research field called transformation optics may usher in a host of radical advances including a cloak of invisibility and ultra-powerful microscopes and computers by harnessing nanotechnology and "metamaterials."
Science Daily
Charles Barkley sets sights on governor's office
Former NBA star Charles Barkley spoke Monday to CNN's Campbell Brown about politics, race and his plans to run for governor in his boyhood home state of Alabama.
CNN
Religious outcry sparks LittleBigRecall
LittleBigPlanet, one of this year's most-anticipated PlayStation 3 releases, won't be arriving in stores next week as expected.
Yahoo!
Group 2
Leslie G
Leidhra J
Abbie E
Rebecca S
Kristin G
Garrett M
Why McCain is getting hosed in the press
Jim VandeHei, John F. Harris Jim Vandehei, John F. Harris 52 mins ago
Politico political editor Charles Mahtesian was e-mailing the other day with a Republican lobbyist, who signed off with a plea that sounded more like a taunt: “Keep it balanced.”
A reader e-mailed us with the same sentiment in different language. “Are you f***ing joking! Your bias has stooped to an all-time low. Wait, it will probably get worse as election day nears.” Those asterisks, by the way, are hers, not ours.
And get a load of this one, from someone in Rochester, N.Y., who did not like our analysis of the final presidential debate. “You guys are awfully tough on McCain. There may be some legitimacy to the claim of press bias. Mom.”
We were all set to dismiss Harris’s mother as a crank. Same for VandeHei’s: a conservative dismayed by what she sees as kid-glove treatment of Obama. Then along came a study—funded by the prestigious Pew Research Center, no less—suggesting at first blush at least that they may be on to something.
The Project for Excellence in Journalism’s researchers found that John McCain, over the six weeks since the Republican convention, got four times as many negative stories as positive ones. The study found six out of ten McCain stories were negative.
What’s more, Obama had more than twice as many positive stories (36 percent) as McCain — and just half the percentage of negative (29 percent).
You call that balanced?
Okay, let’s just get this over with: Yes, in the closing weeks of this election, John McCain and Sarah Palin are getting hosed in the press, and at Politico.
And, yes, based on a combined 35 years in the news business we’d take an educated guess—nothing so scientific as a Pew study—that Obama will win the votes of probably 80 percent or more of journalists covering the 2008 election. Most political journalists we know are centrists—instinctually skeptical of ideological zealotry—but with at least a mild liberal tilt to their thinking, particularly on social issues.
So what?
Before answering the question, indulge us in noting that the subject of ideological bias in the news media is a drag. The people who care about it typically come at the issue with scalding biases of their own. Any statement journalists make on the subject can and will be used against them. So the incentive is to make bland and guarded statements. Even honest ones, meanwhile, will tend to strike partisans as evasive or self-delusional.
Here goes anyway.
There have been moments in the general election when the one-sidedness of our site—when nearly every story was some variation on how poorly McCain was doing or how well Barack Obama was faring—has made us cringe.
As it happens, McCain’s campaign is going quite poorly and Obama’s is going well. Imposing artificial balance on this reality would be a bias of its own.
Politico was not included in the Pew study. But our researcher Alex Burns pulled out his highlighter pen and did his own study of Politico's October stories last week. 110 stories advanced a narrative that was more favorable to Obama than McCain. Sixty-nine did the opposite.
Our daily parlor game (which some readers, alas, seem to take a bit more solemnly than we do) declaring “who won the day” has awarded the day to Obama more often by a two-to-one margin. It’s doubtful even McCain would say he’s had more good days than that.
Still, journalists should do more than just amplify existing trends. A couple weeks back, Politico managing editor Bill Nichols sent out a note to the campaign team urging people to cough up more story ideas that took a skeptical look at the campaign tactics and policy proposals of the Democrat, who is likely to be president three months from now. As it happened, the response was a trickle (though Nichols and Mahtesian came up with some ideas of their own.)
Responsible editors would be foolish not to ask themselves the bias question, especially in the closing days of an election.
But, having asked it, our sincere answer is that of the factors driving coverage of this election—and making it less enjoyable for McCain to read his daily clip file than for Obama—ideological favoritism ranks virtually nil.
The main reason is that for most journalists professional obligations trump personal preferences. Most political reporters (investigative journalists tend to have a different psychological make-up) are temperamentally inclined to see multiple sides of a story, and being detached from their own opinions comes relatively easy.
Reporters obsess about personalities and process, about whose staff are jerks or whether they seem like decent folks, about who has a great stump speech or is funnier in person than they come off in public, about whether Michigan is in play or off the table. This is the flip side of the fact of how much we care about the horse race---we don’t care that much about our own opinions of which candidate would do more for world peace or tax cuts.
If that causes skeptics to scoff, perhaps they would find it more satisfying to hear that the reason ideological bias matters so little is that other biases matter so much more.
This is true in any election year. But the 2008 election has had some unique—and personal—phenomena.
One is McCain backlash. The Republican once was the best evidence of how little ideology matters. Even during his “maverick” days, McCain was a consistent social conservative, with views on abortion and other cultural issues that would have been odds with those of most reporters we know. Yet he won swooning coverage for a decade from reporters who liked his accessibility and iconoclasm and supposed commitment to clean politics.
Now he is paying. McCain’s decision to limit media access and align himself with the GOP conservative base was an entirely routine strategic move for a presidential candidate. But much of the coverage has portrayed this as though it were an unconscionable sell-out.
Since then the media oftens presume bad faith on McCain’s part. The best evidence of this has been the intense focus on the negative nature of his ads, when it is clear Obama has been similarly negative in spots he airs on radio and in swing states.
It is not our impression that many reporters are rooting for Obama personally. To the contrary, most colleagues on the trail we’ve spoken with seem to find him a distant and undefined figure. But he has benefited from the idea that negative attacks that in a normal campaign would be commonplace in this year would carry an out-of-bounds racial subtext. That’s why Obama’s long association with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was basically a non-issue in the general election.
Journalists’ hair-trigger racial sensitivity may have been misplaced, but it was not driven by an ideological tilt.
In addition, Obama has benefited from his ability to minimize internal drama and maximize secrecy—and thus to starve feed the press’s bias for palace intrigue. In this sense, his campaign bears resemblance to the two run by George W. Bush.
Beyond the particular circumstances of McCain v. Obama, there are other factors in any race that almost always matter more than the personal views of reporters.
The strongest of these is the bias in favor of momentum. A candidate who is perceived to be doing well tends to get even more positive coverage (about his or her big crowds or the latest favorable polls or whatever). And a candidate who is perceived to be doing poorly tends to have all events viewed through this prism.
Not coincidentally, this is a bias shared by most of our sources. This is why the bulk of negative stories about McCain are not about his ideology or policy plans -- they are about intrigue and turmoil. Think back the past week of coverage on Politico and elsewhere: coverage has been dominated by Sarah Palin’s $150,000 handbags and glad rags, by finger-pointing in the McCain camp and by apparent tensions between the candidate and his running-mate.
These stories are driven by the flood of Republicans inside and out of the campaign eager to make themselves look good or others look bad. This always happens when a campaign starts to tank. Indeed, there was a spate of such stories when Obama’s campaign hit turmoil after the GOP convention and the Palin surge.
For better or worse, the most common media instincts all have countervailing pressures. Countering the bias in favor of momentum is the bias against boredom. We’ve seen that several times this cycle—an outlying poll number being pumped to suggest big changes in a race that is basically little changed. There’s a good chance you’ll see this phenomenon more in the next week.
Then there is the bend-over-backward bias. This is when journalists try so hard to avoid accusations of favoritism that it clouds critical judgment. A good example were stories suggesting Palin held her own or even won her debate against Joe Biden when it seemed obvious she was simply invoking whatever talking points she had at hand, hanging on for dear life.
Finally, one of the biases of journalists is the same one that is potent for almost all people: the one in favor of self-defensiveness. That’s why, even though we think ideological bias is pretty low on the list of journalistic maladies in this election, it is not viable for reporters to dismiss criticism out of hand.
So there you go, Ma: We’ll look into it.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Group 1 Postings
Treasury begins to deploy financial rescue plan
Oct 27, 2008 by Martin Crutsinger
Washington
The government will begin doling out $125 billion to nine major banks this week as part of its effort to contain a growing financial crisis, a top Treasury official said Monday. Assistant Treasury Secretary David Nason said the deals with the nine banks were signed Sunday night and the government will make the stock purchases this week. The deals are designed to bolster the banks' balance sheets so they will begin more normal lending.
Yahoo! News
Senate Dems aim for filibuster-proof majority
Oct 27, 2008 by Carolyn Lochhead
Washington
Democrats are closing in on a Senate royal flush.
Although still a long shot, they have raised their goal to a magic and rare 60 members, a filibuster-proof majority of enormous significance.
SFgate
Stocks fluctuate as investors weigh economy
Oct 27, 2008 by Tim Paradis
New York
Stocks fluctuated Monday as investors tried to determine how the government's efforts to prop up the banking sector and aid the economy might help stave off a protracted global recession. In late morning trading, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 31.86, or 0.38 percent, to 8,347.09.
Yahoo! News
Did New Mexico GOP Lawyer Hire P.I. To Intimidate Minority Voter?
October 24, 2008 by Zachary Roth
Minority voters in New Mexico report to TPMmuckraker that a private investigator working with Republican party lawyer Pat Rogers has appeared in person at the homes of their family members, intimidating and confusing them about their right to vote in the general election.
TPMMuckraker
FBI: Hate crime down in 2007 but anti-gay crime up
October 27, 2008 by Matt Apuzzo
Law enforcement agencies reported a slight decrease in hate crimes last year, despite an increase against gays and lesbians.
The FBI reported more than 7,600 hate crime incidents in 2007, down about 1 percent from last year.
Newsvine
Survey: Gas prices fall nearly 53 cents in 2 weeks
October 27, 2008
Camarillo, Calif.
A national survey shows gas prices continue to decline, tumbling nearly 53 cents a gallon in the last two weeks.
SFgate
Tributes pour in after Arkansas TV anchor's death
October 26, 2008 by Chuck Bartels
Little Rock, Ark
Flowers and candles piled up Sunday outside the home where a TV anchorwoman was found brutally beaten, as tributes poured into the Web site of the Little Rock station where her colleagues mourned her death.
Yahoo! News
Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother murdered; boy's body found in missing vehicle
October 24, 2008 by Joshua Rich
Police are questioning a suspect in the murder of the mother and brother of Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, the Chicago Tribune reports, and this morning they discovered the body of a boy who could be her missing nephew.
Entertainment Weekly
Emphasizing Frugal Tastes, Palin Addresses Clothing Issue
October 26, 2008 by Julie Bosman
Tampa, Fla.
An exasperated Gov. Sarah Palin veered off script on Sunday to confront, as she called it, “the whole clothes thing.”
“You know, I tried to just ignore it,” Ms. Palin said, speaking to a crowd of thousands at a rally here. “Because it’s so ridiculous.”
