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Network chief resigns over publicity stunt

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published February 10, 2007

The head of the Cartoon Network, Jim Samples, resigned Friday over a publicity stunt that caused a terrorism scare in Boston. Samples, 44, said he regretted the incident and felt "compelled to step down." Dozens of blinking circuit boards showing a cartoon character giving the finger were planted in 10 cities as part of a guerrilla marketing campaign to promote the cartoon Aqua Teen Hunger Force. In Boston, the discovery of the devices Jan. 31 led police to close bridges and highways and send in the bomb squad. On Monday, Cartoon Network's corporate parent, Turner Broadcasting, and an ad agency involved agreed to pay $2-million in compensation.

Panel to consider business tax cut

The House Ways and Means Committee will consider small-business tax cuts worth $1.3-billion over 10 years in hopes of freeing minimum wage legislation stuck in an impasse between the House and Senate. The tax package is about one-sixth the size of what the Senate passed, but it sets the stage for negotiations that could result in the first increase in the minimum wage in a decade. The legislation would raise the wage floor by $2.10 over two years to $7.25 an hour. The House proposal has the backing of committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and the panel's ranking Republican, Rep. Jim McCrery of Louisiana.

Ouster sought in lacrosse case

A political opponent of Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong filed an affidavit Friday seeking to remove him from office over his handling of a case in which a stripper alleged three Duke lacrosse players sexually assaulted her. The opponent, Beth Brewer, led a pre-election campaign against Nifong. The affidavit accuses him of "willful misconduct in office." Nifong said the move was political.

Child molester gets 800 years

The former roommate of a notorious child molester was sentenced Friday to at least 800 years in prison for sexually abusing three boys. Fred Everts, 36, was convicted last year of molesting the youngsters, ages 3, 9 and 11. Former roommate Dean Arthur Schwartzmiller, 65, who authorities say may have molested hundreds of youngsters, was sentenced in January to 152 years in prison for abusing two 12-year-old boys.

Elsewhere

Miami: Government attorneys said Friday an evaluation of suspected al-Qaida operative Jose Padilla has found him competent to stand trial on terrorism charges. Padilla says he was tortured in custody, and his lawyers say he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder that raises questions about his competence.

Colorado Springs, Colo.: All 4,000 Air Force cadets will be confined to campus this weekend after a scandal in which 28 freshman are suspected of cheating on a test, school officials said.

New Orleans: A federal jury awarded $14-million Friday to a former death row inmate who came within weeks of execution but was exonerated. John Thompson, 40, maintained through 18 years in prison that he was innocent of killing hotel executive Ray Liuzza, 34, during a robbery in 1984.

[Last modified February 10, 2007, 01:46:28]