California:
Davis reveals threat to bridges
Gov. Gray Davis said Thursday that law enforcement officials have "credible
evidence" that terrorists may be targeting four California bridges,
including the Golden Gate Bridge. The FBI, however, said in an alert to law
enforcement agencies that it had not yet corroborated the information.
"Reportedly, unspecified groups are targeting suspension bridges on
the West Coast," the agency said in a message dated Wednesday and issued to
law enforcement agencies in eight western states. The Justice Department
released the text to the media in Washington, D.C., only after Davis went
public. Six "incidents"
were planned during rush hour between Friday and Nov. 7, the FBI alert said.
The
Sacramento Bee
All states except Louisiana suffer
economically
A 50-state survey confirms the latest economic worries: State revenues are down,
budget cuts are needed, and strains on government services are worsening. Adding
to the gloom, the results dont fully capture the economic damage following
Septembers terrorist attacks, the National Conference of State Legislatures
said in the report released Thursday. But Louisiana is an anomaly, the survey
shows. It is the only state in which both revenue and expenses are higher than
expected, producing a balanced financial picture so far in its budget year. Most
other states are collecting less revenue than expected and are taking steps to
cut expenses or raise revenue, the survey showed.
The Advocate
Minnesota:
Want to help fight terrorism? Get
a flu shot
State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm had some advice Thursday for Minnesotans
who want to do their part in the fight against bioterrorism: Get a flu shot.
"It's a really good idea this year," she told a Senate committee
hearing at the State Capitol. "Anything we can do to reduce the incidence
of diseases that may be confused with things we're on hyper-alert for."
Early symptoms of deadly pulmonary anthrax, which has killed four Americans on
the East Coast, are much like those of a cold or flu. Because of that, the
Health Department is being flooded with calls from Minnesotans worried about
their health, Malcolm said.
Star Tribune
States reject settlement
of Microsoft antitrust suit
Eighteen states that joined the Justice Department's historic antitrust lawsuit
against Microsoft Corp. are refusing to endorse the government's proposed
settlement, raising doubts about the deal even before its unveiling today.
The surprise agreement reached late Wednesday will be filed in federal
court in Washington this morning, but the states will ask for more time to study
it, concerned it doesn't fairly punish the software giant, sources said
Thursday. If approved by U.S.
District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, the pact would barely budge Microsoft's
position as the world's most powerful technology company.
Los Angeles Times
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