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Democrats Assail VA for Withholding Information about Veterans' Suicides
"Shh!" was a "very unfortunate" title for an internal e-mail about whether to release data on rising suicide attempts among veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs' top mental health official conceded to a congressional committee Tuesday. Congress Preparing Bill to Attack High Gas Prices With voters strapped by high gas prices, the Democratic leaders who run Congress will propose legislation as early as next week aimed at easing motorists' misery at the pump. Accidental Death Rate for Children Falls The accidental injury death rate for American children ages 14 and under has dropped by 45 percent in the past 20 years, safety advocates told a Senate committee Thursday. Georgia Misses Final Cut for Poetry Reading Contest Sadly, a young Georgia poet sounded his last stanza before the conclusive round of verses began Tuesday night. Truckers Loudly Call for Action to Rein in Fuel Prices With horns blaring and American flags flying from their cabs, hundreds of truckers drove around Capitol Hill in a driving rain Monday in a gear-jamming, engine-revving, ear-splitting protest against high fuel prices. Housing Starts, Prices Will Fall for Another Year, Builders Told As sales and prices of new homes recorded their steepest drops in a decade Thursday, economists warned the nation's home builders that the sinking sector may not hit bottom for another year. Georgia Lawmaker Proposes Porn Ban on Military Bases Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., has introduced a bill to prohibit the sale of "sexually explicit" material on military installations. Pope Holds First Meeting with Sex Abuse Victims Pope Benedict XVI met for the first time with people who had been sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests, the Vatican announced Thursday. Faithful Uplifted by Glimpse of Pope From crowded sidewalks to a presidential podium, Americans welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the nation's capital Wednesday with reverence, revelry and two renditions of "Happy Birthday." Nancy Brinker's Diplomatic Whirlwind: A Non-Stop Tour "Lunch is just a concept sometimes," Nancy Brinker said with a shrug. Support among Women Falling for Hillary Clinton Women like Hillary Clinton less now than when the primary season started in January, a national poll released Thursday found. Air Travel Delays Creating Pressure for 'Re-Regulation' On a day when American Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights and stranded about 100,000 passengers, the powerful chairman of a congressional committee overseeing transportation warned Wednesday that pressure is mounting to "re-regulate" the airline industry. Study: Seven 'Working Age' Texans Die Each Day Due to Lack of Health Insurance More than seven working-age Texans die each day because they lack health insurance to pay for proper medical care — about 2,700 lives lost in 2006, a study released Tuesday by an advocacy group for consumer health care found. Study: More Than 6,000 Georgians Died Over 6 Years Due to Lack of Health Insurance More than 19 working-age Georgians die each week because they lack health insurance to pay for proper medical care — about 1,000 lives lost in 2006, a study released Tuesday by an advocacy group for consumer health care found. African American Portrait Exhibition Tours Country The National Museum of African American History and Culture isn't scheduled to open until 2015 but its first exhibition is already touring the country. War Protesters Carry Out Multiple 'Strikes' All Over Washington Gleefully adapting the "direct action" anti-war tactics their parents used to help stop the Vietnam War, thousands of activists disrupted traffic and business in the nation's capital Wednesday to protest the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Students, Other Activists Plan 'Direct Action' Anti-War Protest Angela Helwig, a secretary from Bogart, Ga., is taking vacation days to join an anti-war protest Wednesday that aims to disrupt the nation's capital on the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Executives Defend Big Payouts at Firms Socked by Mortgage Losses Suffering what one congressman called a "public flogging," corporate executives on Friday defended receiving millions in dollars of compensation while their companies lost billions of dollars in the subprime mortgage debacle. Profits from Wildlife Poaching Funds Criminals, Terrorists A bottle of "wine" made from tiger bones sells for $100. Boots made from sea turtle skin go for $480 a pair. A shawl woven from the wool of Tibetan antelopes retails for $30,000. A tiger skin fetches $50,000. EPA Budget 'an Insult,' GOP Senator Says Sen. George V. Voinovich sharply criticized EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson Wednesday, telling him that "this budget you've submitted is an insult." Strickland Condemns Bush Veto of Health Insurance Expansion Gov. Ted Strickland went before his old House subcommittee Tuesday and accused President Bush of threatening the health care insurance of tens of thousands of poor people in Ohio even as the economy worsens. Perdue Urges New Method for Financial Awards for Kids' Health Coverage Gov. Sonny Perdue urged Congress Tuesday to pass a children's health insurance program that doesn't punish Georgia for covering more kids. In Mississippi Town, Another Generation of Soldiers' Names Etched