Charleston Daily Mail

Father and Son Serenity: ; Governor Studying Korean Self-Defense Method with Son

THERE have been times when Gov. Bob Wise was sorely tempted to silence a political critic with a well-placed karate kick. He hasn't.

Daily Mail Names New Managing Editor, Political Editor

Veteran West Virginia newsman Bob Kelly has been named managing editor of the Charleston Daily Mail, Editor Nanya Friend announced today. Replacing Kelly as the Daily Mail's political editor will be longtime staff reporter Chris Stirewalt.

Case Sparks Debate: ; Peterson Slaying Prompts Proposal to Protect Fetuses Legislature 2004; Abortion Debate

The slayings of Laci Peterson and her unborn child has been a horrifying point of interest for millions of Americans. Now, it has helped start an emerging abortion battle at the state Legislature, an attempt to create a separate, punishable crime for killing a fetus.

Bill Aims to Keep Emts: ; Proposal Would Revamp Workers' Retirement System

With the nationwide shortage of paramedics reaching peak levels here in West Virginia, emergency service agencies are calling on lawmakers to revamp the retirement system for paramedics and ambulance crews in hopes of attracting and keeping new recruits. Right now, Kanawha County is trying to fill seven vacant paramedic positions and can't even get that many applicants, ambulance authority director Joe Lynch says.

Mountain Stage Special Focuses On Black Music

An hourlong Mountain Stage special that will be aired starting Saturday celebrates the history and broad influence of African- American music. The show draws from recorded performances of more than 1,400 radio guests spanning two decades and was assembled by Mountain Stage producer Larry Groce and James Muhammad, the director of radio programming at West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Consol Energy Opening Loveridge Mine Location

If it moves more than a million tons of coal, it will be the first time the Loveridge Mine has done that since 1999. Consol Energy Inc. announced Thursday that it plans to have the mine back in full production by the end of next week.

School Board Members Debate Holidays: ; Teachers Want Extra Day Off at Thanksgiving

With two school calendar proposals up for consideration, Kanawha County Board of Education members questioned whether students should attend school the day before Thanksgiving this fall. The majority of county teachers support a day off Nov. 24 rather than another calendar option in which schools would be closed instead for President's Day, Feb. 21.

No Injuries Reported As Armed Pair Robs Big Chimney Bank

Police were searching today for two men who robbed a United Bank in Big Chimney. Two men wearing masks and dark-colored clothing charged into the bank, which sits along U.S. 119, about 10:30 a.m. Thursday and demanded money, said Trooper D.C. Brinegar of the South Charleston State Police detachment.

Fbi Using Logo to Try to Stop Media Piracy

LOS ANGELES - The FBI said it is giving film studios, music companies and software makers permission to use its name and logo on their DVDs, CDs and other media in hopes the labels will deter consumers from making illegal copies. FBI officials said the idea was conceived jointly by the agency's cyber crime division and representatives of the entertainment and software industries, who claim they've lost billions of dollars due to digital piracy.

Ralph Nader May Make Another Presidential Bid

WASHINGTON - Ralph Nader will announce Sunday whether he will make another run for the White House, but all signs indicate the consumer advocate plans to jump into the race as an independent. After weeks of postponing his decision, Nader will appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" to make the announcement, said Linda Schade, a spokeswoman for Nader's presidential exploratory committee.

Putnam Getting Movie Theater: ; Ten-Screen Complex Planned for Area in Scott Depot

By this fall, Putnam County residents only will have to go as far as Scott Depot to see a movie rather than pick a direction on Interstate 64 and drive for 20 minutes. A new 10-screen All Star Entertainment movie theater is planned for the Teays Valley Industrial Park across Interstate 64 from Putnam Village.

Weddings Unsettle Politicians: ; Congressman Fears Gay Rights Effort Will Be Hurt

San Francisco's defiant choice to perform same-sex marriages by the hundreds is reverberating nationwide as gay-rights groups celebrate, their adversaries hope for a backlash and politicians wrestle with how to respond. Mayors in Chicago, Salt Lake City and upstate New York spoke favorably of the weddings, but many politicians - including some liberal Democrats - are unsettled by the spectacle of more than 2,700 gay and lesbian couples wed over the past week at San Francisco's city hall.

Iraqi Reaction to U.N. Opinion Mixed: ; Shiite Leader Says He Will Accept Only Short Election Delay

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi politicians gave mixed reviews today to a U.N. recommendation against early elections but said they would await details before deciding how to form a new government to take power from the U.S.-led coalition after June 30. Iraq's top Shiite leader, who challenged the American plan for the handover by calling for a direct vote, reportedly said he would accept only a short delay in elections and argued that any non- elected administration must have strictly limited powers.

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News Briefs

Americans begin leaving Haiti

Memorial Designs Can Be Seen Online

NEW YORK - More than 5,000 designs from around the world entered in the World Trade Center memorial competition can be viewed in an online exhibit. The winning design, reflecting pools that mark the towers' footprints, was chosen last month from the 5,201 plans submitted from 63 countries and 49 U.S. states - the largest design competition in history, officials said.

Patriot Act Proposal Divides House Committee: ; Lawmakers Kill Bill Aimed at Limiting Police Surveillance

A divided House Judiciary Committee has killed a bill aimed to address alleged excesses of the USA Patriot Act, the sweeping federal anti-terrorism law enacted after Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. With three absences, an 11-11 tie on Thursday felled the bill, which would have barred the surveillance of people or groups engaging in legal activities by law enforcement who lack "particularized suspicion" to justify the attention.

Utility to Report On Rules' Impact: ; Power Company Answers Request From Shareholders

American Electric Power Co. agreed to produce an environmental report this year when it opposed a similar request last year because the requests weren't all that similar, a company spokesman said. The Columbus-based utility announced Thursday that it had agreed to a shareholder proposal filed by the Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds and other shareholders.

High School Looks to Business Leaders for Help: ; Proposed Program at Herbert Hoover Will Be Expensive

Herbert Hoover Principal Roy Jones wants to take his school out of the dark - the darkroom that is. With Jones' proposal to convert Hoover into a high-tech magnet school, students in a proposed digital imaging class would abandon the traditional darkroom chemicals used in developing photos altogether and use modern imaging software.