Charleston Daily Mail

Birds of a Feather Demonstrate Animal Homosexuality

NEW YORK - Roy and Silo, two chinstrap penguins at the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan, are completely devoted to each other. For nearly six years now, they have been inseparable. They exhibit what in penguin parlance is called "ecstatic behavior": That is, they entwine their necks, they vocalize to each other, they have sex. Silo and Roy are, to anthropomorphize a bit, gay penguins. When offered female companionship, they have adamantly refused it. And the females aren't interested in them, ei...

Impassioned Pleas

Even though it won't see national release for more than two weeks, the controversial film "The Passion of the Christ" is already generating a great deal of interest locally. Area theaters have been inundated with calls about the soon-to- be released film, and local church congregations are planning to see the film which depicts the last 12 hours of Jesus' life en masse.

Closed Schools Nix Meals, Snow Days Mean Needy Children Don't Get Food Help

When cold weather cancels school, cafeterias close, too. Students who depend on free and reduced meals must look outside school for assistance, said Kanawha County Child Nutrition Director Gary Hendricks.

Bush Faces Firing Line, Stakes High for President in Talk Show Appearance

NEW YORK - Will it be high theater or actual news when President Bush sits down with NBC's Tim Russert for an interview that airs Sunday morning? The president, who has been known to snap at journalists over questions he deems inappropriate, will face off in an hourlong taped session today in the Oval Office with one of television's most dogged, yet polite, questioners. It will be the first time since Bill Clinton's appearance in November 1997 on "Meet the Press" that a president has been int...

State's Stars Stay Abreast

You know how things are. In the wake of Janet Jackson's performance at the Super Bowl, now everyone's going to want a "wardrobe malfunction:" * As Sen. Robert C. Byrd makes a sweeping gesture to conclude his latest speech, "Terrible Precedents in the Omnibus Conference Report," his little Shih Tzu - "Trouble" - bounds by and rips the senator's cuff, revealing: His elbow.

Area Students Encouraged to Apply for Scholarship

Charleston area students, age 6-18, are encouraged to apply for Kohl's fourth annual Kids Who Care scholarship program. The program rewards students who volunteer in their communities. Nationally, Kohl's will recognize 1,000 students, including two students through the local South Charleston store. Local winners will receive a $50 gift card. Judges will award scholarships to 114 finalists, with the top 10 receiving $5,000 scholarships.

Governor Plans to Challenge Conditions of Alcan-Pechiney Merger

Gov. Bob Wise announced that he will challenge the Justice Department decision requiring Alcan Inc. to sell the Ravenswood rolling mill as part of an agreement allowing Alcan to acquire Pechiney SA. The Justice Department's antitrust division announced in September that Alcan couldn't keep the Ravenswood plant. The plant would give Alcan, one of the largest aluminum companies in the world, too much of the brazing sheet market in North America, justice officials said.

Former Tv News Anchor Files to Run for Capito's Seat, Charleston Resident Says Health Care has Not Been Addressed

WASHINGTON - After years of interviewing elected officials, Erik Wells hopes to become one. The former television news anchor has filed to run as a Democrat in the 2nd Congressional District. The seat currently is held by Republican Shelley Moore Capito, now in her second term.

Wise Declares Emergency in Wake Of: ; Ice Storm, Sleet, Rain Pounds State; Thousands Without Power

BECKLEY - Icy weather kept the lights out for more than 40,000 West Virginians after the latest winter storm toppled power lines and prompted Gov. Bob Wise to declare a state of emergency in seven counties. State emergency officials early Saturday expected minor flooding along northern West Virginia's streams and creeks and said an undetermined number of roads were closed because of high water. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for four north- central rivers.

Woman Reports Stolen Marijuana to Police, Faces Felony

A woman who told police her marijuana was stolen faces a felony drug charge. Shane N. Walker, 25, of Charleston, faces a count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance after Charleston Police found 3 ounces of marijuana inside a gym bag belonging to her boyfriend's brother, according to a complaint filed Friday in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.

Husband, Wife Unknowingly Play Same Winning Lottery Numbers

PARKERSBURG - It was a double dose of good luck for a Parkersburg couple. Unbeknownst to each other, Richard and Lois Thomas each bought winning tickets from Kompak King, a convenience store in Parkersburg, for Thursday night's West Virginia Lottery Cash 25 drawing.

Boy Killed in Israeli Strike Against Militants

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - An Israeli helicopter gunship attacked a car carrying members of the Islamic Jihad on a busy Gaza City street today, killing a 12-year-old boy and wounding 10 people, according to the military and witnesses. The militant group, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel, vowed revenge after the strike.

Russian Officials Seek Clues After Bombing, Chechen Religious Leader Condemns Fatal Subway Blast

MOSCOW - Russian officials called for tighter controls on travel into Moscow today, a day after a bomb explosion in a subway - blamed on Chechen rebels - killed 39 people and injured more than 100. Police combed the twisted metal of the exploded subway car and questioned survivors in a search for clues to who staged the deadliest terrorist attack in the capital in years.

Judge, Agency Trade Blame , Father of Slain Girl Questions Release of Suspect in Case

SARASOTA, Fla. - The two parties responsible for supervising the man suspected in the slaying of an 11-year-old girl pointed fingers at each other Friday for not putting him behind bars in December. Joe Brucia, the father of victim Carlie Brucia, called for an investigation into how Joseph P. Smith's case was handled.

Panel Doesn't Satisfy Democrats, Bush Critics Want an Independent: ; Iraq Investigation

WASHINGTON - Democrats say President Bush's appointment of a bipartisan commission to examine intelligence on Iraq's weapons falls short of their demands for an independent probe of why prewar claims about Saddam Hussein's weapons programs now appear to have been wrong. Although a former Democratic senator and governor, Charles Robb of Virginia, will serve as the panel's co-chairman, Democrats say the panel cannot be truly independent if all nine members were selected by Republican Bush.

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News Briefs

Five bodies found in mobile home fire ROARK, Ky. - A man, a woman and three children have been found dead inside the charred shell of a mobile home in a rural eastern Kentucky community, and authorities suspect foul play.

Short Takes

"Without, or With, Offence to Friends or Foes, I Sketch Your World Exactly As It Goes." PEOPLE for the American Way issued a press release denouncing the Federal Elections Commission's plans for putting the McCain- Feingold law into action. The FEC plans to interpret the law exactly as writ, which means abridging free speech.

Bush Must Be Clear and Accurate, Second Term Depends Upon Trust of Voters

WASHINGTON - After this winter of his discontent, the president needs Spring Training. He is far from midseason form, and his accumulating errors are undermining the premise of his re-election campaign. Which is: Wartime demands hard choices and sacrifices, and a president who is steady, measured and believable.