NY Times
Fake U.S. agents steal medicinal pot in Loomis
October 26, 2008 by Sandy Louey
Six masked men posing as federal agents are being sought in connection with a Loomis home-invasion robbery Saturday night in which they stole medicinal marijuana, officials said.
SacBee
Group 1
Tiarra Earls
David Gutierrez
Georgeann Shoptaw
Kim Reyes
Jasmine Cannady
Amanda Bonzani
Oct 27, 2008 by Martin Crutsinger
Washington
The government will begin doling out $125 billion to nine major banks this week as part of its effort to contain a growing financial crisis, a top Treasury official said Monday. Assistant Treasury Secretary David Nason said the deals with the nine banks were signed Sunday night and the government will make the stock purchases this week. The deals are designed to bolster the banks' balance sheets so they will begin more normal lending.
Yahoo! News
Senate Dems aim for filibuster-proof majority
Oct 27, 2008 by Carolyn Lochhead
Washington
Democrats are closing in on a Senate royal flush.
Although still a long shot, they have raised their goal to a magic and rare 60 members, a filibuster-proof majority of enormous significance.
SFgate
Stocks fluctuate as investors weigh economy
Oct 27, 2008 by Tim Paradis
New York
Stocks fluctuated Monday as investors tried to determine how the government's efforts to prop up the banking sector and aid the economy might help stave off a protracted global recession. In late morning trading, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 31.86, or 0.38 percent, to 8,347.09.
Yahoo! News
Did New Mexico GOP Lawyer Hire P.I. To Intimidate Minority Voter?
October 24, 2008 by Zachary Roth
Minority voters in New Mexico report to TPMmuckraker that a private investigator working with Republican party lawyer Pat Rogers has appeared in person at the homes of their family members, intimidating and confusing them about their right to vote in the general election.
TPMMuckraker
FBI: Hate crime down in 2007 but anti-gay crime up
October 27, 2008 by Matt Apuzzo
Law enforcement agencies reported a slight decrease in hate crimes last year, despite an increase against gays and lesbians.
The FBI reported more than 7,600 hate crime incidents in 2007, down about 1 percent from last year.
Newsvine
Survey: Gas prices fall nearly 53 cents in 2 weeks
October 27, 2008
Camarillo, Calif.
A national survey shows gas prices continue to decline, tumbling nearly 53 cents a gallon in the last two weeks.
SFgate
Tributes pour in after Arkansas TV anchor's death
October 26, 2008 by Chuck Bartels
Little Rock, Ark
Flowers and candles piled up Sunday outside the home where a TV anchorwoman was found brutally beaten, as tributes poured into the Web site of the Little Rock station where her colleagues mourned her death.
Yahoo! News
Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother murdered; boy's body found in missing vehicle
October 24, 2008 by Joshua Rich
Police are questioning a suspect in the murder of the mother and brother of Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, the Chicago Tribune reports, and this morning they discovered the body of a boy who could be her missing nephew.
Entertainment Weekly
Emphasizing Frugal Tastes, Palin Addresses Clothing Issue
October 26, 2008 by Julie Bosman
Tampa, Fla.
An exasperated Gov. Sarah Palin veered off script on Sunday to confront, as she called it, “the whole clothes thing.”
“You know, I tried to just ignore it,” Ms. Palin said, speaking to a crowd of thousands at a rally here. “Because it’s so ridiculous.”
NY Times
Fake U.S. agents steal medicinal pot in Loomis
October 26, 2008 by Sandy Louey
Six masked men posing as federal agents are being sought in connection with a Loomis home-invasion robbery Saturday night in which they stole medicinal marijuana, officials said.
SacBee
Group 1
Tiarra Earls
David Gutierrez
Georgeann Shoptaw
Kim Reyes
Jasmine Cannady
Amanda Bonzani
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Group 4: Amanda Black, Editor
Obama buys first video game campaign ads
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Barack Obama, flush with cash and ramping up his advertising in the final weeks before the November 4 election, is making U.S. political history by placing the first presidential campaign ads in online video games. By Mary Milliken, Yahoo News, October 17, 2008 http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20081017/tc_nm/us_usa_politics_videogames
Obama opens 8-point lead over McCain
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama has opened an 8-point lead over Republican John McCain two weeks before the U.S. presidential election, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Tuesday. By John Whitesides, Reuters, October 21, 2008 http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE49J0LF20081021?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Motorists Adapt Driving Habits To Gas Prices
Gas has dropped to $2.92 a gallon across the country. We examine how some motorists are changing their driving habits according to the rise and fall of prices. By Celeste Headlee, NPR, October 21, 2008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95935303&ft=1&f=1006
White supremacists target Middle America
The white-power movement is changing its marketing strategy to broaden its appeal. The USA's largest neo-Nazi group is ditching its trademark brown Nazi uniform with swastika armband for a more muted look in black fatigues. In Pennsylvania, the Keystone State Skinheads is changing its name to Keystone United to attract members. By Marisol Bello, USA Today, October 20, 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-20-hategroups_N.htm?csp=34
India Launches Unmanned Orbiter to Moon
NEW DELHI — India launched its first unmanned spacecraft to orbit the moon early Wednesday, part of an effort to assert its power in space and claim some of the business opportunities there. By Somini Sengupta, NY Times, October 21, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/world/asia/22indiamoon.html?hp
The Right to Know, Then to say 'No'
Terminally ill patients in California are the first in the nation to have a legal right to information from their doctors, upon request, about end-of-life options, including hospice, palliative care, refusing or withdrawing life-prolonging treatments, and making the choice to refuse food and hydration. By Jane Gross, NY Times, October 21, 2008 http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/the-right-to-know-then-to-say-no/?ref=health
Flat-panel TV prices set to dive, analysts say
NEW YORK – A combination of weak consumer spending and a peak in manufacturing capacity will push prices for flat-panel TVs down to unprecedented lows this holiday season, according to analysts. By PETER SVENSSON, Yahoo News, October 15, 2008 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/tec_techbit_hdtvs;_ylt=Ap6_CMlpuWfN_8xZhag2BDkjtBAF
Men's Reactions Peak at Age 39
This explains everything. Scientists asked 72 men, ranging in age from 23 to 80, to tap their index fingers as fast as they could for 10 seconds. The researchers also did brain scans to measure in each subject the amount of myelin - a fatty sheath of insulation that coats nerve axons and allows for signaling bursts in our brains. By Live Science Staff, Yahoo News, October 18, 2008 http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081018/sc_livescience/mensreactionspeakatage39;_ylt=AgJI5uaRsgM2VJ.eOek_jjsPLBIF
Pandemics: Google takes on real virusesGoogle has pledged to try to stop the next global pandemic by investing $15m in a series of hi-tech health schemes. Money from the internet giant will provide funding for six projects that aim to detect new diseases and understand the conditions that help them spread – potentially saving millions of lives in the process. By Bobbie Johnson, Guardian, October 21, 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/21/google-healthcare
Magnet Approved to Treat Depression
The government has approved the first noninvasive brain stimulator to treat depression-- a device that beams magnetic pulses through the skull. If it sounds like science fiction, well, those woodpecker-like pulses trigger small electrical charges that spark brain cells to fire. Yet it doesn't cause the risks of surgically implanted electrodes or the treatment of last resort, shock therapy. By Lauran Neergaard, Discovery News, October 21, 2008
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/10/21/magnet-depression.html
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Barack Obama, flush with cash and ramping up his advertising in the final weeks before the November 4 election, is making U.S. political history by placing the first presidential campaign ads in online video games. By Mary Milliken, Yahoo News, October 17, 2008 http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20081017/tc_nm/us_usa_politics_videogames
Obama opens 8-point lead over McCain
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama has opened an 8-point lead over Republican John McCain two weeks before the U.S. presidential election, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Tuesday. By John Whitesides, Reuters, October 21, 2008 http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE49J0LF20081021?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Motorists Adapt Driving Habits To Gas Prices
Gas has dropped to $2.92 a gallon across the country. We examine how some motorists are changing their driving habits according to the rise and fall of prices. By Celeste Headlee, NPR, October 21, 2008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95935303&ft=1&f=1006
White supremacists target Middle America
The white-power movement is changing its marketing strategy to broaden its appeal. The USA's largest neo-Nazi group is ditching its trademark brown Nazi uniform with swastika armband for a more muted look in black fatigues. In Pennsylvania, the Keystone State Skinheads is changing its name to Keystone United to attract members. By Marisol Bello, USA Today, October 20, 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-20-hategroups_N.htm?csp=34
India Launches Unmanned Orbiter to Moon
NEW DELHI — India launched its first unmanned spacecraft to orbit the moon early Wednesday, part of an effort to assert its power in space and claim some of the business opportunities there. By Somini Sengupta, NY Times, October 21, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/world/asia/22indiamoon.html?hp
The Right to Know, Then to say 'No'
Terminally ill patients in California are the first in the nation to have a legal right to information from their doctors, upon request, about end-of-life options, including hospice, palliative care, refusing or withdrawing life-prolonging treatments, and making the choice to refuse food and hydration. By Jane Gross, NY Times, October 21, 2008 http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/the-right-to-know-then-to-say-no/?ref=health
Flat-panel TV prices set to dive, analysts say
NEW YORK – A combination of weak consumer spending and a peak in manufacturing capacity will push prices for flat-panel TVs down to unprecedented lows this holiday season, according to analysts. By PETER SVENSSON, Yahoo News, October 15, 2008 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/tec_techbit_hdtvs;_ylt=Ap6_CMlpuWfN_8xZhag2BDkjtBAF
Men's Reactions Peak at Age 39
This explains everything. Scientists asked 72 men, ranging in age from 23 to 80, to tap their index fingers as fast as they could for 10 seconds. The researchers also did brain scans to measure in each subject the amount of myelin - a fatty sheath of insulation that coats nerve axons and allows for signaling bursts in our brains. By Live Science Staff, Yahoo News, October 18, 2008 http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081018/sc_livescience/mensreactionspeakatage39;_ylt=AgJI5uaRsgM2VJ.eOek_jjsPLBIF
Pandemics: Google takes on real virusesGoogle has pledged to try to stop the next global pandemic by investing $15m in a series of hi-tech health schemes. Money from the internet giant will provide funding for six projects that aim to detect new diseases and understand the conditions that help them spread – potentially saving millions of lives in the process. By Bobbie Johnson, Guardian, October 21, 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/21/google-healthcare
Magnet Approved to Treat Depression
The government has approved the first noninvasive brain stimulator to treat depression-- a device that beams magnetic pulses through the skull. If it sounds like science fiction, well, those woodpecker-like pulses trigger small electrical charges that spark brain cells to fire. Yet it doesn't cause the risks of surgically implanted electrodes or the treatment of last resort, shock therapy. By Lauran Neergaard, Discovery News, October 21, 2008
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/10/21/magnet-depression.html
Group 3
World leaders to meet on economy in Washington
WASHINGTON – World leaders will meet Nov. 15 in Washington to address the global financial crisis — the first in a series of summits to mitigate what economists predict could be a long and deep downturn.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_go_pr_wh/meltdown_bush;_ylt=ArXWy51yyveoLvaH4K7Kotxv24cA
Analysts: Powell endorsement more a rejection of GOP, McCain
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama was as much a rejection of the Republican Party and Sen. John McCain's campaign as an embrace of the Democratic presidential nominee, political analysts said Monday.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/20/powell.endorsement/index.html
Obama opens double-digit lead over McCain: poll
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened up a 10-point lead over Republican opponent John McCain two weeks before the November 4 U.S. election, according to Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Tuesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081021/ts_nm/us_usa_politics_poll_nbc;_ylt=Amxy5j2HRl7FZF4r25EswisZ.3QA
Bush says economic 'panic' easing
President Bush on a "more relaxed" attitude
The US president has suggested that Americans are starting to feel more positive about their economic future.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7681259.stm
Dow drops 250 in early trading on earnings woes
NEW YORK – Wall Street tumbled again Wednesday as investors shifted their focus from improving credit markets to worrisome corporate profit forecasts that are raising fears of a deep economic slowdown. The major indexes fell more than 1 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which lost 250 points.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_bi_st_ma_re/wall_street
THE ECONOMY IN TURMOIL
The Great Depression - how close are we?Similar forces driving today's crisis, but Main Street fallout is less dire, and the past's lessons - and its safety nets – help
Americans binge on credit in a mania of speculation and consumption until the debt-fueled bubble bursts. Wall Street has a meltdown, the mania turns to hysteria, and the economy goes haywire.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/20/MNPV13H2HM.DTL
Wachovia reports $23.9B loss for 3Q
NEW YORK – Wachovia Corp. on Wednesday reported a staggering $24 billion loss as it took a goodwill impairment charge of nearly $19 billion ahead of its acquisition by Wells Fargo & Co.
