Firstlight with Dirk Van

California Governor Orders 400 National Guardsmen To Help Battle Wildfires
(Sacramento, CA) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered 400 National Guard troops to lend assistance on the firelines of a major wildfire north of Santa Barbara. They will join more than 25-hundred firefighters already battling theblaze, one of about 300 wildfires charring California's landscape ...Read More

At Least Eight Dead In Blast Near Pakistan Mosque
(Islamabad) -- A suicide bombing near the Red Mosque in Pakistan's capital city has left at least eight people dead and dozens wounded. The Red Mosque has been the site of major strife in Islamabad ...Read More

Nadal Ends Federer's Reign At Wimbledon
(Wimbledon, England) -- Rafael Nadal lasted through five sets today to become the 2008 men's singles champion at Wimbledon. The second-seeded Spaniard defeated five-time defending champ Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 6-7 (10-8), 9-7 ...Read More

OPEC Cites Ethanol For Crude Oil Price Spike
(Washington, DC) -- The leader of OPEC is blaming skyrocketing gas prices on several factors including ethanol. MarketWatch.com reports that Chakib Khelil also cited the weak dollar and political tensions as reasons for the stunning jump in crude oil prices ...Read More

Mexico Denies Salmonella In Its Produce
(Mexico City) -- The Mexican government was quick to deny reports of U.S. officials investigating whether jalapeno peppers grown in Mexico may be tainted with salmonella. A Mexican agriculture ministry spokesman says, quote, "in Mexico, there has been no salmonella outbreak in recent months, and definitely not of the type being seen in the United States ...Read More

Weather Channel Sale In The Works
(Philadelphia, PA) -- NBC Universal and two buyout firms have agreed to buy The Weather Channel. Sources familiar with the deal say the price tag is just shy of three-point-five-billion dollars. It's said the owner of Weather Channel, Landmark Communications, originally wanted five-billion ...Read More

Rosters Revealed For 2008 MLB All-Star Game
(New York, NY) -- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez headlines the list of players voted into the 2008 All-Star Game. Rodriguez was the top overall vote-getter in fan balloting for this year's Mid-Summer Classic ...Read More

Report: Al-Qaeda Making Last Stand In Iraq
(Mosul, Iraq) -- Al-Qaeda fighters are reportedly making a last stand in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. London's "Times" says American and Iraqi forces are mounting a huge operation to crush 12-hundred al-Qaeda fighters who remain from a force estimated at 12-thousand when the offensive began in May ...Read More

Play Expected From Hostage Experience
(Paris) -- Theatergoers will be able to experience some of what Ingrid Betancourt endured during years of captivity at the hands of Colombian militants. The BBC reports Betancourt told a French newspaper she would write a play when asked if she would pen a book ...Read More

Smith Family Has Good Weekend At The Box Office
(Los Angeles, CA) -- Two members of the Smith family were in the top ten at the movies this weekend. Will Smith's "Hancock" scored the number-one spot, selling an estimated 66-million-dollars worth of tickets, despite tepid reviews ...Read More

Madonna Puts The Kibosh On A-Rod Affair Rumors
(New York, NY) -- Madonna is finally speaking out to set the record straight about the status of her marriage to director Guy Ritchie and her relationship with New York Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez ...Read More

Hitler's Head Torn Off Wax Figure In Berlin
(Berlin) -- It was opening day of Berlin's Madame Tussaud's museum when one man decided to protest by ripping the head off the wax likeness of Adolf Hitler. Critics say it'[s inappropriate to have Hitler -- the World War Two Nazi dictator who orderedthe elimination of Europe's Jews -- in a museum with celebrities, pop stars, world statesmen and sporting heroes ...Read More

Tropical Storm Bertha May Be Hurricane Soon
(Miami, FL) -- The first hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic season may be on the way. U.S. weather forecasters say Tropical Storm Bertha may gain enough steam over the next 48 hours to become Hurricane Bertha as it moves rapidly across the eastern Atlantic Ocean ...Read More

