Dems face online queries
Dems face online queries:
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Young, Internet-savvy voters challenged Democratic presidential hopefuls on Iraq, the military draft and the candidates' own place in a broken political system, playing starring roles in a provocative, video-driven debate Monday night. The candidates faced a slew of blunt questions. Story on Page 1.
Injured veterans sue VA:
WASHINGTON -- Frustrated by delays in health care, a coalition of injured Iraq war veterans is accusing VA Secretary Jim Nicholson of breaking the law by denying them disability pay and mental health treatment. The class-action lawsuit filed Monday seeks broad changes in treatment of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Story on Page 1.
No cancer found in Bush:
WASHINGTON -- Doctors found no cancer in the five small growths removed from President Bush's colon, the White House said Monday. The growths, called polyps, were found during a routine cancer scan Bush underwent Saturday at Camp David. Examinations showed the growths were benign. Story on Page 9.
Soda's heart risks studied:
BOSTON -- People who drank more than one diet soda each day developed the same risks for heart disease as those who downed sugary regular soda, suggests a large but inconclusive study. The results surprised the researchers who expected to see a difference between regular and diet soda drinkers. Story on Page 9.
Chopper crashes at wildfire:
YREKA, Calif. -- A helicopter delivering water to firefighters battling a blaze in the Klamath National Forest crashed Monday, killing the pilot, authorities said. Investigators were trying to determine what caused the chopper to go down in "extremely rugged" mountain territory, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman.
Highway deaths falling:
ST. LOUIS -- Traffic deaths in the U.S. fell to their lowest total in five years in 2006, and the rate of deaths per miles traveled dropped to a record low, a federal safety official said Monday. Highway crashes killed 42,642 people last year. That compares with the 43,510 who died in 2005, according to agency figures.
Minimum wage jumps:
WASHINGTON -- The lowest-paid workers will soon find extra money in their pockets as the minimum wage rises 70 cents to $5.85 an hour today, the first increase in a decade and the longest span without an increase since the pay floor was enacted in 1938. About 1.7 million people earned $5.15 or less in 2006.
3 dead in home invasion
CHESHIRE, Conn. -- At least two men broke into a prominent doctor's home early Monday, kidnapped a female family member to withdraw money from a bank and then killed his wife and their two daughters, police said. Dr. William Petit Jr., who was severely injured, told police his family had been held hostage for hours.
Sheehan arrested at Capitol:
WASHINGTON -- Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested Monday at the Capitol for disorderly conduct, shortly after saying she would run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her refusal to try to impeach President Bush. Sheehan began the day by marching from Arlington National Cemetery.
Noriega fights extradition:
MIAMI -- Lawyers for former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega asked a federal judge Monday to block his extradition to France when he leaves a U.S. prison in September. Lawyers said Noriega was declared a prisoner of war by a judge in 1992, and so the Geneva Convention requires his repatriation when he is freed.
Gonzales vows to stay on:
WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says he's staying at the Justice Department to try to repair its broken image, telling Congress in a statement released Monday he's troubled politics may have played a part in hiring career federal prosecutors. Gonzales is scheduled to appear before a Senate panel today.