Http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_bi_ge/earns_wachovia;_ylt=AogUk8d5aOlf4AjBtJAfJdlv24cA
Alaska panel finds Palin abused power in firing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday
http://sacbee.com/830/story/1302596.html
Powder-laced letters sent to banks in 9 cities
WASHINGTON – More than 30 letters containing a suspicious powder were mailed to Chase bank branches and federal banking regulators' offices in nine cities, authorities said Tuesday in what was being investigated as a first, if extreme, public backlash over the nation's financial crisis.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bank_threats_fbi
Next president will shape Supreme Court
Monday, October 20, 2008
One of the most momentous and least-discussed topics in the presidential campaign is the likely departure in the next four years of as many as three of the more liberal justices on a closely divided U.S. Supreme Court.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/19/MNES13IOES.DTL&tsp=1
Palin breaks with McCain on gay marriage amendment
Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin says she supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, a break with John McCain who has said he believes states should be left to define what marriage is.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/10/20/politics/p134009D09.DTL
McCain reminds Biden he's been tested in crisis
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Republican John McCain told voters in this key electoral state Tuesday he was personally tested by the same kind of crisis that Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph Biden warned Barack Obama will almost certainly face if elected president.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_el_pr/mccain
Palin tells kids the vice president 'runs' Senate
WASHINGTON – Asked by a third-grader what a vice president does, Republican candidate Sarah Palin responded that the vice president is the president's "team mate" but also "runs the Senate" and "can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_el_pr/palin_vice_president_s_job;_ylt=AoOIwzXz.cJZqA8iAbX5LwRv24cA
Mother's Cookies abruptly shut down
Mother's Cookies, an Oakland institution for 92 years, has been shuttered, its owner seeking bankruptcy protection for the company.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/09/BU6413DQQO.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Mervyns going out of business
Sacramento's reeling retail sector took another punch in the gut Friday when Mervyns Holdings LLC announced it is going out of business.
http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/1323967.html
Neb. lawmakers agree on safe-haven age limit
LINCOLN, Neb. – Stung by the abandonment of children as old as 17 at Nebraska hospitals, the governor and lawmakers struck a deal Monday to rewrite the state's safe haven law so it applies only to infants up to three days old.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_re_us/safe_haven;_ylt=Amz1_WHCA7HjHA7bK8SBYt1vzwcF
Magnet device aims to treat depression patients
WASHINGTON – The government has approved the first noninvasive brain stimulator to treat depression — a device that beams magnetic pulses through the skull. If it sounds like science-fiction, well, those woodpecker-like pulses trigger small electrical charges that spark brain cells to fire. Yet it doesn't cause the risks of surgically implanted electrodes or the treatment of last resort, shock therapy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap_on_he_me/med_healthbeat_depression_magnet;_ylt=AmVgL_VYTtcstE91G7iv56vVJRIF
AP INVESTIGATION: Alaska funded Palin kids' travel
Alaska – Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap_on_re_us/palin_family_travel
Voters split in many ways on gay marriage ban
Nearly 100 people gathered in a deserted parking lot under a gray Central Valley sky, ready to knock on doors and tell perfect strangers why they should vote to ban same-sex marriage in California.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/22/MNDF13L3P1.DTL&type=politics
Ex-Officer Is Arrested in Inquiry Into Brutality
CHICAGO — The authorities arrested a former Chicago police commander at his Florida home on Tuesday and charged him in a police brutality scandal that contributed to the emptying of Illinois’ death row and that continues to resonate as one of the most racially charged chapters in the city’s history.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/us/22chicago.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1224647999-ozGtT1VaRV429twd9bhsow)
Former UCLA exec pleads guilty to body trafficking
LOS ANGELES – The former chief of UCLA's cadaver program pleaded guilty Friday for his role in selling donated body parts to medical, drug and research companies in a scheme that netted up to $1 million, prosecutors said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_re_us/body_parts_trafficking;_ylt=Ai_wD_GZntceaU.nJfCIQblvzwcF
Mom pleads not guilty in Fla. missing toddler case
ORLANDO, Fla. – The mother of a missing 3-year-old Florida girl has pleaded not guilty to charges that she killed her daughter, whose body hasn't been found despite four months of searching.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_re_us/missing_florida_girl;_ylt=Aqd11lUyWjOnv9fh2U1UgAVvzwcF
Abducted Las Vegas boy found safe by bus driver
LAS VEGAS – A 6-year-old boy abducted from his home at gunpoint is safely back in his father's care. Now, police want to know what the boy's grandfather may know about the case.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_re_us/nevada_boy_abducted;_ylt=ArIFqflajSf56_vloQikxTqs0NUE
Drunk United pilot arrested at Heathrow
44-year-old first officer failed breath test, removed from service
LONDON - United Airlines says one of its pilots has been arrested by police for being over the legal alcohol limit.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27321768/
Huge Field of Dinosaur Tracks Found
More than 1,000 dinosaur footprints along with tail-drag marks have been discovered along the Arizona-Utah border. The incredibly rare concentration of beastly tracks likely belonged to at least four different species of dinosaurs, ranging from youngsters to adults. http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081020/sc_livescience/hugefieldofdinosaurtracksfound;_ylt=AhjtOtZucYsNGKoJmDrXmTYPLBIF
U.S. pilot was ordered to shoot down UFO
LONDON (Reuters) – Two U.S. fighter planes were scrambled and ordered to shoot down an unidentified flying object (UFO) over the English countryside during the Cold War, according to secret files made public on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081020/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_ufo
Probationary police officer arrested in fatal crash
A 27-year-old Stockton Police Department probationary officer has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony drunken driving
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081021/A_NEWS02/81021006
ARC student leaders targeted for recall over Prop. 8 support
This week, American River College students will be asked to recall nine student leaders who endorsed a state ballot measure making same-sex marriage illegal, sending the suburban Sacramento campus
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1327118.html
2 UC Berkeley students arrested in robbery
BERKELEY, Calif. -- Two University of California, Berkeley, students, including a football player, have been identified as suspects in an armed robbery at a dorm.
http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/1332506.html
'Band-Aid Bandit' robs for 14th time
TRACY - The "Band-Aid Bandit" struck again Monday, robbing a Subway sandwich shop in the same complex as a Walgreens Drug Store he robbed Oct. 10. It was his 14th robbery since June, the Tracy Police Department said in a report.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081021/A_NEWS02/81020014
Update: Sex offender's arrival alarms Roseville police
Roseville police are taking unprecedented steps to notify residents about the presence of convicted murderer and sex offender Michael Charles Etchison, who moved into the city last week.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/016301/.html
San Francisco weighs decriminalizing prostitution
By EVELYN NIEVES
SAN FRANCISCO – In this live-and-let-live town, where medical marijuana clubs do business next to grocery stores and an annual fair celebrates sadomasochism, prostitutes could soon walk the streets without fear of arrest.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap_on_re_us/san_francisco_prostitution
Obama Takes Time for a Woman Dear to Him
In his speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president, Senator Barack Obama spoke of how his grandmother started as a secretary without a college degree and worked her way up to be a vice president of a bank.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/us/politics/22grandmother.html
49ers introduce Singletary ... and Jed York
The 49ers introduced their new head coach today and in so doing introduced their new owner.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/016311.html
Vick to plead guilty in state dogfighting case
Michael Vick plans to plead guilty to state dog fighting charges, a step that could allow him to qualify for an early release from federal prison and into a halfway house, court papers show.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8703624?MSNHPHMA
Police: Arkansas TV anchorwoman attacked in home
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An intruder beat and stabbed a popular TV anchorwoman in her home during a possible robbery, and left her with life-threatening injuries, police said Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_re_us/tv_anchor_attacked;_ylt=Al8x9m6Z76xvxS_Oy8bZO_tvzwcF
Former Mr. Gay U.K. Eats Boyfriend
BY PHILIP VICTOR, ABC News London
In a world of bizarre stories, here’s one chilling case of a gruesome murder and an act of cannibalism.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/worldview/2008/10/former-mr-gay-u.html
Tina Fey glues ears down to look like Sarah Palin
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Tina Fey says she glues her ears down for her popular television impressions of Sarah Palin, but it took her a while to accept that she was almost a perfect double for the Republican vice presidential candidate.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081021/en_nm/us_usa_politics_fey
Hulk Hogan's son out of Fla. jail after crash term
The 18-year-old son of celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan has been released from jail in Florida after serving five months for causing a serious traffic crash.
