Charleston Daily Mail

Web Site Copied, Raese Aides Say: ; New Byrd Site Very Similar to Republican's, Which has Been Up for a Long Time, Consultants Say

DAILY MAIL STAFF An early topic of discussion between the two campaigns in West Virginia's U.S. Senate race isn't centered on health care, the war or the economy.

Symphony's July 4 Fireworks Includes Performance by Mayor

DAILY MAIL STAFF Charleston Mayor Danny Jones is taking his singing voice out of the shower and back before a live audience.

Get Your Gas While It's Cheap: ; Experts Say Demand From Memorial Day Travel Could Boost Prices

DAILY MAIL STAFF Local gasoline prices have dipped by as much as a quarter recently.

Garage Repairs Must Wait: ; State Developing Plan for How to Fix All of the Ailing Buildings

DAILY MAIL STAFF Repairs to the four-level Capitol Complex parking garage are desperately needed, according to a legislative audit, but state officials aren't sure when or if renovations will begin on the 7- year-old structure.

Manchin to Visit Martinsburg to Honor New Law's Namesake

MARTINSBURG - Gov. Joe Manchin plans to visit Martinsburg on Thursday to honor the namesake of a new law that establishes penalties for careless or reckless drivers who injure others. Senate Bill 473 was named "Danny's Bill" in memory of Daniel Lee Kneisly Sr., 43, who was killed in September 2004 when the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a pickup truck. The truck driver was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way and was fined $20.

Mu Satellite Director Extols Virtues of Campus

FOR THE DAILY MAIL POINT PLEASANT - Construction was to start here this morning on a $2.5 million addition to an already high-tech, 6-year-old Marshall University satellite campus, where the director had some words of advice for a delegation seeking a similar facility in Putnam County.

Education: ; Group Honors 3 As Graduates of Distinction

First Lady Gayle Manchin, Anna Green McCloy and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., will be recognized as Graduates of Distinction from The Education Alliance, West Virginia's statewide nonprofit education fund. All three of this year's recipients have been educated through the state's public school system.

Flags Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Fallen Soldier

All state flags will be lowered to half-staff today on Gov. Joe Manchin's orders in honor of a Mercer County solider who died earlier this month. United States Army Chief Warrant Officer John W. Engeman, 45, of Princeton, died May 14 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Baghdad. He was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 312th Regiment, 30th Enhanced Separate Brigade in Clinton, N.C.

Weather Almanac

Yesterday's high 71 Record high 93, 1933

Forecasts

Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 57.

Regional Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 79 57 Rain

National Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 65 45 Clr

Bill Doubles Employer Fines for Illegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON - Employers would face fines as high as $20,000 for hiring undocumented workers and have to screen all new hires as part of legislation that would grant legal status to millions of illegal immigrants. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., scheduled a test vote for today, setting up the bill for passage a day later. Supporters predicted they would have the 60 votes needed to prevail.

Thailand Hit by Flash Floods: ; Thousands Remain Trapped, Without Power

BANGKOK, Thailand - More than 100 people were feared dead today as searchers recovered corpses from a sea of mud spawned by flash floods in northern Thailand, local officials said. Rescue teams in helicopters or on foot tried to reach thousands of people stranded in their houses, on trains and in open terrain devastated by floods from days of heavy rain across several northern provinces.

Australian Miners to Appear On 'Good Morning America'

SYDNEY, Australia - Fresh from striking gold with a reputed multimillion Australian media deal, two miners who spent 14 agonizing days trapped underground are set to take their story to the United States. Brant Webb, 37, and Todd Russell, 34, will be interviewed on ABC's "Good Morning America" on June 1 or 2, an agent for the two men, Sean Anderson, said Wednesday.

Official Proposes Leasing Ill. Lotto: ; Governor Running for Re-Election Puts Forth Plan As Way to Raise $10 Billion to Fund Education Needs

CHICAGO - Gov. Rod Blagojevich proposed selling or leasing the state lottery to raise $10 billion to fund education. The plan by the Democrat, who is running for re-election, would help pay for everything from school construction to personnel. It won't be considered until the fall legislative session, after November's election.

Now Companies Can Put Their Own Stamp On Mailings

WASHINGTON - Advertising might soon be pushing the envelope. The U.S. Postal Service is allowing companies to create their own branded stamps for first-class mail. Instead of flags, you can expect to see a company logo; instead of photos of famous Americans, you might see pictures of your local real estate agent.

Nation & World

Purported bin Laden tape disavows Moussaoui role

Federal Trial Delayed for Ex-Senator, Husband

HUNTINGTON - A federal trial for former state Sen. Lisa Smith and her husband has been delayed until Aug. 22 because of a scheduling conflict. Smith and her husband, Mark, were expected to face trial Tuesday on charges of tax evasion and failure to pay about a million dollars in employment taxes.

Sentencing Postponed for Jewel Thief

LAS VEGAS - Sentencing was postponed for an international sleight of hand jewel thief who faces eight to 20 years in prison plus the possibility of another 10 to 40 years if prosecutors can convince a judge she is a habitual felon. Doris Payne, 75, agreed to the delay and remained in custody following a brief court appearance in Clark County District Court. She has been jailed in Las Vegas since her arrest last July.