Towns near NM fire, nuclear lab wary of smoke (AP)

Posted in on June 29th, 2011 by | | .

AP - Residents downwind of a wildfire that is threatening the nation's premier nuclear-weapons laboratory are worried about the potential of a radioactive smoke plume if the flames reach thousands of barrels of waste stored in above-ground tents.

Scientists monitor air as fire burns near NM lab (AP)

Posted in nuclear weapons laboratory, community scientists, materials scientists, fire burns, radiological materials, surrounding community, wildfire, new mexico, chemicals on June 29th, 2011 by | | .

AP - As crews fight to keep a New Mexico wildfire from reaching the nation's premier nuclear-weapons laboratory and the surrounding community, scientists are busy sampling the air for chemicals and radiological materials.

Obama reaps victory as judges uphold health law (AP)

Posted in on June 30th, 2011 by | | .

AP - In the first ruling by a federal appeals court on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, a panel in Cincinnati handed the administration a victory Wednesday by agreeing that the government can require a minimum amount of insurance for Americans.

Judge: Prison can forcibly medicate Tucson suspect (AP)

Posted in on June 30th, 2011 by | | .

AP - A judge ruled Wednesday that prison officials can forcibly give the Tucson shooting rampage suspect anti-psychotic drugs in a bid to make him mentally fit for trial.

Census: Fewer black children in biggest US cities (AP)

Posted in on June 30th, 2011 by | | .

AP - A catastrophic flood emptied New Orleans of much of its black youth. Powerful social forces may be doing a similar thing to places like Harlem and Chicago's South Side.

Jihadist web forum knocked off Internet (AP)

Posted in on June 30th, 2011 by | | .

AP - A popular jihadist Internet forum has been knocked off the Internet, and counterterrorism experts say it appears it was hacked.

Prisoners could be released early for crack crimes (AP)

Posted in on June 30th, 2011 by | | .

AP - One in every 20 federal prisoners could be eligible for early release under a potential sentencing change to be voted on Thursday for inmates convicted of crack cocaine offenses.

Minnesota braces for shutdown over budget impasse (AP)

Posted in gop lawmakers, budget impasse, government shutdown, democratic governor, standoff, fourth of july, state parks, shutter, brink, braces, gop, tens of thousands on June 30th, 2011 by | | .

AP - A bitter budget standoff sent Minnesota spiraling Thursday toward a wide-ranging government shutdown, threatening to shutter state parks on the brink of the Fourth of July weekend and lay off tens of thousands of workers if a deal isn't struck by midnight between the state's Democratic governor and GOP lawmakers.

Bachmann says miscarriage shaped family priorities (AP)

Posted in michele bachmann, republican presidential nomination, family priorities, foster parent, congresswoman on June 30th, 2011 by | | .

AP - Michele Bachmann, the Minnesota congresswoman seeking the Republican presidential nomination, said Wednesday that a "devastating" miscarriage led her to become a foster parent to 23 children.