Charleston Daily Mail

Rivalry Heats Up Again

The WVU-Marshall game on Sept. 2 has been the talk of football fans across the state all summer, but to the people of Poca and Nitro, the real showdown will occur the week before. In places like Diehl's Restaurant and Eddie's Tire & Service Center, they've been buzzing all week over news that Nitro and Poca are resuming a long series that broke off in 1996 because of bitterness that had welled up on both sides.

Coal Bowl Pep Rally Set for Aug. 23 in City

A Friends of Coal Bowl pep rally has been tentatively scheduled 10 days before the highly anticipated football game between Marshall University and West Virginia University. "The House Divided Party" will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 23 in the Charleston Civic Center's North Hall.

Competition Changed From 'Power Idol' to 'P.I.D.O.L.'

A promotion for the West Virginia Power baseball team was aiming to crown the first "Power Idol" next month during a series of games. The takeoff on the TV show "American Idol" caught the attention of Harold Cooper, general manager of the local Fox affiliate, WVAH- TV, which airs the smash hit.

Graham Trial Draws Fascinated Onlookers,: ; Outcome of Case Could Have Far-Reaching Impact On Non-Profit Agencies

BLUEFIELD - Full courtroom crowds have stayed glued to the best reality show in town this week. Strippers, 91-year-old senior agency board members and even accountants have provided riveting testimony in the case of Bob Graham, the $450,000-a-year man who is on trial to determine whether he knowingly bilked the senior center he ran or if he is just a bad businessman.

Uninsured Job Sites Now Visibly Tagged,: ; Insurance Commission Posts Notices On Employers' Doors

Investigators with the state Insurance Commission are making their way around Charleston posting yellow signs on the doors of businesses that are operating without workers' compensation insurance. Thursday, three investigators got started posting 147 signs in Charleston. Next week, as many as 20 investigators will fan out to other parts of the state, said state Insurance Commission Jane Cline.

Heat Wave Deaths Near 100

Inmates Charged in Killing May Face Death Penalty

JESSUP, Md. - Two inmates already serving life sentences who are accused of fatally stabbing a corrections officer could face the death penalty, prosecutors said. Two aggravating factors - a murder committed by someone serving a life term and killing a law enforcement officer - could lead to a death sentence if the inmates are convicted of first-degree murder, said a spokeswoman for the Anne Arundel County state's attorney's office.

Jones Learns From Experience, the Next Time a President Visits, the City Will Handle Traffic Matters, Mayor Says

Delays of up to an hour for local motorists waiting for the presidential motorcade to make its way back to Yeager Airport from a private fundraiser in South Hills were irritating to some. Traffic was disrupted for about 15 minutes when President George Bush arrived in the city Wednesday.

Charleston Man Arrested in West Side Shooting

Police arrested a Charleston man accused of shooting a man on the West Side. Terrell James Ross, 19, allegedly shot another Charleston man in the hip area at 1805 King Ave. in Littlepage Terrace, according to the criminal complaint. Ross was identified by the victim, the complaint states.

Board Raises Prices for Putnam School Meals

The Putnam County school board has voted to increase the price of school meals. Beginning this fall, meal prices will raise 15 cents for both students and adults.

Most Employers Who Seek Policy Changes Get Them

More than 80 percent of the West Virginia employers who disputed the workers' compensation insurance statement they received last month have succeeded in getting changes made to their policies. So far, five out of six employers who protested and had their statements reviewed have received a policy change, said Harry Mahler, BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co.'s vice president for underwriting.

Man Confesses to Killing Spree

DENVER - Looking back, Johnny Norman remembers Robert Charles Browne as a tough kid from a hard-luck family who had a quick mind and a bad temper. Now, the kid Norman once taught in gym class in Coushatta, La., could turn out to be one of the nation's most prolific killers.

House Set to Vote On Wage Hike, Democrats Want: ; Minimum Hourly Pay to Increase to $7.25

WASHINGTON - House Republican leaders, giving in to political reality, plan a vote to raise the $5.15 minimum wage before leaving Washington this weekend for a five-week recess. "Whether people like it or not, we need to go ahead with it," said Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., who supports the idea. "There's a general agreement among Republicans (opposing the raise) that "maybe we don't like it much, but we need to move forward with it just for political reasons."

Mich. Governor Orders Medical Evaluation of Ailing Inmate Kevorkian

In a rare move, Gov. Jennifer Granholm has ordered an independent medical evaluation of assisted suicide crusader Jack Kevorkian, who is in failing health in a Michigan prison. "That's great news - the only thing better is if the governor sets a release date," said attorney Mayer Morganroth Thursday. He has filed four appeals on Kevorkian's behalf for early release by the Michigan Parole Board.

Picture of Breast-Feeding Baby Sparks Big Reaction

NEW YORK - "I was SHOCKED to see a giant breast on the cover of your magazine," one person wrote. "I immediately turned the magazine face down," wrote another. "Gross," said a third. These readers weren't complaining about a sexually explicit cover, but rather one of a baby nursing, on a wholesome parenting magazine - yet another sign that Americans are squeamish over the sight of a nursing breast, even as breast-feeding itself gains more support from the government and medical community.

Weather,: ; Forecasts

Tonight Periods of rain and storms. Low around 71.

National Weather,: ; Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 87 69 PCldy

Weather,: ; Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 67 57 Cldy

Nation & World

Plan would send 5,000 new troops to Baghdad WASHINGTON - As many as 5,000 additional U.S. troops with armored vehicles and tanks will be sent into Baghdad under a plan being developed by military commanders to stem escalating violence in the Iraqi capital, defense officials say.

School District Tackles Plight of Homeless Students

MAPLEWOOD, Mo. - When a friend of Randi Miller's daughter started coming around to do laundry and sit down for family meals, it soon became clear the teenager hid a secret. Like more than 100,000 U.S. high school students, the teen was homeless, a stressful situation that makes her less likely to graduate and potentially leading to social and psychological problems.