Nadal Ends Federer's Reign At Wimbledon
(Wimbledon, England) -- Rafael Nadal is the 2008 men's singles champion at Wimbledon. The second-seeded Spaniard defeated five-time defending titlist Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 6-7 (10-8), 9-7 ...Read More

Heat Wave Forecast For Wildfire-Ravaged California
(Undated) -- This week's weather forecast may be the last thing California needs. The National Weather Service predicts a heat wave will bring temperatures above 100 degrees to a 300-mile-long region stretching from San Luis Obispo up past the Napa Valley north of San Francisco ...Read More

Man In Wheelchair Allegedly Stabs Neighbor
(El Paso, TX) -- A man in El Paso, Texas, is facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly lunged from his motorized wheelchair and stabbed his neighbor. The "El Paso Times" reports that police believe 52-year-old James Grady visited his neighbor, Billy Cheeks Saturday morning ...Read More

California Wildfires Taking Heavy Toll
(Undated) -- California wildfires are moving at a record pace, already devouring more than the total amount of land lost to wildfires last year. More than a half-million acres have been consumed this year by the blazes, even though it's relatively early in the fire season ...Read More

Officials Differ On Afghan Airstrike
(Kabul) -- Officials are disagreeing about an airstrike that has taken more than a dozen lives in Afghanistan. The Afghanis claim the airstrike killed civilians at a wedding party. The U.S. military says it was a strike against armed Taliban militants ...Read More

Mexico Denies Salmonella In Its Produce
(Mexico City) -- Reports that U.S. officials will investigate jalapeno peppers grown in Mexico for salmonella have drawn a vigorous protest from the Mexican government. A Mexican agriculture ministry spokesman says, quote, "in Mexico, there has been no salmonella outbreak in recent months, and definitely not of the type being seen in the United States ...Read More

Councilman Wants "Deadbeat Diplomats" To Pay Parking Tickets
(New York, NY) -- A New York City councilman is calling for a crackdown on "deadbeat diplomats" who owe millions in outstanding parking tickets and property taxes to the city. Councilman Eric Gioia says his investigation has determined that the cityis owed over 70-million dollars in unpaid parking tickets and back real estate taxes by foreign embassies ...Read & Hear More

Probe Is Ordered Into Afghan Airstrike
(Kabul) -- A U.S.-led airstrike in Afghanistan is the target of a government probe. Afghanistan's president ordered the investigation in the wake of Friday's air attack on a northeastern province that local officials say killed 15 civilians ...Read More

Lieberman Quotes Gore Phrase When Questioning Obama War Stance
(Washington, DC) -- Senator Joe Lieberman turned to a quote from Al Gore as he questioned Barack Obama's position on the Iraq war today. Lieberman, who was Democrat Gore's running mate in the 2000 election, is now supporting presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain ...Read More

Fight Continues Against California Wildfires
(Undated) -- Almost three-thousand workers are now battling California's deadly wildfires. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is ordering 400 National Guard troops to join more than 25-hundred firefighters ...Read More

Newly Freed Colombian Hostage Plans To Write Play
(Paris) -- Ingrid Betancourt's story of years as a captive in the Colombian jungle is going to be made into a play. The BBC reports that Betancourt told a French newspaper she thinks a play would be better when asked if she would write a book ...Read More

Alligator Found In Iowa Floodwaters
(Webster City, IA) -- Floodwaters in Iowa are harboring all sorts of surprising things, including an alligator. The "Des Moines Register" reports Webster City police had to catch an American alligator that had taken refuge in a small floodwater pool in a residential backyard ...Read More

Chimp Moe Still Lost In The San Bernardino National Forest
(San Bernardino, CA) -- The search for Moe the missing chimp goes continues in California's San Bernardino National Forest. Rescuers are leaving food and water in the forest in an effort to track him ...Read More

