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Nation in brief
Compiled from Times wires Court lets Lautenberg on ballotTRENTON, N.J. -- The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Democrats can replace Sen. Robert Torricelli on the November ballot with former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, even though the deadline for making such a change has passed. Republicans vowed to take the case to federal court. The 7-0 decision cited previous rulings that said election law should be broadly interpreted to "allow parties to put their candidates on the ballot, and most importantly, to allow the voters a choice." It was a crucial victory for Democrats, who saw Torricelli as a potential loser next month and are fighting to keep the seat in their hands as they try to retain or add to their single-seat majority in the Senate. Bill Pascoe, campaign manager for Republican nominee Douglas Forrester, said the case would be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Republicans say state law bars replacement candidates less than 51 days before an election; Torricelli withdrew 36 days before Election Day. Bush promises help to develop Amber AlertsWASHINGTON -- Emerging from a tear-filled private session with families of kidnapped children, President Bush said Wednesday that "predators that are smooth and seductive" must be fought by expanding nationwide the system of broadcasting urgent bulletins when a child is taken. Bush said the federal government would help turn the now-patchwork use of Amber Alerts into a coordinated nationwide network, with $10-million for training and equipment upgrades. He also announced the Justice Department would establish a national standard for the alerts and assign a federal Amber Alert coordinator to boost cooperation among state and local plans. Senate honors HelmsWASHINGTON -- The Senate paid tribute Wednesday to retiring Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, an icon of conservatism and uncompromising foe of communism who, colleagues said, abided by a southern courtliness of a bygone era. "His willingness to stand up and say what he felt was right is the essence of what it takes," said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. Added Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.: "There is no question that you have made an enormous difference." Elsewhere . . .CAR SEATS TO CARRY WARNINGS: Beginning in October 2003, child car seats will be required to carry a label warning that improper use can lead to serious injury or death. Four-fifths of car seats are incorrectly installed, leading to 68 child deaths and 874 injuries each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says. HOUSE REJECTS RELIGION BILL: By a 239-178 vote, the House on Wednesday rejected a bill that would have let religious leaders talk freely about politics without endangering their organization's tax-exempt status. EDWARDS ORDERED TO PRISON: Former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards was ordered Wednesday to report to prison by Oct. 21 to serve 10 years for extorting riverboat casino applicants during and after his fourth term. BUS CRASH KILLS 5: A bus carrying elderly sightseers on a fall foliage tour overturned on a remote Utah road Wednesday after its brakes apparently failed, killing five and injuring 20, the Utah Highway Patrol said. Details were sketchy because of a lack of phone service in the area.
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From the Times wire desk
From the AP |