in Stone For more than a quarter of a century, Shead Trimuel has studied the sparse summaries of soldiers' lives inscribed on smooth marble slabs that slide down the conveyer belt at a rate of 200 or so per day. Cindy McCain: A Profile She was a pretty 24-year-old teacher vacationing with her parents in Hawaii nearly three decades ago when they met at a cocktail party. Georgia Named a Leader for Meshing College and Job Skills with High School Georgia adopted standards in 2007 that aligned its high school graduation requirements with the skills needed for college and industry and has become a leader in this movement, a report released Wednesday found. Study: Texas Moving to Close Gap in Students' Readiness for College, Industry By adopting standards next year to align its core high school requirements with the skills needed for college and industry, Texas is moving to close the "expectations gap," a report released Wednesday found. Study Finds Substance Abuse Rampant in Country, Rap Lyrics There's more drinkin', dopin' and smokin' in country music lyrics than in rock, R&B/hip-hop or pop, according to researchers from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Kennedy Clan Passes Its Mantle to Obama The patriarch of the Kennedy clan passed a political torch to Barack Obama on Monday in a tumultuous college rally that glanced backward before reaching for the future. Atlanta Mayor Wants Stimulus Plan to Focus on Poor Americans Appearing with Senate Democratic leaders in the Capitol on Wednesday, Mayor Shirley Franklin said Atlanta needs a federal economic stimulus package that focuses tax rebates on "people at the bottom of the economic ladder" and makes more people eligible for food stamps. Gravel: Seeking Some Mileage for His 'National Initiative' "What else am I going to do with my life?" asked Mike Gravel, the 77-year-old Democratic candidate for president. The Lincoln Cottage Opens to the Public for the First Time Abraham Lincoln was a commuter president. Obama: Trying to Take His Inspiring Vision to the White House When Michelle Robinson felt herself falling for Barack Obama, she decided to test his character — on a basketball court. New Orleans Roars Back This Holiday Season as Bowl Central Still suffering the economic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, an eager Big Easy is prepared for three college bowl games in 17 days, highlighting the city's return as a top tourist destination, New Orleans residents say. Floridian's Collection at the Heart of High-Tech Library of Congress Exhibit The Library of Congress begins a "new experience for visitors" Thursday, using cutting-edge technology to create a Version 2.0 of the historic book repository. Kucinich Not Content to Just Drive Some Ideas in Presidential Race Elizabeth Harper, a strikingly beautiful, 27-year-old, 6-feet-tall Englishwoman with flowing red hair, had been in America for only a few weeks when she visited Capitol Hill in 2005 for an eight-minute meeting on monetary policy with Dennis Kucinich, then 58, a wonkish, 5-foot-7, twice-divorced Democratic congressman from Ohio. Half of Immigrants in Texas Are Illegal, Report Finds Half of the nearly 3.5 million immigrants living in Texas are in the country illegally, the Center for Immigration Studies says in a report released Thursday. Most of Georgia's New Wave of Immigrants in State Illegally, Study Finds Most of the 953,000 immigrants living in Georgia are in the country illegally, the Center for Immigration Studies says in a report released Thursday. About 30 Percent of Immigrants in Florida Are Illegal, Study Finds About 30 percent of the nearly 3.5 million immigrants living in Florida are in the country illegally, the Center for Immigration Studies says in a report released Thursday. Most Candidates Will Head Home for the Holiday Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd and his family have forsaken their traditional turkey dinner in Connecticut for "a true Hawkeye Thanksgiving" in a barn in Monticello, Iowa. Delta Taking Steps to Prevent 'Bumped' Holiday Passengers Delta Air Lines is cutting back on overbookings and inserting extra flights in an effort to prevent passengers from being "bumped" from their scheduled holiday travel, the Atlanta-based carrier's CEO told a congressional subcommittee Thursday. Delta Chief Calls for 'Czar' to Tackle New York Delays The Federal Aviation Administration should appoint a "New York airspace czar" to find solutions for the delays that threaten to curtail operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the CEO of Delta Air Lines told a congressional panel Thursday. Airlines Say They're Working to Prevent 'Bumped' Holiday Passengers The nation's airlines are cutting back on overbookings in an effort to prevent passengers from being "bumped" from their scheduled holiday travel, industry executives told a congressional subcommittee Thursday. Tax the Rich, Says One of the World's Richest Men Warren Buffett, one of the world's richest persons, urged Congress on Wednesday to ease up on taxing the poor and middle class and "take a little more out of the hides of people like me." Lyle Lovett Pushes for Performance Pay when Radio Stations Air Songs Lyle Lovett, the Texas singer-songwriter and Hollywood actor, told a Senate committee Tuesday that performers should be paid like songwriters when their recordings are aired on the radio. Huckabee: A Likable Candidate Facing 'Presidential' Hurdle Mike Huckabee marveled at being in the same sound studio