Charleston Daily Mail

Pension Switch May Lead to Lawsuit

Charleston attorney Jim Lees has been swamped with phone calls this week after teachers and service personnel workers across the state approved the pending merger of two state retirement plans. Lees said his office received more than 150 calls in a single day, mainly from workers interested in filing a lawsuit against the state. He said a temporary office employee had to be hired to handle the influx of worried callers.

Raese Reruns Reagan Tape

The voice of former President Ronald Reagan is being used to tout Republican John Raese's campaign for U.S. Senate. A tape of Reagan made during Raese's previous campaign for Senate 22 years ago is being used in radio advertisements to promote the Morgantown businessman.

Rahall Funds Linked to Abramoff

Democratic Congressman Nick Rahall has received at least $7,000 in campaign funding linked to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, but Rahall has not returned or donated the money. A nonpartisan Washington, D.C., group that tracks political funding said campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission show Rahall received the money from American Indian tribes associated with Abramoff.

Mollohan's Finances Under Investigation

FAIRMONT - On a mountaintop above old coal seams that once fueled West Virginia's economy, a gleaming steel-and-glass research center is taking shape, its winged design and 120-foot data tower visible for miles. The $136 million building is being built with taxpayers' money for the Institute for Scientific Research, a nonprofit group launched by the local congressman, Democrat Alan Mollohan, and funded almost entirely through provisions he put into annual spending bills.

Palestinian Killed During Israeli Army Arrest Raid

NABLUS, West Bank - Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian man during an overnight arrest raid in the West Bank city of Nablus. Palestinian residents said soldiers knocked on the door of Wafaa Yaeesh, 22, and opened fire when the door was open, killing the man and wounding four relatives. Yaeesh and his family were not known to be linked to any militant groups.

Manchin Vetoes 7 Bills, Cites Technical Errors, Duplication

Gov. Joe Manchin signed all but seven of the more than 260 bills passed during this year's regular legislation session by Wednesday's midnight deadline, citing technical errors, duplication in law and other factors for his vetoes. The bills axed by Manchin include one which critics said would have aided drunken drivers. House Bill 4353 would have required law enforcement to have a magistrate or municipal judge sign off on the sworn statements they send to the Division of Motor Vehicles after ...

Judge Dismisses Attempt to Stop Windmill Project

KEYSER - A Grant County circuit judge has upheld the construction of a 200-turbine wind farm near Mount Storm saying the state Supreme Court had already ruled on the issue and he couldn't overrule the high court. "No court has that authority," Circuit Judge Phil Jordan told property owners who challenged NedPower/Shell WindEnergy's plan to build the wind farm in the county's Grassy Ridge area.

Candidates Focus On Metro Law, Democrats Running for County Commission Also Concerned with Water and Sewer Projects

The idea of metro government and supplying water and sewer projects to rural areas are vital concerns for candidates running for a spot on the Kanawha County Commission. Three of the four Democratic candidates for the slot, including incumbent Kent Carper, met with the Daily Mail editorial board on Thursday.

'Da Vinci' Author Cleared of Copyright Infringement

LONDON - A judge ruled today that best-selling author Dan Brown did not steal ideas from a nonfiction book, ending the suspense about whether the novelist committed copyright infringement in his thriller "The Da Vinci Code." High Court judge Peter Smith rejected a copyright-infringement claim by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, authors of "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail," who claimed that Brown's blockbuster "appropriated the architecture" of their 1982 book. In the United States, the bo...

Protesters, Police Clash in Nepal, Police, Students Battle On Second Day of Strike Called in Opposition to King

KATMANDU, Nepal - Police fired tear gas and fought frenzied street battles with protesters today on the second day of a strike called by government adversaries of King Gyanendra, who faces mounting opposition since he seized power a year ago. Protesters say 150 people were arrested. Hundreds of angry students took to Katmandu's narrow streets, setting fire to a post office in the capital, Katmandu, and hurling rocks at police, who fought back with tear gas and batons. Students at Katmandu's T...

Hamas Poised to Recognize State of Israel

RAMALLAH, West Bank - The Islamic militant group Hamas is ready for a "two-state" solution with Israel, a senior official said today, a position that would imply recognition of the Jewish state for the first time. The official said Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh planned to present a proposal to the moderate Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in a meeting later today. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the proposal has not yet been submitted.

Bush, Gop Hit New Low

WASHINGTON - President Bush's approval ratings hit a series of new lows in an AP-Ipsos poll that also shows Republicans surrendering their advantage on national security - grim election- year news for a party struggling to stay in power. Democratic leaders predicted they will seize control of one or both chambers of Congress in November. Republicans said they feared the worst unless the political landscape quickly changes.

Weather, Almanac

Almanac Yesterday's high 69

Weather, Forecast

Tonight Showers and storms likely. Lows in the upper 40s.

National Weather, Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 44 34 Snow

Weather,: ; Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 43 28 Cldy

Nation & World

Bush, Cheney authorized Libby's leak, report says WASHINGTON - President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney authorized Cheney's top aide to launch a counterattack of leaks against administration critics on Iraq by feeding intelligence information to reporters, according to court papers citing the aide's testimony in the CIA leak case.

Hiring Burst Sends Jobless Rate Down to 4.7 Percent

WASHINGTON - Employers, in a springtime hiring burst, boosted payrolls by a sizable 211,000 in March and pushed the nation's unemployment rate down to 4.7 percent. The latest snapshot, released by the Labor Department today, suggested that an accelerating economic expansion is putting companies in the hiring mood, brightening prospects for job seekers.

Fugitives Captured in Cabell County

HUNTINGTON - Two inmates who escaped from a Northern Panhandle correctional facility were captured in Cabell County, State Police Cpl. J.A. Laing said. U.S. marshals arrested Matthew Putnam, 23, and Robert Crum, 27, at a residence at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Laing said.

Virus Outbreak at Retirement Center Kills Two

VANCOUVER, Wash. - A viral outbreak at a retirement center has left two people dead and sickened more than 40 residents and workers, authorities said. Clark County health officials said Thursday they have asked the 180 residents of the Cascade Inn to stay in their rooms and urged friends and family not to visit until the outbreak of norovirus runs its course. Social activities have been canceled.