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx/?news=335553>1=28103
Men sue Lindsay Lohan over wild ride
A wild ride that led to Lindsay Lohan's arrest has sparked another lawsuit. Court records show that three men who claim they were in a sport utility vehicle that Lohan commandeered in July 2007 sued the "Mean Girls" star last week.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/10/21/entertainment/e163538D15.DTL&tsp=1
Snake spoils woman's fashion contest fun Top of Form
Mon Oct 20, 9:52 am ET
CANBERRA (Reuters) – A woman voted best-dressed at an Australian fashion contest was unable to collect her prize after she was bitten by a deadly snake, local media said on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081020/od_nm/us_snake;_ylt=AoibC6IJbWh_UaP85wYkLf7tiBIF
WASHINGTON – World leaders will meet Nov. 15 in Washington to address the global financial crisis — the first in a series of summits to mitigate what economists predict could be a long and deep downturn.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_go_pr_wh/meltdown_bush;_ylt=ArXWy51yyveoLvaH4K7Kotxv24cA
Analysts: Powell endorsement more a rejection of GOP, McCain
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama was as much a rejection of the Republican Party and Sen. John McCain's campaign as an embrace of the Democratic presidential nominee, political analysts said Monday.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/20/powell.endorsement/index.html
Obama opens double-digit lead over McCain: poll
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened up a 10-point lead over Republican opponent John McCain two weeks before the November 4 U.S. election, according to Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Tuesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081021/ts_nm/us_usa_politics_poll_nbc;_ylt=Amxy5j2HRl7FZF4r25EswisZ.3QA
Bush says economic 'panic' easing
President Bush on a "more relaxed" attitude
The US president has suggested that Americans are starting to feel more positive about their economic future.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7681259.stm
Dow drops 250 in early trading on earnings woes
NEW YORK – Wall Street tumbled again Wednesday as investors shifted their focus from improving credit markets to worrisome corporate profit forecasts that are raising fears of a deep economic slowdown. The major indexes fell more than 1 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which lost 250 points.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_bi_st_ma_re/wall_street
THE ECONOMY IN TURMOIL
The Great Depression - how close are we?Similar forces driving today's crisis, but Main Street fallout is less dire, and the past's lessons - and its safety nets – help
Americans binge on credit in a mania of speculation and consumption until the debt-fueled bubble bursts. Wall Street has a meltdown, the mania turns to hysteria, and the economy goes haywire.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/20/MNPV13H2HM.DTL
Wachovia reports $23.9B loss for 3Q
NEW YORK – Wachovia Corp. on Wednesday reported a staggering $24 billion loss as it took a goodwill impairment charge of nearly $19 billion ahead of its acquisition by Wells Fargo & Co.
Http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_bi_ge/earns_wachovia;_ylt=AogUk8d5aOlf4AjBtJAfJdlv24cA
Alaska panel finds Palin abused power in firing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday
http://sacbee.com/830/story/1302596.html
Powder-laced letters sent to banks in 9 cities
WASHINGTON – More than 30 letters containing a suspicious powder were mailed to Chase bank branches and federal banking regulators' offices in nine cities, authorities said Tuesday in what was being investigated as a first, if extreme, public backlash over the nation's financial crisis.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bank_threats_fbi
Next president will shape Supreme Court
Monday, October 20, 2008
One of the most momentous and least-discussed topics in the presidential campaign is the likely departure in the next four years of as many as three of the more liberal justices on a closely divided U.S. Supreme Court.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/19/MNES13IOES.DTL&tsp=1
Palin breaks with McCain on gay marriage amendment
Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin says she supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, a break with John McCain who has said he believes states should be left to define what marriage is.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/10/20/politics/p134009D09.DTL
McCain reminds Biden he's been tested in crisis
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Republican John McCain told voters in this key electoral state Tuesday he was personally tested by the same kind of crisis that Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph Biden warned Barack Obama will almost certainly face if elected president.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_el_pr/mccain
Palin tells kids the vice president 'runs' Senate
WASHINGTON – Asked by a third-grader what a vice president does, Republican candidate Sarah Palin responded that the vice president is the president's "team mate" but also "runs the Senate" and "can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_el_pr/palin_vice_president_s_job;_ylt=AoOIwzXz.cJZqA8iAbX5LwRv24cA
Mother's Cookies abruptly shut down
Mother's Cookies, an Oakland institution for 92 years, has been shuttered, its owner seeking bankruptcy protection for the company.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/09/BU6413DQQO.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Mervyns going out of business
Sacramento's reeling retail sector took another punch in the gut Friday when Mervyns Holdings LLC announced it is going out of business.
http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/1323967.html
Neb. lawmakers agree on safe-haven age limit
LINCOLN, Neb. – Stung by the abandonment of children as old as 17 at Nebraska hospitals, the governor and lawmakers struck a deal Monday to rewrite the state's safe haven law so it applies only to infants up to three days old.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_re_us/safe_haven;_ylt=Amz1_WHCA7HjHA7bK8SBYt1vzwcF
Magnet device aims to treat depression patients
WASHINGTON – The government has approved the first noninvasive brain stimulator to treat depression — a device that beams magnetic pulses through the skull. If it sounds like science-fiction, well, those woodpecker-like pulses trigger small electrical charges that spark brain cells to fire. Yet it doesn't cause the risks of surgically implanted electrodes or the treatment of last resort, shock therapy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap_on_he_me/med_healthbeat_depression_magnet;_ylt=AmVgL_VYTtcstE91G7iv56vVJRIF
AP INVESTIGATION: Alaska funded Palin kids' travel
Alaska – Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap_on_re_us/palin_family_travel
Voters split in many ways on gay marriage ban
Nearly 100 people gathered in a deserted parking lot under a gray Central Valley sky, ready to knock on doors and tell perfect strangers why they should vote to ban same-sex marriage in California.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/22/MNDF13L3P1.DTL&type=politics
Ex-Officer Is Arrested in Inquiry Into Brutality
CHICAGO — The authorities arrested a former Chicago police commander at his Florida home on Tuesday and charged him in a police brutality scandal that contributed to the emptying of Illinois’ death row and that continues to resonate as one of the most racially charged chapters in the city’s history.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/us/22chicago.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1224647999-ozGtT1VaRV429twd9bhsow)
Former UCLA exec pleads guilty to body trafficking
LOS ANGELES – The former chief of UCLA's cadaver program pleaded guilty Friday for his role in selling donated body parts to medical, drug and research companies in a scheme that netted up to $1 million, prosecutors said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_re_us/body_parts_trafficking;_ylt=Ai_wD_GZntceaU.nJfCIQblvzwcF
Mom pleads not guilty in Fla. missing toddler case
ORLANDO, Fla. – The mother of a missing 3-year-old Florida girl has pleaded not guilty to charges that she killed her daughter, whose body hasn't been found despite four months of searching.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_re_us/missing_florida_girl;_ylt=Aqd11lUyWjOnv9fh2U1UgAVvzwcF
Abducted Las Vegas boy found safe by bus driver
LAS VEGAS – A 6-year-old boy abducted from his home at gunpoint is safely back in his father's care. Now, police want to know what the boy's grandfather may know about the case.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_re_us/nevada_boy_abducted;_ylt=ArIFqflajSf56_vloQikxTqs0NUE
Drunk United pilot arrested at Heathrow
44-year-old first officer failed breath test, removed from service
LONDON - United Airlines says one of its pilots has been arrested by police for being over the legal alcohol limit.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27321768/
Huge Field of Dinosaur Tracks Found
More than 1,000 dinosaur footprints along with tail-drag marks have been discovered along the Arizona-Utah border. The incredibly rare concentration of beastly tracks likely belonged to at least four different species of dinosaurs, ranging from youngsters to adults. http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081020/sc_livescience/hugefieldofdinosaurtracksfound;_ylt=AhjtOtZucYsNGKoJmDrXmTYPLBIF
U.S. pilot was ordered to shoot down UFO
LONDON (Reuters) – Two U.S. fighter planes were scrambled and ordered to shoot down an unidentified flying object (UFO) over the English countryside during the Cold War, according to secret files made public on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081020/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_ufo
Probationary police officer arrested in fatal crash
A 27-year-old Stockton Police Department probationary officer has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony drunken driving
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081021/A_NEWS02/81021006
ARC student leaders targeted for recall over Prop. 8 support
This week, American River College students will be asked to recall nine student leaders who endorsed a state ballot measure making same-sex marriage illegal, sending the suburban Sacramento campus
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1327118.html
2 UC Berkeley students arrested in robbery
BERKELEY, Calif. -- Two University of California, Berkeley, students, including a football player, have been identified as suspects in an armed robbery at a dorm.
http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/1332506.html
'Band-Aid Bandit' robs for 14th time
TRACY - The "Band-Aid Bandit" struck again Monday, robbing a Subway sandwich shop in the same complex as a Walgreens Drug Store he robbed Oct. 10. It was his 14th robbery since June, the Tracy Police Department said in a report.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081021/A_NEWS02/81020014
Update: Sex offender's arrival alarms Roseville police
Roseville police are taking unprecedented steps to notify residents about the presence of convicted murderer and sex offender Michael Charles Etchison, who moved into the city last week.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/016301/.html
San Francisco weighs decriminalizing prostitution
By EVELYN NIEVES
SAN FRANCISCO – In this live-and-let-live town, where medical marijuana clubs do business next to grocery stores and an annual fair celebrates sadomasochism, prostitutes could soon walk the streets without fear of arrest.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap_on_re_us/san_francisco_prostitution
Obama Takes Time for a Woman Dear to Him
In his speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president, Senator Barack Obama spoke of how his grandmother started as a secretary without a college degree and worked her way up to be a vice president of a bank.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/us/politics/22grandmother.html
49ers introduce Singletary ... and Jed York
The 49ers introduced their new head coach today and in so doing introduced their new owner.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/016311.html
Vick to plead guilty in state dogfighting case
Michael Vick plans to plead guilty to state dog fighting charges, a step that could allow him to qualify for an early release from federal prison and into a halfway house, court papers show.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8703624?MSNHPHMA
Police: Arkansas TV anchorwoman attacked in home
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An intruder beat and stabbed a popular TV anchorwoman in her home during a possible robbery, and left her with life-threatening injuries, police said Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_re_us/tv_anchor_attacked;_ylt=Al8x9m6Z76xvxS_Oy8bZO_tvzwcF
Former Mr. Gay U.K. Eats Boyfriend
BY PHILIP VICTOR, ABC News London
In a world of bizarre stories, here’s one chilling case of a gruesome murder and an act of cannibalism.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/worldview/2008/10/former-mr-gay-u.html
Tina Fey glues ears down to look like Sarah Palin
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Tina Fey says she glues her ears down for her popular television impressions of Sarah Palin, but it took her a while to accept that she was almost a perfect double for the Republican vice presidential candidate.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081021/en_nm/us_usa_politics_fey
Hulk Hogan's son out of Fla. jail after crash term
The 18-year-old son of celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan has been released from jail in Florida after serving five months for causing a serious traffic crash.
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx/?news=335553>1=28103
Men sue Lindsay Lohan over wild ride
A wild ride that led to Lindsay Lohan's arrest has sparked another lawsuit. Court records show that three men who claim they were in a sport utility vehicle that Lohan commandeered in July 2007 sued the "Mean Girls" star last week.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/10/21/entertainment/e163538D15.DTL&tsp=1
Snake spoils woman's fashion contest fun Top of Form
Mon Oct 20, 9:52 am ET
CANBERRA (Reuters) – A woman voted best-dressed at an Australian fashion contest was unable to collect her prize after she was bitten by a deadly snake, local media said on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081020/od_nm/us_snake;_ylt=AoibC6IJbWh_UaP85wYkLf7tiBIF
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Group 4
McCain and Obama in tense final debate
Barack Obama and John McCain have clashed over their economic plans and other issues in a fractious final TV debate before the US presidential poll.
