Charleston Gazette

Congressman Admits Taking Bribes: ; Calif. Republican Took Money, Gifts From Contractors

SAN DIEGO - Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, an eight-term congressman and Vietnam War fighter pilot, pleaded guilty to graft and tearfully resigned Monday, admitting he took $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors to steer business their way. "The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my office," the 63-year-old Republican said at a news conference. "I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, most importantly, the trust of my fr...

Pharmacy Advocate Quits: ; Assistant Secretary of Dhhr to Fill Post Until Decision Made

sfinn@wvgazette.com The state's first pharmaceutical advocate is resigning after 10 months in office to return to being a pharmacist.

Flight Prices Could Double: ; Passengers at Yeager Would Pay More

ericeyre@wvgazette.com Flight prices from Charleston's Yeager Airport might double early next year if bankrupt low-cost airline Independence Air shuts down and no discount carrier takes its place.

City Rethinks Two-Dog Limit: ; Pet Owners' Protests Receive Officials' Attention

balow@wvgazette.com Dog owners have spoken. Charleston officials are listening.

Inside

Shelter Helps Needy Get Through Hard Times: ; Gazette Charities Christmas Fund

flipside@wvgazette.com Ann is living at Jericho House, but she hopes that will soon change. On Thursday, the four-month resident of the St. Albans shelter will receive her housing certificate from the Department of Housing and Urban Development after 18 long months of waiting.

U.S. Justices Uphold Penalty in Ohio Death Sentence Case

Editorial, 4A WASHINGTON - An appeals court was wrong to throw out the conviction and death sentence of a U.S.-British citizen in a fire that killed an Ohio toddler, the Supreme Court said Monday in the second death penalty ruling under new Chief Justice John Roberts to go against an inmate.

Blizzard On Plains Stops Travelers

DENVER - Travelers trying to get home after Thanksgiving were stranded across the Plains on Monday as the region's first big snowstorm of the season closed hundreds of miles of highways, cutting visibility to zero and piling up drifts 6 feet high. Snow driven by wind up to 69 mph fell from North Dakota to the Texas Panhandle, shutting down schools and South Dakota state government.

First Public School Reopens in New Orleans: ; Lack of Housing Delays Students Return to City

NEW ORLEANS - After two years of trying, Ronald Coleman was at last delivering his children Monday to one of New Orleans' best public schools - thanks in large part to a catastrophe. "It took Hurricane Katrina to get my children in a good public school in Orleans Parish," Coleman said as he and his wife escorted their son and daughter into Benjamin Franklin Elementary.

Two British Muslims Killed in Bus Ambush

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen ambushed a bus Monday carrying British Muslims to Shiite shrines, killing two Britons and wounding three. The U.S. Embassy confirmed an American is missing in Iraq - presumably one of four aid workers who disappeared over the weekend. Also Monday, two Sunni Arab politicians were slain in separate attacks - part of an escalation of violence that U.S. and Iraqi officials predicted in advance of Dec. 15 parliamentary elections.

Saddam Blasts U.S. 'Invaders'

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A combative Saddam Hussein lashed out Monday at his treatment by American "occupiers and invaders" and lectured the chief judge about leadership as his trial resumed in a rambling and unfocused session. Two of the seven other defendants also spoke out during the 21/2- hour hearing, complaining of their treatment in detention or dissatisfaction with their court-appointed counsel.

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq - 2,107

As of Monday Nov. 28, 2005, at least 2,107 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,649 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. The figures include five military civilians. The AP count is one more than the Defense Department's tally, last updated at 10 a.m. EST Monday.

Close Call

Cpr Update Doubles Chest Compressions

DALLAS - Updating the way everyday people do CPR, new recommendations urge many more chest compressions for victims of cardiac arrest. The revised guidelines issued Monday by the American Heart Association on cardiopulmonary resuscitation advise giving 30 chest compressions - instead of 15 - for every two rescue breaths.

Expectations Have 'Profound' Impact On Health, Study Finds

WASHINGTON - Your medicine really could work better if your doctor talks it up before handing over the prescription. Research is showing the power of expectations, that they have physical - not just psychological - effects on your health. Scientists can measure the resulting changes in the brain, from the release of natural painkilling chemicals to alterations in how neurons fire.

U.S. Government Is Biggest Winner at Powerball Game: ; Treasury has Taken a Nearly $3 Billion Cut Since 1988

DES MOINES, Iowa - The nation's biggest Powerball jackpot winner is the U.S. Treasury, according to figures compiled by the Iowa Lottery and the Multi-State Lottery Association, which operates the lottery game. The federal government has netted at least $2.85 billion since the first jackpot was awarded in 1988.

Holiday Parade Set for Saturday

The city of Charleston and Charleston Town Center mall will present the annual Downtown Charleston Christmas Parade on Saturday. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will travel south along Court Street by Charleston Town Center, turn left on Virginia Street, left on Capitol Street and then left on Washington Street, ending back at Court Street near the site of the former Farmer's Market under Interstate 64/77.

Police Briefs

Kanawha man dies as car hits rail, rolls A Kanawha County man was killed early Saturday when the car he was a passenger in struck a guardrail on Campbells Creek Drive and rolled over a hillside.

Clarksburg Councilman to Head League of Cities

CLARKSBURG - Clarksburg Councilman Jim Hunt will assume the presidency of the National League of Cities next month. Hunt follows Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony Williams and precedes Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson to the top post.

Bulletin Board

TODAY West Virginia University Extension Service is holding a public forum at 6 p.m. to discuss the vacant position of agriculture and natural resources agent for Kanawha County. The public is welcome to come and share ideas about what qualifications, skills and experience they want to see in the position for the future. The meeting is held at the Dunbar Public Library. Call 768-1202 for more information.