Bush signs temporary renewal of Patriot Act

Pres. Bush signed the temporaray renewal of the Patriot Act after Congress failed to come to agreement on a more permanent solution. The current renewal gives a 5 week extension so that negotiators can continue to iron out differences in the House and Senate.

Justice Department opens probe on NSA leak to NYT

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into who leaked classified information about the NSA's domestic eavesdropping to the New York Times. The case was referred by NSA to the DOJ for further review.

Defense lawyers want convictions based on warrantless wiretaps tossed

Lawyers in several states have filed motions to have convictions tossed of those clients whose calls were monitored by the NSA without a warrant on the grounds that it violates the constitution. Bush has argued that it is within his authority by the constitution and the War Powers Act to wiretap individuals if its for national security purposes. He also referred to the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act).

Padilla lawyers challenge status of client in court

Jose Padilla has been federally charged and now his lawyers say that the government must put him in federal custody rather than in a military brig. The federal government had been holding him in military confinement until the court threatened to action against the government. The Justice Department has formally charged Padilla with providing assistance to a terrorist organiztion. Padilla's lawyers have argued that since he is an American citizen that he should be accorded constitutional rights. The government contends that he conspired with a terrorist organiztion and that this went beyond a criminal act but possibly an act against the United States.

Mechanics continue strike against NWA; negotiations continue with other unions

While some union mechanics have been hired as replacements by the airline, the union voted to continue their strike. The agreement by the airline if accepted by the union would have given the mechanics 4 weeks severance pay and eligibility for unemployment benefits thereafter for the laid off status. Other unions that are currently in negotiations with the airline may strike if they cannot come to agreement. A strike by the pilots union would be a devastating blow to the airline as they are already in bankrupty protection. It has been rumored that Northwest is in the planning phase of developing a smaller airline that would serve smaller cities.

Governor and AG to appeal tobacco fee ruling

The Governor and the Attorney General are preparing to appeal the tobacco fee ruling by a district court judge. They plan to appeal directly to the State Suprme Court and ask for a stay until a final decision is reached. They will argue in their case that the 1998 settlement with big tobacco did not preclude action by the legislature only future court claims by private entities.

Federal judge strikes down Intelligent Design in the classroom

A federal judge struck down a decision by a school board in Dover, PA to teach Intelligent Design alongside Darwins Theory of Evolution in biology class. The judge who was nominated by Pres. Bush stated that Intelligent Design was too closely linked to religion.

Judge strikes down tobacco fee enacted last session

A Ramsey County Judge has ruled that the tobacco fee is in violation of the 1998 settlement had with big tobacco. The judge also ordered the state to pay back any additional revenue from the fee increase. The Attorney General had argued that the settlement prohibited future court claims but not legislative action.

NYC Transit Union goes on strike

The Transport Workers Union went on strike today leaving 7million passengers to find alternative forms of transportation. Public employees are prohibited from striking in the state of New York. As a result a court has put the union in contempt of court and fining the union $1million per day. Workers can also be fined 2 days pay for every day that they are on strike. City officials say the strike could cost the city $400 million per day.

State Supreme Court removes candidate from ballot

The State Supreme Court removed Sue Ek from the ballot in the special election in St. Cloud upholding a lower courts ruling that she did not establish residency in St. Cloud. The law requires that a candidate must have lived in the district 6months prior to the election. The republican party plans to endorse another candidate for state representative.

Bush confirms he authorized NSA to wiretap calls

US House and Senate to meet in rare weekend session before recess

UN Security Council approves 6month extension to investigate assasination of former Lebanese P.M.

McCain and White House negotiate provision on torture

Gov. Pawlenty appoints Justice Russel Anderson to Chief Justice

House passes modified version of Patriot Act; Senate may filibuster

The House passed the modified version of the Patriot Act in the Conference Report today. Some republicans and democrats in the Senate have threatened to fillibuster the Conference Report over key provision in the act relating to civil liberties. Some have suggested having a sunset provision of three months so that negotiations can continue. The current modified version has sunset provisions for 4 years for certains part of the bill. The Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is concerned that if the bill is not passed that it could jeopardize our national security relating to the way the FBI and CIA communicate on terrorims related issues.

Iranian leader irks European leaders by claiming that Holocaust didnt happen

MA Governor Mitt Romney decides not run re-election for governor in 06

MA Governor Mitt Romney announced today that he will not be running for re-election for Governor in 2006 fueling speculation that he is planning to run for president in 2008.

Congress works to pass Conference Report on Reauthorization of Patriot Act set to expire Dec. 31, 2005

Chicago and Cook Cnty, IL consider smoking ban

HC votes to temporarily rollback smoking ban till July 2007

Northwest mechanics union expected to vote on contract

Northwest mechanics are expected to vote on their contract sometime at the end of the month. Industry experts say negotiations will be tricky next time around because NWA was forced into bankruptcy due to the strike and other factors such as sky rocketing fuel costs. Under the agreement the mechanics get 4 weeks of severance pay and are eligible for unemployement benefits because previously a judge had ruled that they were not eligible for that while on strike.

Iraq prepares for election of National Assembly

Iraq is going under temporary lockdown as the country prepares to vote in its National Assembly. The borders have been sealed and travel has been restricted during the election.