BBC
Credit card crunch
As Sacramento State students finally start to settle into their familiar habits at school, they may ignore the habit that impacts them most after graduation. It's not the party habits or the work ethic they form; it's the habits of spending and saving.
State Hornet-
Some bottled water toxicity shown to exceed law
Bottled water brands do not always maintain the consistency of quality touted in ads featuring alpine peaks and crystalline lakes and, in some cases, contain toxic byproducts that exceed state safety standards, tests show
SF Gate
Casino-bound bus driver wasn't DUI, DA says
Toxicology tests found that he was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
The driver of a casino-bound bus that crashed last week killing nine people was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to toxicology reports.
SAC BEE
NKorea Allows UN Monitors to Main Nuclear Site
North Korea allows UN monitors to main nuclear site, 2 months after halt
North Korea allowed United Nations monitors back into their main nuclear site Tuesday, but it was unclear whether they had fulfilled a pledge to resume disabling the facilities in line with a six-nation deal.
ABC
Will China bail out the West?
With nearly $2 trillion (£1.2 trillion) worth of foreign currency reserves, China is being touted by some as the potential saviour of the Western banking system. In order to bail out ailing financial firms, Western governments need money - and China seems a good place to get that much-needed cash.
BBC
Nancy Reagan breaks pelvis in fall at home
LOS ANGELES - Nancy Reagan suffered a broken pelvis in a fall at her home and will be hospitalized for several days, her spokeswoman said yesterday.
NEWSDAY
Last Titanic survivor sells off her mementos
The last living survivor of the Titanic is selling off her disaster-related mementos in order to pay the bill at a British nursing home, according to a report in the Southern Daily Echo.
USA Today
Woman changes name to a URL to protest dissections
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - You can call her CutoutDissection.com, Cutout for short, but just don't call her Jennifer. The former Jennifer Thornburg — whose driver's license now reads Dissection.com, Cutout — wanted to do something to protest animal dissections in schools.
Yahoo
Cambodian couple saw house in half in divorce
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - A couple in rural Cambodia has terminated their 18-year marriage with a divorce settlement that entailed sawing in two the wooden house they once shared, villagers said Friday. The husband, 42-year-old Moeun Sarim, has taken away with him all the bits and pieces of his half a house, said his 35-year-old wife, Vat Navy
Yahoo
Editor:
Megan Sanders
Group Members:
Eyragon Eidam
Manny Miramontes
Pat Patitucci
Julianne Gabert
Barack Obama and John McCain have clashed over their economic plans and other issues in a fractious final TV debate before the US presidential poll.
BBC
Credit card crunch
As Sacramento State students finally start to settle into their familiar habits at school, they may ignore the habit that impacts them most after graduation. It's not the party habits or the work ethic they form; it's the habits of spending and saving.
State Hornet-
Some bottled water toxicity shown to exceed law
Bottled water brands do not always maintain the consistency of quality touted in ads featuring alpine peaks and crystalline lakes and, in some cases, contain toxic byproducts that exceed state safety standards, tests show
SF Gate
Casino-bound bus driver wasn't DUI, DA says
Toxicology tests found that he was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
The driver of a casino-bound bus that crashed last week killing nine people was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to toxicology reports.
SAC BEE
NKorea Allows UN Monitors to Main Nuclear Site
North Korea allows UN monitors to main nuclear site, 2 months after halt
North Korea allowed United Nations monitors back into their main nuclear site Tuesday, but it was unclear whether they had fulfilled a pledge to resume disabling the facilities in line with a six-nation deal.
ABC
Will China bail out the West?
With nearly $2 trillion (£1.2 trillion) worth of foreign currency reserves, China is being touted by some as the potential saviour of the Western banking system. In order to bail out ailing financial firms, Western governments need money - and China seems a good place to get that much-needed cash.
BBC
Nancy Reagan breaks pelvis in fall at home
LOS ANGELES - Nancy Reagan suffered a broken pelvis in a fall at her home and will be hospitalized for several days, her spokeswoman said yesterday.
NEWSDAY
Last Titanic survivor sells off her mementos
The last living survivor of the Titanic is selling off her disaster-related mementos in order to pay the bill at a British nursing home, according to a report in the Southern Daily Echo.
USA Today
Woman changes name to a URL to protest dissections
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - You can call her CutoutDissection.com, Cutout for short, but just don't call her Jennifer. The former Jennifer Thornburg — whose driver's license now reads Dissection.com, Cutout — wanted to do something to protest animal dissections in schools.
Yahoo
Cambodian couple saw house in half in divorce
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - A couple in rural Cambodia has terminated their 18-year marriage with a divorce settlement that entailed sawing in two the wooden house they once shared, villagers said Friday. The husband, 42-year-old Moeun Sarim, has taken away with him all the bits and pieces of his half a house, said his 35-year-old wife, Vat Navy
Yahoo
Editor:
Megan Sanders
Group Members:
Eyragon Eidam
Manny Miramontes
Pat Patitucci
Julianne Gabert
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Group 2- Leslie G.
Angel Island on Fire
The brush fire atop Angel Island is 20 percent contained, officials said this morning as they prepared to bring in helicopters to battle the fast-moving flames.
SF GATE
Economic woes could curtail action on warming
WASHINGTON - The economic free fall gripping the nation may bring down one of the main environmental objectives: capping the greenhouse gases that are blamed for global warming.
MSNBC
Dow jumps almost 600 as US pledges bank aid
NEW YORK - The Dow Jones industrial average rebounded almost 600 points today as Wall Street snapped back from last week's devastating losses after major governments announced further steps to support the global banking system, including plans by the U.S. Treasury to buy stocks of some banks. All the major indexes rose well over 7 percent.
Yahoo News
As economy drops, violence and fear soar
An out-of-work money manager loses a fortune and wipes out his family in a murder-suicide
CNN
Bush signs controversial anti-piracy law
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush signed into law on Monday a controversial bill that would stiffen penalties for movie and music piracy at the federal level.
REUTERS
Citizens, police run down alleged purse snatcher
The Rocklin Police Department and citizens combined efforts to catch an alleged purse snatcher. Terrance Doutherd, 20, was arrested for attempt at robbery with witnesses' identifitcation. Doutherd was booked into Placer Country Jail.
SAC BEE
The Supreme Court
rejected an appeal by a man that was convicted of raping a killing two college students in Ohio. The appeal was on the basis that he was too obese to be executed.
SF GATE
Cowboys' Romo has broken finger, may miss 4 weeks
IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has a broken finger on his throwing hand and could be out for up to four weeks.
YAHOO NEWS
NHL prospect dies in game
New York Rangers draft pick Alexei Cherepanov dies unexpectedly in Russia at the age of 19.
YAHOO NEWS
Group 2
Leslie G
Leidhra J
Abbie E
Rebecca S
Kristin G
Garrett M
The brush fire atop Angel Island is 20 percent contained, officials said this morning as they prepared to bring in helicopters to battle the fast-moving flames.
Economic woes could curtail action on warming
WASHINGTON - The economic free fall gripping the nation may bring down one of the main environmental objectives: capping the greenhouse gases that are blamed for global warming.
Dow jumps almost 600 as US pledges bank aid
NEW YORK - The Dow Jones industrial average rebounded almost 600 points today as Wall Street snapped back from last week's devastating losses after major governments announced further steps to support the global banking system, including plans by the U.S. Treasury to buy stocks of some banks. All the major indexes rose well over 7 percent.
Yahoo News
As economy drops, violence and fear soar
An out-of-work money manager loses a fortune and wipes out his family in a murder-suicide
CNN
Bush signs controversial anti-piracy law
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush signed into law on Monday a controversial bill that would stiffen penalties for movie and music piracy at the federal level.
REUTERS
Citizens, police run down alleged purse snatcher
The Rocklin Police Department and citizens combined efforts to catch an alleged purse snatcher. Terrance Doutherd, 20, was arrested for attempt at robbery with witnesses' identifitcation. Doutherd was booked into Placer Country Jail.
SAC BEE
The Supreme Court
rejected an appeal by a man that was convicted of raping a killing two college students in Ohio. The appeal was on the basis that he was too obese to be executed.
SF GATE
Cowboys' Romo has broken finger, may miss 4 weeks
IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has a broken finger on his throwing hand and could be out for up to four weeks.
YAHOO NEWS
NHL prospect dies in game
New York Rangers draft pick Alexei Cherepanov dies unexpectedly in Russia at the age of 19.
Group 2
Leslie G
Leidhra J
Abbie E
Rebecca S
Kristin G
Garrett M
Monday, October 13, 2008
Group 1- Amanda Bonzani (Ed.)
World stocks rally strongly
October 13, 2008
LONDON - European markets rallied strongly Monday following Asia's lead in response to the widespread government efforts over the weekend to shore up the world's battered financial system. Yahoo News
Carpenters picket near bus stop
October 8, 2008
About nine carpenters picketed with signs and chanted into microphones at the site of the new residence halls near the bus stop today.
The State Hornet
NY election mix-up: 'Osama' on the ballot
Fri Oct 10, 8:21 PM ETTROY, N.Y. - Who is running for president? In an upstate New York county, hundreds of voters have been sent absentee ballots in which they could vote for "Barack Osama."
Yahoo News
UK university holds artificial intelligence test
October 12, 2008
READING, England - Computers argued, cracked jokes and parried trick questions Sunday, all part of an annual test of artificial intelligence carried out at the University of Reading.
Yahoo News
Under ‘No Child’ Law, Even Solid Schools Falter
October 12, 2008SACRAMENTO — Prairie Elementary School had not missed a testing target since the federal No Child Left Behind law took effect in 2002. Until now.
New York Times
Shelters and Soup Kitchens Hold Crisis Front Lines
October 9, 2008
New York - Wall Street may be in the throes of agony, but business is booming at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen a bit farther north in the Manhattan neighbourhood of Chelsea.Truth Out
Race Starts With Little Fuel, and Goes Uphill From There
October 12, 2008BERKELEY, Calif. — It is a classic road rally, 600 miles from the liberal embrace of Berkeley to the anything-goes lights of Las Vegas. No speeding is allowed, or in some cases even possible. And if you stop to refuel, it had better be in someone’s trash.
Karissa and Kristina Shannon: Can They Be the Next Holly, Bridget and Kendra?
October 9, 2008Hugh Hefner has always given unique meaning to the phrase "out with the old, in with the new."
E!Online
Connecticut Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage
October 11, 2008
HARTFORD, Connecticut (CNN) -- The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay and lesbian couples have the right to get married.
CNN
Speaker at McCain rally says non-Christians want an Obama win
October 11, 2008
DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNN) – A minister delivering the invocation at John McCain’s rally in Davenport, Iowa Saturday told the crowd non-Christian religions around the world were praying for Barack Obama to win the U.S. presidential election.
Would you risk life and limb to save your pet?
