SC gov again dodges removal; lawmakers OK rebuke
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Lawmakers voted Wednesday to formally rebuke Gov. Mark Sanford, again sparing him from impeachment over secret trips to see his Argentine mistress and his use of state planes. The House Judiciary Committee unanimously agreed to censure the Republican governor for bringing "ridicule, dishonor, disgrace and shame" to the state. The scathing reprimand has no practical effect on Sanford's ability to govern for the 13 months that remain in his term, but legislators insisted they were not giving him a pass.
Texas parents battle school over son's long locks
BALCH SPRINGS, Texas (AP) — Pre-kindergartner Taylor Pugh likes his floppy hair just how it is: long on the front and sides, covering his earlobes and shirt collar. But his long locks violate the dress code in his suburban Dallas school district. So Taylor again Wednesday found himself facing in-school suspension, sitting in a library with a teacher's aide while his friends played and learned together in a classroom.
Police treating missing Utah mom as criminal case
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Investigators said Wednesday that they suspect foul play was involved in the disappearance of a Utah mother of two as they grew increasingly suspicious of her husband after he demonstrated an "unusual lack of cooperation" in the case. Susan Powell, 28, was reported missing Dec. 7. Her husband, Josh Powell, has not been named a suspect but authorities are highly interested in him, said West Valley City Asst. Police Chief Craig Black.
Dead rodents, skinny snakes found in Texas raid
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A raid on an exotic animal delivery company in Texas found starving snakes, hundreds of reptiles packed in shipping crates and rodents that had killed and eaten each other, officials said. Dozens of people with the city of Arlington and animal welfare groups took inventory Tuesday of the animals — estimated at 20,000 — and removed them from the U.S. Global Exotics during the raid. The Arlington-based company, which advertises that it delivers exotic animals worldwide, did not respond to a telephone message seeking comment and it's Web site was down on Wednesday.
With demand up, charities face tough holidays
For many of America's social service charities, this holiday season is providing a daunting mix of heavier demand for services, reduced funding and an ever-widening range of clients seeking help as economic woes persist. Two recent surveys convey the extent of the challenges.
Pa. police chief accused of cover-up ordered held
SHENANDOAH, Pa. (AP) — A police chief ordered held without bail on charges he tried to cover up the fatal beating of a Mexican immigrant by white teenagers was named in a 2006 lawsuit that claimed police beat to death a Hispanic teenager, then made it look like a suicide. Police Chief Matthew Nestor was never charged, but the allegations contained in the suit, in Tuesday's indictment and in other civil claims depict a police department with pervasive hostility to minorities and a penchant for using excessive force.
Scandals' domino effect shakes Ga. GOP leaders
ATLANTA (AP) — What's going on at the Georgia Statehouse these days? The House speaker, who tried to kill himself by swallowing pills, stepped down amid allegations of an affair with a lobbyist. A lawmaker who wants to succeed him admits that the IRS investigated tax legislation he sponsored that saved the governor thousands of dollars. And a lawsuit criticizes the state's insurance commissioner — himself a gubernatorial hopeful — for taking a trip to the Oscars on a campaign contributor's tab.
$8.5B CityCenter's centerpiece opens in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Casino executives prepared to open the newest and most expensive joint on the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday night — a 4,000 room resort at the heart of the $8.5 billion CityCenter complex. The 61-story Aria Resort & Casino was to be publicly unveiled with fireworks and fanfare, fitting for the heart of a project that has taken center stage in the struggling casino industry.
Laredo could be largest US city without bookstore
LAREDO, Texas (AP) — The final chapter has been written for the lone bookstore on the streets of Laredo. With a population of nearly a quarter-million people, this city could soon be the largest in the nation without a single bookseller.
Authorities: Man falls into pit in Ky. cave, dies
TATEVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A man slipped into a deep pit and was killed Wednesday while exploring a treacherous southeastern Kentucky cave, officials said. Crews worked for hours to recover the body of Steven Troxell, 21, who died of blunt force trauma, said Pulaski County Coroner Richard New.
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NASCAR is the worst of the worst when it comes to GREED in American sports! The underdog will NEVER win a title again in this league. Its the Hendrick, Rousch, RCR racing league. Founder big Bill Sr. has rolled over in his grave 2 times already and France Jr. at least a dozen times, I should know, I hear it when they do. I live in Daytona where they are buried.
185 million $'s combined in operating costs each year for the 3 big teams in the Cup league, yet homeless all over our streets here in Daytona Beach. If I had it my way, I would have NASCAR EXECS locked up for fraud. Afterall, they are using 110 million $'s in tax breaks from Bush Jr., (always wondered why Presdent Bush went Lesa Kennedys house to visit after recieving a substantial donation to Bushs' Republican party in 2004), just so they can make their track "prettier". Yet ALL (not some) NASCAR EXECS drive brand new vehicles, As if they cant afford their own! The corporate GREED of America, congrats to NASCAR and to all those that support it, how does it feel to contribute to the downfall of American values! NASCAR your a form of entertainment, not a society of yours to make it as you wish, some people might take offense or might *********!
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J.C. France, (LMAO)
Here is a son of the founding family of NASCAR , The France Family, working in the "most family orientated form of sport in human history" Bill sr. said back in 1988. J.C. France has NEVER worked a day in his life, if someone calls spending the families money for cocaine, travel, women and giving police officers a hard time ANY time he gets a chance; a job, well ok, he at least works hard at those things. I personally have spoken to this piece of sh*t. He is, without a doubt, the most narcistic, self- sensational person I have ever met. Yet he drives in the Grand Am league that Bill France Jr created back in 2002. Who let this guy out of his cage? Many people have known for a long time that he is known as a "player" locally, and it is no secret that he loves spending the families money. So what has he done? http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/21242628/detail.html
lets see how strong your fans are and call out J.C. France and the Grand AM and prove to those greed eating, my underwear dont stink types, money wont buy you happiness and have J.C. France banned to never be seen behind a wheel of a sportscar EVER again! I know I wont be in the seats watching this sport with the risk of a cocaine addict killing himself and other on and off the track. I know I'll be the first to sign a petition!
GRAND AM, did you drug test this guy or does he have "carte blanche" being his league literally? Double standard I see. This is not the first time this guys been in trouble with the local authorities.