EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA--National News

Gregg, Sununu on losing side of Senate farm bill vote

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A bill passed by Congress to increase farm subsidies and nutrition programs for the poor would help wealthy farmers at the expense of taxpayers, according to New Hampshire's two senators, who voted against it.

N.H. Senate votes for poker tax

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Senate has rejected allowing video lottery machines at the state's four race tracks, but voted to tax Texas Hold 'Em poker games.
The Senate voted 13-11 yesterday against allowing video lottery at tracks in Salem, Seabrook, Belmont and Hinsdale.

NH Senate gives OK to global warming initiative

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire's Senate is backing a 10-state regional effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The Senate voted 16-8 yesterday to implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative known as RGGI, but to revisit the initiative if Congress enacts a federal program. The House next considers changes made to the proposal, especially on how much money would go into a fund to promote energy efficiency.

California's top court legalizes gay marriage

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:50:00 EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California's Supreme Court declared gay couples in the nation's biggest state can marry — a monumental but perhaps short-lived victory for the gay rights movement yesterday that was greeted with tears, hugs, kisses and at least one instant proposal of matrimony.

Robotic suit could usher in super soldier era

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:49:00 EDT

Rex Jameson bikes and swims regularly, and plays tennis and skis when time allows. But the 5-foot-11, 180-pound software engineer is lucky if he presses 200 pounds — that is, until he steps into an "exoskeleton" of aluminum and electronics that multiplies his strength and endurance as many as 20 times.

Vitamin D may help curb breast cancer, study finds

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:49:00 EDT

Breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D were much more likely to die of the disease or have it spread than patients getting enough of the nutrient, a study found — adding to evidence the "sunshine vitamin" has anti-cancer benefits.

Woman indicted in Missouri MySpace suicide case

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:48:00 EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The groundbreaking move by federal authorities to indict a Missouri mother on charges connected to the suicide of a 13-year-old MySpace user has sent a strong message to the online world: Internet impostors may be prosecuted.

N.H. House delays proposed 25 cent cigarette tax hike

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:09:00 EDT

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire is hoping to shore up its sagging budget by attracting smokers from other states to buy cigarettes at relatively bargain prices.
The House voted 190-120 yesterday to delay a proposed 25-cent cigarette tax hike in hopes residents from other states, especially Massachusetts, will stock up on New Hampshire smokes. The House rejected a move to kill the tax increase altogether.

Study: Over half of Americans on chronic medicines

Thu, 15 May 2008 02:11:00 EDT

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — For the first time, it appears that more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems, a study shows.
The most widely used drugs are those to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol — problems often linked to heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

O'Connor makes personal plea for Alzheimer's aid

Thu, 15 May 2008 02:10:00 EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first woman on the Supreme Court is now the nation's most prominent Alzheimer's caregiver.
Retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor made public her family's private battle with the mind-destroying illness yesterday as she urged Congress to speed research in hopes of slowing a coming epidemic.

Giant beetles seized at Pennsylvania post office

Thu, 15 May 2008 02:10:00 EDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Customs agents seized more than two dozen giant beetles — some the size of a child's hand — from an overseas package after postal workers heard the insects making scratching noises.

Deputies kill 2 in gun battle on Calif. reservation

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:39:00 EDT

SAN JACINTO, Calif. (AP) — A man and woman opened fire on guards at an entrance to an American Indian reservation and fled into its hilly interior, where they were killed in a gun battle with sheriff's deputies and a SWAT team, authorities said Tuesday. It was the second deadly gunfight involving deputies on the reservation in five days.

Anonymous rape tests are going nationwide

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:38:00 EDT

ELKTON, Md. (AP) — Starting next year across the country, rape victims too afraid or too ashamed to go to police can undergo an emergency-room forensic rape exam, and the evidence gathered will be kept on file in a sealed envelope in case they decide to press charges.

Sect mother of newborn not a minor, Texas concedes

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:38:00 EDT

SAN ANTONIO — Texas child welfare officials conceded Tuesday that a newborn's mother, held in foster care as a minor after being removed from a polygamous sect's ranch, is an adult.
A Child Protective Services attorney told state District Judge Barbara Walther that the mother of a boy born April 29 is not a minor, as CPS had claimed as justification for holding her.

Mid-Atlantic storm cuts power, prompts evacuations

Tue, 13 May 2008 08:38:00 EDT

LITTLE CREEK, Del. — A wet, gusty storm that lashed the mid-Atlantic states yesterday forced evacuations, flooded roads, fanned the flames of a deadly New Jersey fire and wrecked a research vessel off the Delaware coast, killing a crew member.

Fallen Franconia police officer one of 42 honored

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A memorial service in honor of fallen New Hampshire law-enforcement officers — including Franconia police Cpl. Bruce McKay, who was shot and run over during a traffic stop — may help a town to continue overcoming its grief.

N.H. doctors have electronic access to patients' records

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire doctors now have immediate access to medical records and histories for their Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield patients.
The insurer says doctors signed up for its electronic prescription program now will have access to the records by using their computer or Internet-enabled cell phone.

Southern N.H. maple syrup producers have good season

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

C0NCORD, N.H. (AP) — The numbers are coming in strong for New Hampshire's maple syrup season — especially in the southern part of the state.
"This season was awesome. We made three times the syrup we made last year," said David Wheeler of Milford, who runs close to 1,000 taps and about 165 buckets throughout the Souhegan Valley. "It was the best season in my memory."

President calls Jenna's wedding "spectacular"

Mon, 12 May 2008 01:52:00 EDT

WACO, Texas (AP) — President Bush spent months joking about being a father of the bride, but on Sunday he was downright wistful about giving his daughter Jenna away to her longtime beau.
"Our little girl, Jenna, married a really good guy, Henry Hager," Bush said, standing next Mrs. Bush at an airport in Waco where he boarded Air Force One for his flight back to Washington. "The wedding was spectacular. It's just — it's all we could have hoped for."

Scientists probe recent coyote attacks in California

Mon, 12 May 2008 01:50:00 EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The coyote was limping as it approached a girl in a sand box at a public park — but it was still dangerous. It snapped its jaws on the girl's buttocks and her nanny had to pry the toddler from the wild animal.