October 10, 2008
Last week, a man from the Florida Keys miraculously rescued his dog from the jaws of a shark. It was just another daily swim at the marina for carpenter Greg LeNoir's 14-pound rat terrier, Jake, when a five-foot shark suddenly surfaced and grabbed the dog's entire body in its mouth. LeNoir said he yelled, then balled up his fists and jumped headfirst into the water off a pier. He hit the shark in the back several times until it finally released its grip on Jake. SFGate
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Group 4
BofA OKs foreclosure relief for Californians
More than 120,000 struggling California homeowners could see their monthly mortgage payments lowered after Bank of America Corp. agreed to provide $3.5 billion in loan and foreclosure relief to settle lawsuits it inherited with its takeover of Countrywide Financial Corp.
San Francisco Chronicle
Man Kills His Family and Himself Over Market
In a suicide note, Karthik Rajaram wrote that he had considered killing only himself because of his financial troubles, but decided to take his family with him.
New York Times
Will the Environment Lose Out to the Economy?
Environmentalists are often accused — not always unfairly — of overplaying the fear card. With apocalyptic references to melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels and widespread species extinction, the driving message of environmentalism is that the future is doomed, unless we act now to save it.
TIME
Rampant violence is Latin America's 'worst epidemic'
Violent crime in Latin America kills more people and wreaks more economic havoc than Aids, the head of the Organisation of American States warned this week. Drug trafficking, gang warfare, kidnapping and other crimes pose one of the gravest threats to the region's stability, said José Miguel Insulza. "It is an epidemic, a plague on our continent that kills more people than Aids or any other known epidemic. It destroys more homes than any economic crisis."
The Guardian
Police raid Nigeria 'baby farm'
Police have raided a private hospital in Nigeria where they suspect new-born babies were being sold to traffickers.
British Broadcasting Company
September Retail Sales Reflect the Slowdown
If the last few weeks of retail sales are any indication, it is shaping up to be, in the words of one analyst, a Christmas of movie tickets and board games.
New York Times
Nano 'Basketballs' to Battle Drug-Resistant Cancer
Drug-resistant bacteria, caused by the over-prescription of powerful antibiotics, is bad enough. Now scientists are identifying the genes responsible for drug-resistant cancers, and finding new ways to stop them.
Discovery News
Spermicide Coke, stale chips research wins Ig Nobels
A researcher who figured out that Coke explodes sperm and scientists who discovered that people will happily eat stale chips if they crunch loudly enough won alternative "Ig Nobel" prizes Thursday.
Yahoo! News
Powerful Hurricane Norbert roars toward Baja in Mexico
Hurricane Norbert strengthened Wednesday to a powerful Category 3 storm in the Pacific Ocean and was forecast to hit Mexico's Baja California peninsula by the weekend.
USA Today
Colleges Getting Hit by the Credit Crunch
American universities have long been the envy of the world, with seemingly bottomless purses to bankroll cutting-edge research, top-notch faculty and construction projects galore. And fiscally speaking, these schools have it better than most businesses in the U.S.: multiple sources of revenue, including parents willing to pay tuition through the nose amid all kinds of money trouble, have often kept these institutions insulated from economic downturns. But in a financial crisis of this magnitutde, even the ivory towers are getting hit — and in more ways than one. Not only have Bank of America, Citigroup and some two dozen other lenders cut back on or stopped issuing student loans, but the market meltdown has left many colleges scrambling to come up enough cash to cover payroll and other near-term necessities.
TIME
More than 120,000 struggling California homeowners could see their monthly mortgage payments lowered after Bank of America Corp. agreed to provide $3.5 billion in loan and foreclosure relief to settle lawsuits it inherited with its takeover of Countrywide Financial Corp.
San Francisco Chronicle
Man Kills His Family and Himself Over Market
In a suicide note, Karthik Rajaram wrote that he had considered killing only himself because of his financial troubles, but decided to take his family with him.
New York Times
Will the Environment Lose Out to the Economy?
Environmentalists are often accused — not always unfairly — of overplaying the fear card. With apocalyptic references to melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels and widespread species extinction, the driving message of environmentalism is that the future is doomed, unless we act now to save it.
TIME
Rampant violence is Latin America's 'worst epidemic'
Violent crime in Latin America kills more people and wreaks more economic havoc than Aids, the head of the Organisation of American States warned this week. Drug trafficking, gang warfare, kidnapping and other crimes pose one of the gravest threats to the region's stability, said José Miguel Insulza. "It is an epidemic, a plague on our continent that kills more people than Aids or any other known epidemic. It destroys more homes than any economic crisis."
The Guardian
Police raid Nigeria 'baby farm'
Police have raided a private hospital in Nigeria where they suspect new-born babies were being sold to traffickers.
British Broadcasting Company
September Retail Sales Reflect the Slowdown
If the last few weeks of retail sales are any indication, it is shaping up to be, in the words of one analyst, a Christmas of movie tickets and board games.
New York Times
Nano 'Basketballs' to Battle Drug-Resistant Cancer
Drug-resistant bacteria, caused by the over-prescription of powerful antibiotics, is bad enough. Now scientists are identifying the genes responsible for drug-resistant cancers, and finding new ways to stop them.
Discovery News
Spermicide Coke, stale chips research wins Ig Nobels
A researcher who figured out that Coke explodes sperm and scientists who discovered that people will happily eat stale chips if they crunch loudly enough won alternative "Ig Nobel" prizes Thursday.
Yahoo! News
Powerful Hurricane Norbert roars toward Baja in Mexico
Hurricane Norbert strengthened Wednesday to a powerful Category 3 storm in the Pacific Ocean and was forecast to hit Mexico's Baja California peninsula by the weekend.
USA Today
Colleges Getting Hit by the Credit Crunch
American universities have long been the envy of the world, with seemingly bottomless purses to bankroll cutting-edge research, top-notch faculty and construction projects galore. And fiscally speaking, these schools have it better than most businesses in the U.S.: multiple sources of revenue, including parents willing to pay tuition through the nose amid all kinds of money trouble, have often kept these institutions insulated from economic downturns. But in a financial crisis of this magnitutde, even the ivory towers are getting hit — and in more ways than one. Not only have Bank of America, Citigroup and some two dozen other lenders cut back on or stopped issuing student loans, but the market meltdown has left many colleges scrambling to come up enough cash to cover payroll and other near-term necessities.
TIME
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Group Three -- Angel McCullar:
Fiscal news grows worse for California Senate
President Pro Tem Don Perata estimated Tuesday the state will face a $3 billion to $5 billion deficit this fiscal year without corrective action, a significant gap that increases the possibility lawmakers will have to consider new spending cuts or tax increases in a special midyear budget session.By Kevin Yamamura October 8, 2008
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1296812.html
McCain, Obama clash over economic crisis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Barack Obama and John McCain clashed repeatedly over the causes and cures for the worst economic crisis in 80 years Tuesday night in a debate in which Republican McCain called for sweeping action by the government to directly shield many homeowners from mortgage foreclosure. By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer
http://fe41.news.sp1.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_el_pr/presidential_debate;_ylt=AmH.tBLOgvLmPvo8QwI0tRcDW7oF
Obama has slim 2-point lead on McCain
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has a slim 2-point lead on Republican rival John McCain in a tight White House race, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent Oct 8, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4961BK20081008
Execs' posh retreat after bailout angers lawmakers
WASHINGTON - Days after it got a federal bailout, American International Group Inc. spent $440,000 on a posh California retreat for its executives, complete with spa treatments, banquets and golf outings, according to lawmakers investigating the company's meltdown. By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer Oct 7, 2008.
http://fe41.news.sp1.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_go_co/meltdown_aig;_ylt=AiV.NfpnXw5DrrGTHbOYzA0DW7oF
Politics, Palin good for 'Saturday Night Live'
Ratings soar as Tina Fey continues to lampoon vice-presidential candidate
NEW YORK - The politics-fueled ratings train of "Saturday Night Live" keeps rolling along this election season with Tina Fey's impersonations of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin luring viewers. By Paul J. Gough Hollywood Reporter Mon., Oct. 6, 2008
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/vp-debate-open-palin-biden/727421/
Palin's glamour poses tricky questionWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a former beauty queen running to be the United States' next vice president, challenges the old saying, "Washington is Hollywood for ugly people."By Ross Colvin - AnalysisOct 7, 2008 http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4961ES20081007
Police: Jobless father kills family, self
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A man distraught because he could not find work shot and killed his mother-in-law, his wife and three sons and then killed himself inside a home in an upscale San Fernando Valley neighborhood, police. Tue October 7, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/06/california.murder.suicide/index.html
Nepal appoints 3-year-old as new living goddess
KATMANDU, Nepal - Hindu and Buddhist priests chanted sacred hymns and cascaded flowers and grains of rice over a 3-year-old girl who was appointed a living goddess in Nepal on Tuesday.By YUVRAJ ACHARYA, Associated Press Writer Tue Oct 7, 9:59 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081007/ap_on_re_as/as_nepal_living_goddess;_ylt=ArLckYF1ZcCKSZ0VHxy_d5Ss0NUE
Mom Who Drove Youths To Fight Convicted
Teen Stabbed To Death In June 2007
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- A Long Beach mother who drove her teenage son and his friends to a fatal fight with a rival gang has been convicted of second-degree murder. Oct 6, 2008 Associated Press
http://www.kcra.com/news/17638106/detail.html?rss=sac&psp=news
Gas prices expected to fall further
Analysts see gas prices falling further as crude prices plummet and hurricane season enters a lull. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- If there's one bright spot in a bad economy, it's that gasoline prices have fallen, and they're expected to drop even further. By Ben Rooney, CNNMoney.com staff writer October 7, 2008
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/07/news/economy/_prices/index.htm
Herpes Linked to Brain Cancer
(Newser) – Cancer researchers are finally taking seriously a young surgeon's decade-long hunch that brain tumors are linked to a strain of herpes that lies dormant in 80% of Americans. The physician speculated that brain cancer patients—many of them affluent and educated—were more vulnerable to common viruses such as the herpes CMV strain because of their "hyper-hygienic" organism lives, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Oct 6, 08 7:40
http://current.com/items/89377424_herpes_linked_to_brain_cancer
1 Japanese, 2 Americans win Nobel chemistry
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Two Americans and a U.S.-based Japanese scientist won the Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday for discovering and developing a glowing jellyfish protein that revolutionized the ability to study disease and normal development in living By KARL RITTER and MATT MOORE, Associated Press Writers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_sc/eu_sweden_nobel_chemistry;_ylt=AoQ4PfYkYm7XP1D43KRKsw4PLBIF
Playboy looks for bare market on Wall Street
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Playboy magazine is offering a new way to lose your shirt on Wall Street.By Robert MacMillan Thu Oct 2, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081002/od_nm/us_playboy;_ylt=AgO0uG1PG6XdFVaF_QGlVOus0NUE
Investors expect volatility as credit woes persist
NEW YORK - The world's financial markets face an uncertain and possibly volatile week as investors await details about how the Treasury will implement the government's financial rescue package — and watch for any further fallout from the credit crisis around the globe.