at XM Satellite Radio headquarters where Paul McCartney and B.B. King had performed in the nation's capital. New Newseum to Open alongside Major Washington Monuments The press is known as the "Fourth Estate." So what are the other three estates? House Passes Revised Children's Health Insurance Program The House of Representatives passed a revised bill aimed at providing health care insurance to 10 million children Thursday but the changes failed to win enough Republican support to override a promised veto from President Bush. Poker Players Push for a New Deal on Internet Gambling You've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em — and that means poker is a game of skill and not luck, a panel of lobbyists, academics and gamblers argued Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Airlines: We'll Fight Federal Flight Caps at New York's JFK The nation's major airlines threatened Tuesday to go to court or Congress to fight a federal proposal to cut flights at New York's delay-plagued John F. Kennedy International Airport by up to 20 percent. Airlines Objecting to Federal Proposal to Cut Flights at New York's JFK Delta Air Lines and other major carriers will lodge their objections Tuesday to what they call a federal proposal for "slashing operations" at delay-plagued John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Democrats Fail to Override Bush Veto of S-CHIP Program The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives failed Thursday to override President Bush's veto of legislation to expand a state-run, federally financed children's health insurance system and Republicans promptly called for bipartisan negotiations to continue the popular program. Freshman Senator Tries to Ban Paid 'Line Standing' for Lobbyists outside Hearings The bad news spilled like an overturned Thermos of stale coffee Wednesday morning, spreading down the line of professional placeholders sprawled against the wall beside a winding marble staircase on Capitol Hill. 'Smart Television Alliance' to Promote Positives on TV for Children Don't fuss at your children for watching racy shows like "Cane" or "Entourage." Instead, join them in watching "Naked Science" or "Hannah Montana" and talk about what you saw, advocates of "good TV" urged Tuesday. Hutchison Considering Running for Texas Governor in 2010 Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison said Tuesday that she is considering running for governor of Texas in 2010 and definitely will not seek re-election to the Senate when her term expires in 2012. College Professors Say They Have Little Influence on Athletics At universities with big-time football and basketball programs, professors know better than to step in front of the freight train of commercialized sports, a law school dean told the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics on Monday. Professors Dissatisfied with Oversight Roles and Coaches' Salaries at Big Sports Schools Three out of four professors at big-time sports universities believe the head football and basketball coaches at their schools are paid too much but nearly half of these faculty members think scholarship players aren't rewarded enough, a survey by the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics found. Candidate Who Sees Triumph in His Father's Nuremberg Efforts Hopes for Equal Measure in Iowa On a sunny April day in 2006, Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd asked his wife to take a walk beside the Connecticut River near their home in East Haddam. Most Georgia Lawmakers Against Bill to Toughen Oversight of Contractors A bill passed by the House to put private contractors working in combat zones for the State Department and other federal agencies under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts "was a knee-jerk reaction to recent events involving the Blackwater security firm" and not "well-thought out legislation," Rep. John Linder, R-Ga., said Friday. Mitt's Campaign: Family Ties and Outside-the-Beltway Accomplishments What kind of a name is "Mitt" anyway? Democrats Block Vote on Georgian for FEC Democratic Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin blocked a confirmation vote Thursday on former Fulton County Republican Party Chairman Hans von Spakovsky for the Federal Elections Commission. Texas Authors Highlighted at National Book Festival Erica McKewen, who lives in Austin, stamped thousands of little ink blue bonnets or armadillos Saturday on the Texas spot on the United States map that children brought to the state's table at the National Book Festival. Ohio Authors Highlighted at National Book Festival Merce Robinson, who works for the Cleveland public library, stuck thousands of gold stars Saturday on the Ohio spot on the United States map that children brought to the state's table at the National Book Festival. Georgia Authors Highlighted at National Book Festival Maggie Ivory, who lives in Stone Mountain, stamped thousands of little ink peaches Saturday on Georgia's spot on the United States map that children brought to the state's table at the National Book Festival. Florida Authors Highlighted at National Book Festival Eileen McNally, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, stamped thousands of little pink flamingoes Saturday on the Florida spot on the United States map that children brought to the state's table at the National Book Festival. Newt Faces Steep Hurdle in Raising $30 Million Bar He's Set It would take 6,522 supporters giving the maximum