Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Fed increases key interest rate
WASHINGTON-- The Federal Reserve boosted a key short-term interest rate by a one-quarter percentage point Wednesday, its first rate increase in four years, in an attempt to keep the economy and inflation on an even keel.
Teachers will re-vote for president
The closest Chicago Teachers Union election in 30 years was declared null and void Tuesday after a union committee found "evidence of fraud" including 600 missing ballots, according to union officials.
Iraqis gain legal custody of Saddam
BAGHDAD, Iraq-- Iraq's new authorities took legal control of Saddam Hussein and 11 key deputies Wednesday, the government said, setting the stage for a trial for alleged war crimes during the deposed leader's 24 years in power.
Madigan: Fire hospital board
SPRINGFIELD -- Fallout from an alleged shakedown scheme spread Tuesday as House Speaker Michael Madigan demanded the state's hospital planning board be fired, while Gov. Blagojevich announced a state probe into whether kickbacks may have influenced last year's $10 billion pension bond deal.
Loop fire cause disputed
As Chicago Fire Department officials went public with their reasons for ruling the fatal Loop fire "incendiary," an attorney for Cook County's Mikva Commission investigating the blaze countered that he does not think evidence supports the finding.
Daley to Blagojevich: Reform school funding
Mayor Richard Daley called on the governor Wednesday to start reforming the state's education funding system this year, saying its reliance on property taxes is taking too great a toll on homeowners.
Bean's real name is a head-scratcher
Cloud Gate.
It's the new name of Millennium Park's still-unfinished mirror-like sculpture, heretofore known as the Bean.
Joliet priest admits stealing from church
A Joliet Catholic priest admitted Tuesday he took thousands of dollars from spaghetti dinners and weekly collections and used more than $12,500 in church money to install hardwood floors in his Oak Brook home, according to a federal plea agreement.
Chicago Medical School investigated by feds, two trustees step down
Federal authorities are investigating alleged financial wrongdoing at a North Chicago medical school, according to a source familiar with the probe.
Chicago area goes 0 for 6 in reaching clean air standard
All six counties in the Chicago area fail to meet the national standard for soot pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.
City of big shoulders likes its dogs big, too
Chicagoans who own purebred dogs love their Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, just like the rest of the country. But we also have a fondness for dogs not so popular elsewhere, including Rottweilers and vizslas, a Hungarian pointer.
You'll want to eat your vegetables at these places
The future of Chicago dining looks green and spicy.
Vegetable-centered menus and Indian fusion restaurants will figure in the next wave of Chicago restaurants, a panel of food and dining experts predicted Tuesday at a forum organized by the Zagat Survey.
Union chief accused of embezzling
ROCKFORD -- The embattled boss of the riggers union and the group's former pension consultant were hit with more corruption charges Tuesday, this time involving $18,000 they allegedly embezzled from a pension fund.
Lake View man found dead in same area as two unsolved killings
Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in his Lake View apartment Tuesday morning.
Walgreens settles wheelchair case
Parking spaces will soon be closer to the doors and ramps will be more wheelchair-friendly at Walgreens stores across the state.
CTA fare hike possible, mayor says
Mayor Daley acknowledged Tuesday that a second straight CTA fare increase, drastic service cuts or both are a real possibility to solve a financial crisis that has his handpicked transit team sounding the alarm to all who will listen.
Pollutant level rising in Great Lakes gull eggs
Herring gull eggs collected from nests along the Great Lakes are contaminated with a pollutant that could be as bad as PCBs.
Internet porn law struck down
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court blocked a law meant to shield Web-surfing children from dirty pictures and online come-ons, ruling Tuesday that the law also would cramp the free speech rights of adults to see and buy what they want on the Internet.
No hope for state budget by start of fiscal year
SPRINGFIELD -- Legislative leaders have all but given up hope of passing a state budget by Thursday, the start of the state's new fiscal year.
Schwarzenegger spending more on his staff
LOS ANGELES -- Even as he calls for shared sacrifice to solve the state's financial crisis, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is spending more than his predecessor on salaries for his official staff, an Associated Press investigation found.
Scott talked about how to kill, pal said
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- A friend of Scott Peterson's claimed Peterson told him nine years ago that if he ever killed someone, he would dump the weighted-down corpse in the ocean and let the fish eat it, a detective testified Tuesday.
Siblings sue airline over weighty issue
SANTA FE -- A brother and sister from northern New Mexico are suing Southwest Airlines for humiliation after an airline employee told them, in front of other passengers, that they had to buy extra tickets because their weight would cause "comfort and safety" problems for others.
Summertime and the coffee is sinful
SEATTLE -- Gary Lass didn't think twice before ordering his usual Starbucks grande mocha Frappuccino one sunny afternoon.
Bush pushes freedom, not pop culture, for Muslims
ISTANBUL, Turkey -- President Bush urged the Muslim world on Tuesday to put aside suspicion and hatred toward the West and embrace democracy, saying that does not mean Arab nations have to accept American pop culture.
Powell tells Sudan leader to curb violence in Darfur
KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Secretary of State Colin Powell issued a direct appeal Tuesday night to Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir to rein in militia groups that he said were responsible for a ''horrific'' humanitarian crisis in western Sudan, including the uprooting of more than 1 million people.
'We want to fly!' Cubans chant
MIAMI -- A day before tough new U.S. restrictions on travel to Cuba went into effect, hundreds of Cuban Americans scrambled to get onto packed flights Tuesday to visit their families in the communist nation.
Mexicans caught in Ariz. get free flights
WASHINGTON -- Mexico has agreed to take part in a program beginning July 12 that will provide free flights home for illegal Mexican immigrants arrested in the Arizona desert, U.S. officials said Tuesday.
Sharon tries to calm Israelis, but more rockets fall
SDEROT, Israel -- Palestinian militants rocketed this Israeli border town Tuesday during a visit by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, underscoring Israel's helplessness in stopping projectiles launched from the Gaza Strip.
Ulysses Grant gets a little color
WASHINGTON -- A colorful new $50 bill with touches of red, blue and yellow will start showing up this fall.
French object to NATO showing up in Iraq
ISTANBUL, Turkey -- NATO's decision to help train Iraq's armed forces set off wrangling among the allies Tuesday as more differences emerged between the French and Americans on how to best help Baghdad's new government.
Sixth Harry Potter book will be fit for a prince
NEW YORK -- No word yet on when the next Harry Potter book comes out, but at least there's a title: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
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