By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer Sun Oct 5, 7:42 PM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/wall_street_week_ahead;_ylt=AhG.kFIaRECKzUowE1WcdP.s0NUE
President Pro Tem Don Perata estimated Tuesday the state will face a $3 billion to $5 billion deficit this fiscal year without corrective action, a significant gap that increases the possibility lawmakers will have to consider new spending cuts or tax increases in a special midyear budget session.By Kevin Yamamura October 8, 2008
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1296812.html
McCain, Obama clash over economic crisis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Barack Obama and John McCain clashed repeatedly over the causes and cures for the worst economic crisis in 80 years Tuesday night in a debate in which Republican McCain called for sweeping action by the government to directly shield many homeowners from mortgage foreclosure. By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer
http://fe41.news.sp1.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_el_pr/presidential_debate;_ylt=AmH.tBLOgvLmPvo8QwI0tRcDW7oF
Obama has slim 2-point lead on McCain
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has a slim 2-point lead on Republican rival John McCain in a tight White House race, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent Oct 8, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4961BK20081008
Execs' posh retreat after bailout angers lawmakers
WASHINGTON - Days after it got a federal bailout, American International Group Inc. spent $440,000 on a posh California retreat for its executives, complete with spa treatments, banquets and golf outings, according to lawmakers investigating the company's meltdown. By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer Oct 7, 2008.
http://fe41.news.sp1.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_go_co/meltdown_aig;_ylt=AiV.NfpnXw5DrrGTHbOYzA0DW7oF
Politics, Palin good for 'Saturday Night Live'
Ratings soar as Tina Fey continues to lampoon vice-presidential candidate
NEW YORK - The politics-fueled ratings train of "Saturday Night Live" keeps rolling along this election season with Tina Fey's impersonations of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin luring viewers. By Paul J. Gough Hollywood Reporter Mon., Oct. 6, 2008
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/vp-debate-open-palin-biden/727421/
Palin's glamour poses tricky questionWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a former beauty queen running to be the United States' next vice president, challenges the old saying, "Washington is Hollywood for ugly people."By Ross Colvin - AnalysisOct 7, 2008 http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4961ES20081007
Police: Jobless father kills family, self
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A man distraught because he could not find work shot and killed his mother-in-law, his wife and three sons and then killed himself inside a home in an upscale San Fernando Valley neighborhood, police. Tue October 7, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/06/california.murder.suicide/index.html
Nepal appoints 3-year-old as new living goddess
KATMANDU, Nepal - Hindu and Buddhist priests chanted sacred hymns and cascaded flowers and grains of rice over a 3-year-old girl who was appointed a living goddess in Nepal on Tuesday.By YUVRAJ ACHARYA, Associated Press Writer Tue Oct 7, 9:59 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081007/ap_on_re_as/as_nepal_living_goddess;_ylt=ArLckYF1ZcCKSZ0VHxy_d5Ss0NUE
Mom Who Drove Youths To Fight Convicted
Teen Stabbed To Death In June 2007
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- A Long Beach mother who drove her teenage son and his friends to a fatal fight with a rival gang has been convicted of second-degree murder. Oct 6, 2008 Associated Press
http://www.kcra.com/news/17638106/detail.html?rss=sac&psp=news
Gas prices expected to fall further
Analysts see gas prices falling further as crude prices plummet and hurricane season enters a lull. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- If there's one bright spot in a bad economy, it's that gasoline prices have fallen, and they're expected to drop even further. By Ben Rooney, CNNMoney.com staff writer October 7, 2008
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/07/news/economy/_prices/index.htm
Herpes Linked to Brain Cancer
(Newser) – Cancer researchers are finally taking seriously a young surgeon's decade-long hunch that brain tumors are linked to a strain of herpes that lies dormant in 80% of Americans. The physician speculated that brain cancer patients—many of them affluent and educated—were more vulnerable to common viruses such as the herpes CMV strain because of their "hyper-hygienic" organism lives, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Oct 6, 08 7:40
http://current.com/items/89377424_herpes_linked_to_brain_cancer
1 Japanese, 2 Americans win Nobel chemistry
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Two Americans and a U.S.-based Japanese scientist won the Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday for discovering and developing a glowing jellyfish protein that revolutionized the ability to study disease and normal development in living By KARL RITTER and MATT MOORE, Associated Press Writers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_sc/eu_sweden_nobel_chemistry;_ylt=AoQ4PfYkYm7XP1D43KRKsw4PLBIF
Playboy looks for bare market on Wall Street
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Playboy magazine is offering a new way to lose your shirt on Wall Street.By Robert MacMillan Thu Oct 2, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081002/od_nm/us_playboy;_ylt=AgO0uG1PG6XdFVaF_QGlVOus0NUE
Investors expect volatility as credit woes persist
NEW YORK - The world's financial markets face an uncertain and possibly volatile week as investors await details about how the Treasury will implement the government's financial rescue package — and watch for any further fallout from the credit crisis around the globe.
By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer Sun Oct 5, 7:42 PM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/wall_street_week_ahead;_ylt=AhG.kFIaRECKzUowE1WcdP.s0NUE
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Group 2- Tom Editor
Fears of global recession deepen as stock markets plunge
By Walter Hamilton,, Martin Zimmerman and Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers, October 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- The collapse of stock markets worldwide Monday reflects deepening concerns that government intervention won't be enough to stave off a potentially severe global recession.
LA Times
Leaders may call lawmakers into emergency session as new state budget plunges into the red
By Evan Halper and Michael Rothfeld, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 7, 2008
SACRAMENTO -- The state budget approved only weeks ago is already falling into the red, and lawmakers may be forced to return to Sacramento this month to make emergency spending cuts and take other measures to keep California from running out of cash.
LA Times
Candidates go into debate in attack modeCarla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
(10-06) 16:33 PDT -- With the Dow Jones tumbling, the credit crisis spreading and the economy in crisis, Arizona Sen. John McCain enters Tuesday's town hall debate as his embattled campaign has expanded its hard-knuckle attacks on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and the Democrat has retaliated by reminding voters of McCain's involvement in the Keating Five savings-and-loan scandal.
SF GATE
Suspect in Hells Angels killing surrenders
Chronicle Staff Report
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
(10-06) 15:54 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A man wanted in the slaying of the leader of the San Francisco Hells Angels chapter has turned himself in, police said Monday.
SF GATE
Witness: Bus driven erratically before fatal crash
By Niesha Lofing and Tony Bizjak - afurillo@sacbee.com
Last Updated 4:01 pm PDT Monday, October 6, 2008
An eye witness described the movement of a bus that crashed and killed eight people on the way to a Colusa County casino Sunday night as erratic as it careened along a country road.
Sacramento Bee
Former history teacher convicted of 11 molestation counts
From Bee Metro Staff
October 6, 2008
Gregory Rayburn, a former Rio Americano High School teacher, was convicted by jury of 11 counts of annoying or molesting a child and one count of sexual battery, the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office said Monday.
Sacramento Bee
Penguins ride air force jet to South Atlantic
By TALES AZZONI, Associated Press Writer
SAO PAULO, Brazil - More than 370 penguins that mysteriously washed up on Brazil's equatorial beaches were flown south on a huge air force cargo plane and released closer to the frigid waters they call home, animal advocates said Monday.
Yahoo News
Astros pitcher arrested in wedding reception melee
By MONICA RHOR, Associated Press Writer Oct 6, 5:08 pm EDT
HOUSTON (AP)—Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was among 10 people arrested during a brawl with police at a weekend wedding reception in a Galveston hotel bar.
Yahoo Sports
Fan use linked to lower risk of sudden baby death
CHICAGO — Using a fan to circulate air seemed to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in a study of nearly 500 babies, researchers reported Monday. Placing babies on their backs to sleep is the best advice for preventing SIDS, a still mysterious cause of death.
Comcast Net
EBay cutting 1,600 jobs, 10 percent of work force (AP)
Posted on Mon Oct 6, 2008 5:14PM EDT
NEW YORK - After a series of changes designed to draw more people to its online marketplace, eBay Inc.'s latest alteration is aimed at its own employees. The auction site operator said Monday it will cut about 1,600 jobs, 10 percent of its work force, in its largest round of dismissals ever.
Yahoo Tech
By Walter Hamilton,, Martin Zimmerman and Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers, October 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- The collapse of stock markets worldwide Monday reflects deepening concerns that government intervention won't be enough to stave off a potentially severe global recession.
LA Times
Leaders may call lawmakers into emergency session as new state budget plunges into the red
By Evan Halper and Michael Rothfeld, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 7, 2008
SACRAMENTO -- The state budget approved only weeks ago is already falling into the red, and lawmakers may be forced to return to Sacramento this month to make emergency spending cuts and take other measures to keep California from running out of cash.
LA Times
Candidates go into debate in attack modeCarla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
(10-06) 16:33 PDT -- With the Dow Jones tumbling, the credit crisis spreading and the economy in crisis, Arizona Sen. John McCain enters Tuesday's town hall debate as his embattled campaign has expanded its hard-knuckle attacks on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and the Democrat has retaliated by reminding voters of McCain's involvement in the Keating Five savings-and-loan scandal.
SF GATE
Suspect in Hells Angels killing surrenders
Chronicle Staff Report
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
(10-06) 15:54 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A man wanted in the slaying of the leader of the San Francisco Hells Angels chapter has turned himself in, police said Monday.
SF GATE
Witness: Bus driven erratically before fatal crash
By Niesha Lofing and Tony Bizjak - afurillo@sacbee.com
Last Updated 4:01 pm PDT Monday, October 6, 2008
An eye witness described the movement of a bus that crashed and killed eight people on the way to a Colusa County casino Sunday night as erratic as it careened along a country road.
Sacramento Bee
Former history teacher convicted of 11 molestation counts
From Bee Metro Staff
October 6, 2008
Gregory Rayburn, a former Rio Americano High School teacher, was convicted by jury of 11 counts of annoying or molesting a child and one count of sexual battery, the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office said Monday.
Sacramento Bee
Penguins ride air force jet to South Atlantic
By TALES AZZONI, Associated Press Writer
SAO PAULO, Brazil - More than 370 penguins that mysteriously washed up on Brazil's equatorial beaches were flown south on a huge air force cargo plane and released closer to the frigid waters they call home, animal advocates said Monday.
Yahoo News
Astros pitcher arrested in wedding reception melee
By MONICA RHOR, Associated Press Writer Oct 6, 5:08 pm EDT
HOUSTON (AP)—Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was among 10 people arrested during a brawl with police at a weekend wedding reception in a Galveston hotel bar.
Yahoo Sports
Fan use linked to lower risk of sudden baby death
CHICAGO — Using a fan to circulate air seemed to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in a study of nearly 500 babies, researchers reported Monday. Placing babies on their backs to sleep is the best advice for preventing SIDS, a still mysterious cause of death.
Comcast Net
EBay cutting 1,600 jobs, 10 percent of work force (AP)
Posted on Mon Oct 6, 2008 5:14PM EDT
NEW YORK - After a series of changes designed to draw more people to its online marketplace, eBay Inc.'s latest alteration is aimed at its own employees. The auction site operator said Monday it will cut about 1,600 jobs, 10 percent of its work force, in its largest round of dismissals ever.