CA Governor denies clemency to "Tookie" Williams; police brace for possible riots

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency to Stanley "Tookie" Williams in a statement issues today that the 4 time convicted killer showed no remorse for his crimes and that there was no factual evidence to indicate that he did not the crime. He is also founder of Los Angeles' most violent gangs the Crips. Williams lawyers have filed a last minute request for a stay to the US Supreme Court. Williams will be executed at 12:01 AM PST if that request is not granted.

Police are on high alert in case their is rioting as a result of the execution.

Former MN Senator Eugene McCarthy dead at 89

Prestigious medical journal says Merck made misrepresentations when submitting research on Vioxx

The New England Journal of Medicine says that the maker of, Vioxx, Merck may have ommitted key data in research that is submitted to the journal to be published. The pharmaceutical company ommitted deaths that were attributed to the drug. Some financial analysts expect that Merck will have to increase the amount of money dedicated to dealing with this issue. Currently the company has approximately $17B but that amount is likely to get substantially higher.

New Jersey Governor-elect John Corzine expected to appoint Rep. Menendez for US Senate

New Jersey Governor-elect John Corzine is expected to appoint Congressman Robert Menendez(D-NJ) to the US Senate which he is vacating to become governor. Menendez will finish the remainder of Corzines term in the Senate.

House of Representatives passes bill provding relief from AMT tax

The House of Representatives passed a bill today that would provide temporary relief to middle class taxpayers caught up in the AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax). It was originally designed to target wealthy individuals to pay their fair share of taxes. Unfortunately some taxpayers got caught up in it during the late 90's stock market rally and subsequent burst.

Federal Air Marshalls shoot, kill passenger who claimed to have bomb and refused to obey orders

Federal Air Marshalls shot and killed a passenger who claimed to have a bomb and refused to obey orders from federal law enforcement officers. The officers asked the passenger to drop down and the passenger refused and ran away with the bag. Officers fired shots when the passenger reached into the bag. An investigation is under way and the officers are on administrative leave which is standard procedure after this type of action.

School Administrators to propose more school days to State Legislature

School Administrators are expected to propose to extend the number of days that students are in school. School officials say that the current schedule does not allow adequate time to teach the curriculum in the era of globalization. They also pointed out that most other industrialized nations have many more school days than US schools. The schools would like to increase the number of school days to 200. Currently most schools operate between 170-175 days.

Prosecutors ask judge to limit number of testifyers in penalty phase of Moussawi case

Federal prosecutors have asked a federal judge to limit the number of testifyers because they believe that those directly impacted by 9/11 are so numerous that it would dilute the impact of the testimony.

Prof. Sam Al-Arian aquitted of fundraising for Islamic Jihad a known terrorist organization

British law approving gay marriage goes into effect

CIA secret prison camps in Europe puts Bush Admin. on the defense

The Bush Administration has been on the defense since it was leaked to the Washington Post that there were secret prison camps run by the CIA in Eastern Europe. European countries are demanding an explanation as how they could have been a party to this. Secretary of State Rice is scheduled to meet with European leaders next week and this issue will likely come up.

9/11 Commission report says it is disappointed in governments implementation of recommendations

The 9/11 Commission Chairman chastised the federal government in not taking adequate steps to fullfill the recommendations that it says are vital for the nations security. The White House defended its actions stating that they had already made necessary changes based on the report and is waiting for congressional authorization for others. The congress fired back saying that the Bush administration has not taken adequate steps to ensure funding our nations security specifically relating to the homeland and local jurisdictions.

Jury is deadlocked in Prof. Sam Al-Arian case in Florida

Professor Sam Al-Arian is on trial for raising money for a Palestinian terrorist organization Islamic Jihad. The jury is currently deadlocked on the charges. The judge instructed the jury to continue trying. Sam Al-Arian is a former professor for the University of Central Florida when he was fired by the university for alleged ties to a terror network.

Judge dismisses conspiracy charge in DeLay case

A Texas judge dismissed charges of conspiracy against Congressman Tom Delay. Delay's lawyers had requested a motion to have all charges dismissed. The money laundering charge still stands. However a inquiry into prosecutorial misconduct is underway and could nullify the the other charges.

Federal judge strikes down law prohibiting sale of explicit video game to minors

A federal judge in Illinoise has struck down a state law that would have prohibited the sale of video games that included explicit sex and violence to minors. The law was set to go into effect on Jan. 1st. The state of California has a similar law that is being challenged in court as well. The federal judge stated that the law violates First Amendment rights for the manufacturers.

US Commerce Department reporting economic growth continues despite hurricane aftermath

Top Pawlenty adviser to return to private sector

One of Governor Pawlenty's top advisers announced Friday that he would be stepping down and returning to the private sector as a consultant. Tom Mason was the former Chief of Staff to Sen. Norm Coleman and aide to former Sen. Rudy Boschwitz.

Schwarzenegger irks republicans by hiring gay democrat for Chief of Staff

MN's Department of Revenue forecasts surplus for first time in years

Canada's parliament dissolved after vote of no confidence passes; new elections scheduled

Pres. Bush called for jury duty in Texas