legal campaign donation of $4,600 for Newt Gingrich to raise the $30 million that the former House speaker from Georgia says could convince him to run for president. Georgia Senators Urge Temporary Extension of Insurance Program for Kids Georgia's senators called Wednesday for an 18-month extension of the federal health insurance system for low-income children to make sure there is no loss of coverage if President Bush follows through on his threat to veto legislation to expand the program. Morehouse President Joins Cosby to Fight Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline Morehouse College President Robert Michael Franklin Jr. joined comedian Bill Cosby on Tuesday in urging parents to keep their sons out of the "cradle-to-prison pipeline" where African-American boys now have a one-in-three chance of spending time behind bars. Gingrich Handicaps Race, Says He May Still Join It Announcing as a presidential candidate on Jay Leno's late night TV show — as Republican and former actor Fred Thompson did recently — "is just goofy," Newt Gingrich said Thursday. Texas Lawmaker Vows Republicans Will Sustain Bush Veto on SCHIP Texas Rep. Joe Barton guaranteed that House Republicans would sustain a veto of Democrat-sponsored legislation to expand federal funding for children's health insurance Wednesday and urged other lawmakers to temporarily continue the popular program due to expire at the end of this month. Former NFL Players Call for More Benefits for Retired and Injured Players Conrad Dobler, a retired St. Louis Cardinals offensive guard once known as the dirtiest player in the National Football League, leaned heavily on a cane Tuesday as he limped to a seat in the crowded Senate committee room. Protesters, War Supporters Descend on Washington Charlie Jackson, a 48-year-old anti-war activist from Austin, waved the Texas state flag in front of the White House Saturday to rally opposition to the Iraq policy of the Texan who lives inside. Money for a Newt Campaign Coming into Group That Newt Insists Is Not Part of His Campaign An organization called "Draft Newt" is urging supporters who want Newt Gingrich to run for president to contribute to the former House speaker's policy group, which is outside of federal campaign finance control and Gingrich insists is not a campaign group. Mattel CEO Defends Toy Manufacturing Operations in China Questioned by Senators Wednesday about recent recalls of unsafe toys, the head of Mattel Inc. defended his company's decision to make 65 percent of its products for children in China. World War II Airmen Buried at Arlington Six decades after their plane crashed on a World War II mission, the remains of ten airmen were laid to rest Friday as bugle notes drifted over this garden of stone. History Buffs and Bargain Hunters Flock to Watergate Sale Dub this one "Logo-gate." Report Finds Growing Proportion of Minority Students in Colorado Public Schools As minorities continue to increase their share of America's population, white students are less likely to attend nearly all-white public schools, while African-American and Hispanic students are more likely to attend nearly all-minority schools, the Pew Hispanic Center reported Thursday. Report Finds Growing Proportion of Minority Students in North Carolina Public Schools As minorities continue to increase their share of America's population, white students are less likely to attend nearly all-white public schools, while African-American and Hispanic students are more likely to attend nearly all-minority schools, the Pew Hispanic Center reported Thursday. Report Finds Growing Proportion of Minority Students in Florida Public Schools As minorities continue to increase their share of America's population, white students are less likely to attend nearly all-white public schools, while African-American and Hispanic students are more likely to attend nearly all-minority schools, the Pew Hispanic Center reported Thursday. Report Finds Growing Proportion of Minority Students in Ohio Public Schools As minorities continue to increase their share of America's population, white students are less likely to attend nearly all-white public schools, while African-American and Hispanic students are more likely to attend nearly all-minority schools, the Pew Hispanic Center reported Thursday. Report Finds Growing Proportion of Minority Students in Texas Public Schools As minorities continue to increase their share of America's population, white students are less likely to attend nearly all-white public schools, while African-American and Hispanic students are more likely to attend nearly all-minority schools, the Pew Hispanic Center reported Thursday. Report Finds Growing Proportion of Minority Students in Georgia Public Schools As minorities continue to increase their share of America's population, white students are less likely to attend nearly all-white public schools, while African-American and Hispanic students are more likely to attend nearly all-minority schools, the Pew Hispanic Center reported Thursday. Groups Sue, Saying Mexican Trucks about to Gain Access to U.S. Highways The Teamsters Union, environmentalists and traffic safety advocates went to federal court Wednesday seeking to stop the Bush administration from opening U.S. highways to Mexican trucks as early as this weekend. Ohio Ranks 15th in U.S. Adult Obesity On a state-by-state fat scale, Ohio ranks 15th in the adult rate of obesity and 22nd for youths ages 10 through 17, a health report released Tuesday