Yahoo Tech
Monday, October 6, 2008
Group One
Discovery of Fossett's plane brings closure
By TRACIE CONE and MARCUS WOHLSEN - Associated Press Writers
Last Updated 9:38 am PDT Friday, October 3, 2008
MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. -- Thirteen months after millionaire thrill-seeker Steve Fossett mysteriously disappeared, authorities finally know what happened to his small single-engine airplane: It slammed straight into a mountain on a cloudy day.
Sacramento Bee at Sacbee.com
Ex-staffer at senior home suspected of assault
The Associated Press October 2, 2008CALABASAS, Calif. -- A former employee of an upscale senior home was arrested Thursday for allegedly assaulting a resident before his death.Cesar Ulloa, 20, was among four former employees of Silverado Senior Living arrested on suspicion of elder abuse, said Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives.Sacramento Bee at Sacbee.com
State auditor cites $201,000 in improper overtime, other on-the-job abuses
By Andrew McIntosh - amcintosh@sacbee.com October 2, 2008Twenty state workers from nine different departments and agencies were involved in improper on-the-job activities that cost taxpayers $201,000, and only some of that money is now being recovered, the state auditor said in a report today.Sacramento Bee at Sacbee.com
Californians have higher levels of flame-retardant PBDEs in their blood
Researchers find that residents not only have more of the chemicals in their blood than people elsewhere, but that levels in California homes can be 10 times higher. Californians have twice as much of flame-retardant chemicals in their blood and as much as 10 times more of them in their homes than elsewhere in the country, researchers say. By Thomas H. Maugh II, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 4, 2008
Las Angeles Times at LATimes.com
3-year-old plays the piano in the key of red, blue, green
Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles TimesThree-year-old Richard Hoffmann opens gifts from his parents, Annie Wang and Heiko Hoffmann, after his recital Friday afternoon at the auditorium of Pasadena Central Library. More photos >>>To teach him to play, Richard Hoffmann's mom devises a colorful songbook. It works, and the boy plays on.By James Wagner, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 4, 2008 At 3, Richard Hoffmann can't read or tie his shoes yet, but he can play the works of Johann Burgmuller, his favorite German composer.
His secret: colors. Las Angeles Times at LATimes.com
Oldest 'Footprints' on Earth Found
LiveScience StaffLiveScience.com Sun Oct 5, 10:25 AM ET
The oldest-known tracks of a creature apparently using legs have been discovered in rock dated to 570 million years ago in what was once a shallow sea in Nevada.
YahooNews at Yahoo.com
Boy wreaks zoo havoc while feeding croc
(Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Fri Oct 3, 3:10 PM ET
CANBERRA (Reuters) - The parents of a 7-year-old boy who broke into an Australian outback zoo and fed a string of small animals to its resident crocodile are likely to be sued after police said the boy was too young to be held responsible.
YahooNews at Yahoo.com
Bailout Plan Wins Approval; Democrats Vow Tighter Rules
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: October 3, 2008
WASHINGTON — After the House reversed course and gave final approval to the $700 billion economic bailout package, President Bush quickly signed it into law on Friday, authorizing the
Treasury to undertake what could become the most expensive government intervention in history
New York Times at NYTimes.com
Palin and Biden spar in VP debate but neither deals a knockout
Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images
KEEPING IT POLITE: Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin shake hands after their debate in St. Louis. In the tart but mostly peaceable matchup, Biden largely went after presidential candidate John McCain, whom Palin repeatedly cited as a “maverick.”
In a tart but civil matchup, the nominees focus on the nation's economic woes and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Both avoid major gaffes.
By Cathleen Decker and Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers October 3, 2008
ST. LOUIS -- Focused sharply on the middle class, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden fought over taxes, military strategy and which party could better rebuild America in a vice presidential debate Thursday that served as the nation's first extended look at the little-known Alaska governor who vaulted weeks ago onto the Republican ticket.
Las Angeles Times at LATimes.com
Surfs Up For Priests
POSTED: 10:44 am PDT October 5, 2008
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- On a warm, picture-perfect morning in Huntington Beach, 400 people have gathered on the sands to ask God for tubular waves, a killer swell and a safe return to shore at the beachfront town's first blessing of waves.
KCRA at KCRA.com
Simpson isolated in jail, focuses on future appeal
By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent 49 minutes ago
LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety but continues to hope for a new trial and a strong bid to reverse his conviction for kidnapping and robbery, his lawyer said Sunday.
YahooNews at Yahoo.com
By TRACIE CONE and MARCUS WOHLSEN - Associated Press Writers
Last Updated 9:38 am PDT Friday, October 3, 2008
MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. -- Thirteen months after millionaire thrill-seeker Steve Fossett mysteriously disappeared, authorities finally know what happened to his small single-engine airplane: It slammed straight into a mountain on a cloudy day.
Sacramento Bee at Sacbee.com
Ex-staffer at senior home suspected of assault
The Associated Press October 2, 2008CALABASAS, Calif. -- A former employee of an upscale senior home was arrested Thursday for allegedly assaulting a resident before his death.Cesar Ulloa, 20, was among four former employees of Silverado Senior Living arrested on suspicion of elder abuse, said Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives.Sacramento Bee at Sacbee.com
State auditor cites $201,000 in improper overtime, other on-the-job abuses
By Andrew McIntosh - amcintosh@sacbee.com October 2, 2008Twenty state workers from nine different departments and agencies were involved in improper on-the-job activities that cost taxpayers $201,000, and only some of that money is now being recovered, the state auditor said in a report today.Sacramento Bee at Sacbee.com
Californians have higher levels of flame-retardant PBDEs in their blood
Researchers find that residents not only have more of the chemicals in their blood than people elsewhere, but that levels in California homes can be 10 times higher. Californians have twice as much of flame-retardant chemicals in their blood and as much as 10 times more of them in their homes than elsewhere in the country, researchers say. By Thomas H. Maugh II, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 4, 2008
Las Angeles Times at LATimes.com
3-year-old plays the piano in the key of red, blue, green
Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles TimesThree-year-old Richard Hoffmann opens gifts from his parents, Annie Wang and Heiko Hoffmann, after his recital Friday afternoon at the auditorium of Pasadena Central Library. More photos >>>To teach him to play, Richard Hoffmann's mom devises a colorful songbook. It works, and the boy plays on.By James Wagner, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 4, 2008 At 3, Richard Hoffmann can't read or tie his shoes yet, but he can play the works of Johann Burgmuller, his favorite German composer.
His secret: colors. Las Angeles Times at LATimes.com
Oldest 'Footprints' on Earth Found
LiveScience StaffLiveScience.com Sun Oct 5, 10:25 AM ET
The oldest-known tracks of a creature apparently using legs have been discovered in rock dated to 570 million years ago in what was once a shallow sea in Nevada.
YahooNews at Yahoo.com
Boy wreaks zoo havoc while feeding croc
(Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Fri Oct 3, 3:10 PM ET
CANBERRA (Reuters) - The parents of a 7-year-old boy who broke into an Australian outback zoo and fed a string of small animals to its resident crocodile are likely to be sued after police said the boy was too young to be held responsible.
YahooNews at Yahoo.com
Bailout Plan Wins Approval; Democrats Vow Tighter Rules
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: October 3, 2008
WASHINGTON — After the House reversed course and gave final approval to the $700 billion economic bailout package, President Bush quickly signed it into law on Friday, authorizing the
Treasury to undertake what could become the most expensive government intervention in history
New York Times at NYTimes.com
Palin and Biden spar in VP debate but neither deals a knockout
Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images
KEEPING IT POLITE: Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin shake hands after their debate in St. Louis. In the tart but mostly peaceable matchup, Biden largely went after presidential candidate John McCain, whom Palin repeatedly cited as a “maverick.”
In a tart but civil matchup, the nominees focus on the nation's economic woes and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Both avoid major gaffes.
By Cathleen Decker and Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers October 3, 2008
ST. LOUIS -- Focused sharply on the middle class, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden fought over taxes, military strategy and which party could better rebuild America in a vice presidential debate Thursday that served as the nation's first extended look at the little-known Alaska governor who vaulted weeks ago onto the Republican ticket.
Las Angeles Times at LATimes.com
Surfs Up For Priests
POSTED: 10:44 am PDT October 5, 2008
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- On a warm, picture-perfect morning in Huntington Beach, 400 people have gathered on the sands to ask God for tubular waves, a killer swell and a safe return to shore at the beachfront town's first blessing of waves.
KCRA at KCRA.com
Simpson isolated in jail, focuses on future appeal
By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent 49 minutes ago
LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety but continues to hope for a new trial and a strong bid to reverse his conviction for kidnapping and robbery, his lawyer said Sunday.
YahooNews at Yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Group 4: Editor Eyragon Eidam
Senate passes $700B 'sweetened' rescue package
WASHINGTON -- After one spectacular failure, the $700 billion financial industry bailout found a second life Wednesday, winning lopsided passage in the Senate and gaining ground in the House, where Republicans opposition softened.
http://www.miamiherald.com/692/story/708483.html
Melamine-Tainted Candy Found In CT
HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Department of Consumer Protection warned consumers Wednesday not to eat "White Rabbit Creamy Candy," imported from China and distributed by Queensway Foods Company Inc. of Burlingame, Calif.
http://www.wfsb.com/health/17599817/detail.html#-
Parents of habitually truant students in area served warrants
Parents of habitually truant kids were hauled off to jail Wednesday because they couldn't get their kids to school.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/015793.html
U.S. in Nuclear Talks With N. Korea
SEOUL, South Korea — The chief American negotiator for North Korea arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday to try to keep the North from reactivating its nuclear weapons program, while a news report said the government may have been restoring a test site.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/world/asia/02korea.html?ref=world
Two Koreas end brief military talks
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Officials say the first military talks between North and South Korea in eight months ended in just an hour and a half Thursday, casting doubts over the prospect of any progress from the meeting.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/koreas.talks.ap/index.html
Governor vetoes job security for medical marijuana users
(10-01) 18:02 PDT SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill sponsored by medical marijuana advocates that would have protected most employees from being fired for testing positive for pot that they used outside the workplace with their doctor's approval.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/01/BA7Q139LQU.DTL&tsp=1
DUI arrest nets chief spokesman for prison guards
The chief spokesman for the California Correctional Peace Officers Association has been arrested in San Joaquin County on suspicion of drunken driving.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/015782.html
Mars Craft Detects Falling Snow
Icy snow falls from high in Mars's atmosphere and may even reach the planet's surface, scientists working with NASA's Phoenix lander reported yesterday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/29/AR2008092903068.html
Engineer sent text 22 seconds before fatal train crash
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A Metrolink engineer driving a commuter train sent a text message about 22 seconds before the train collided with a Union Pacific freight train last month, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/01/train.crash.probe/index.html
UC Davis Health System opens outpatient clinic
UC Davis Health System opened a new 66,000-square-foot outpatient clinic Monday, offering Placer County residents local access to primary-care physicians, specialists, cancer care and endoscopy services.
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1279260.html
Editor: Eyragon Eidam
Group members:
Manny Miramontes
Megan Sanders
Pat Patitucci
Julie Gabert
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