found. North Carolina Ranks 17th in Most Obese U.S. Adults Hold the biscuits and sawmill gravy, y'all! America's fattest state populations are in Dixie — including North Carolina, which ranks 17th in the adult rate of obesity and 5th for youths ages 10 through 17, a health report released Tuesday found. Texas Ranks 12th in U.S. Adult Obesity Hold the chicken-fried steak and cream gravy, y'all! Ten of America's 15 fattest state populations are in Dixie — including Texas, which ranks 12th in the adult rate of obesity and 6th for youths aged 10 through 17, a health report released Tuesday found. Georgia Ranks 14th in U.S. Adult Obesity Hold the grits and gravy, y'all! Ten of America's 15 fattest state populations are in Dixie — including Georgia, which ranks 14th in the adult rate of obesity and 12th for youths ages 10 through 17, a health report released Tuesday found. Floridians a Bit Leaner Than Their Southern Counterparts, Study Finds Although most of America's fattest state populations are in Dixie, Florida is comparably fit, ranking 34th in the adult rate of obesity and 21st for youths ages 10 through 17, a health report released Tuesday found. Poverty Rate Declines for First Time in a Decade, Study Finds The nation's official poverty rate declined last year for the first time this decade, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday. Gingrich Policy Group Returns Colo. Foundation Donation Newt Gingrich's policy organization has returned $50,000 to an educational and charity group that could not legally make a political contribution, a spokesman for the former House Speaker said Monday. Gingrich Pooling Big Money outside Campaign Restrictions While not a declared presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich's policy organization is raising and spending money in campaignlike proportions but outside of federal political funding restrictions. Census Finds 6 'Majority-Minority' Counties in Florida Following a national trend, the populations of six Florida counties — including Miami-Dade and Broward — are "majority-minority," with non-Hispanic white residents outnumbered by African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other members of racial and ethnic minorities, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday. 2006 Census Shows Georgia Has 17 'Majority-Minority' Counties Following a national trend, the populations of 17 Georgia counties are "majority minority" with non-Hispanic white residents outnumbered by African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other members of racial and ethnic minorities, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday. North Carolina Has 14 'Majority-Minority' Counties, Census Says Following a national trend, the populations of 14 North Carolina counties — including Greene County — are "majority-minority," with non-Hispanic white residents outnumbered by African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other members of racial and ethnic minorities, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday. Texas Has More 'Majority-Minority' Counties Than Other States Leading a national trend, the populations of 43 Texas counties — the most of any state — are "majority minority," with non-Hispanic white residents outnumbered by African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other members of racial and ethnic minorities, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday. Gay Support Hurts Candidates with Voters in Key States, Poll Finds Support for a presidential candidate by gay rights groups turns off more voters than it turns on in three "swing states" — but so does support by business groups, guns rights advocates and abortion rights activists, pollsters reported Wednesday. At Least 1,120 Displaced Katrina Households Still in Austin Nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, there are still more than 1,120 displaced households from Louisiana living in Austin, Texas, the Louisiana State Recovery Corps reported Tuesday. At Least 1,288 Displaced Katrina Households Still in Atlanta Nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, there are still more than 1,288 displaced households from Louisiana living in Atlanta, the Louisiana State Recovery Corps reported Tuesday. House Passes Expansion of State-Run Health Program Aimed at Poor Children The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to extend and expand federal funding for a state-run program that already provides health insurance for more than 300,000 poor children in Texas. Texan in Congress Decries Birthright Citizenship Congress, as a way to thwart illegal immigration, needs to stop bestowing citizenship upon all children born on American soil, Texas Rep. Lamar Smith said Monday. |
Bob Dart Bob Dart began his journalism career covering combat engineer operations in Vietnam for military publications. He spent two years as a reporter and editor for Today, the Gannett paper in Brevard County, Fla., and joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in November 1975. During the next seven years he worked at various times as a copy editor, make-up editor, wire editor, roving national reporter and assistant city editor. Dart was sent to the Washington bureau as the Atlanta regional correspondent in early 1983. He joined the national staff four years later. Cox Newspapers Washington Bureau 400 North Capitol St., N.W., Suite 750 Washington, D.C. 20001-1536 Phone: 202-331-0900 |
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