Metrolink Killer Due Back In Court For Penalty Phase
(Los Angeles, CA) -- Juan Alvarez returns to court in Los Angeles tomorrow for the penalty phase of his murder trial. Alvarez was found guilty of murder for causing a commuter train derailment that killed eleven people ...Read More

Afghan President Orders Probe On Deadly Afghanistan
(Kabul) -- Afghanistan's president has ordered a probe into a coalition airstrike that killed more than a dozen people. The attack occurred in a northeastern province of Afghanistan. According to the U ...Read More

California Governor Orders 400 National Guardsmen To Help Battle Wildfires
(Undated) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is ordering 400 National Guard troops to help battle the Gap wildfire raging near Santa Barbara. CAL FIRE spokeswoman Janet Upton says they will join more than 25-hundred firefighters already working to contain that blaze, which has prompted evacuations and burned about 87-hundred acres so far ...Read More

Betancourt To Write Play About Hostage Ordeal
(Paris) -- Former Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt plans to write a play about her long ordeal being held hostage. Betancourt was recently freed from her militant captors in Colombia after being held hostage for six years ...Read More

Pope Comments On G8 Summit
(Castel Gandolfo, Italy) -- Pope Benedict is calling on the leaders to take steps to combat poverty and hunger as food and oil prices soar. In his weekly address, the Pope asked the leaders of the world's richest nations to put the needy at the top of their agenda and make good on previous pledges to help them ...Read More

Abba "Never" To Regroup
(London) -- The musical "Mama Mia" is a hit, and even White House contender John McCain is one of their fans, but two members of Swedish supergroup Abba say there's no chance they'll ever reform. Bjorn Ulvaeus told the "Sunday Telegraph," quote, "wewill never appear on stage again ...Read More

Tropical Storm Bertha Could Become Hurricane
(Gaithersburg, MD) -- Tropical Storm Bertha is continuing to move across the eastern Atlantic Ocean. WeatherBug meteorologist Steve Prinzivalli says Bertha could become a hurricane as it moves westward ...Read & Hear More

Newly-Freed Colombian Hostage Plans To Write Play
(Paris) -- A woman freed this week from years of captivity in the Colombian jungle says she will write a play about the experience. The BBC reports Ingrid Betancourt made the remark to a French newspaper when asked if she would write a book ...Read More

Massachusetts Senator Says McCain's Position On Iraq Is Wrong
(Washington, DC) -- Republican White House hopeful John McCain's position on the Iraq war is wrong. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry made that remark on CBS' "Face the Nation," saying that is why McCain reacted so harshly to rival Barack Obama's recent statement about refining his Iraq troop withdrawal stance ...Read & Hear More

Libertarian Presidential Candidate Says Success Isn't In Winning
(Washington, DC) -- The Libertarian candidate for president says he defines success in the upcoming election as "opening up the electoral system." Former Georgia Republican Congressman Bob Barr told ABC's "This Week" his notion of success is that after this election, Americans will no longer feel bound to a two-party system ...Read & Hear More

Airstrike Kills More Than A Dozen In Afghanistan
(Kabul) -- A coalition airstrike in Afghanistan has killed more than a dozen people. There are conflicting accounts as to exactly who was killed. Afghanis say it was a wedding party. The U.S. military says it was a strike against armed Taliban militants ...Read More

Ten Dead In Blast Near Pakistan Mosque
(Islamabad) -- An apparent suicide bombing has killed more than ten people in Pakistan's capital of Islamabad. The explosion occurred in the vicinity of the Red Mosque, a facility that has been the subject of serious strife in Pakistan ...Read More

Tropical Storm Bertha Could Become Hurricane
(Gaithersburg, MD) -- Tropical Storm Bertha is continuing to move across the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Bertha is traveling west at a speed of about 22 miles an hour over the warm waters of the Atlantic ...Read More

"Hancock" Debuts Atop Box Office
(Los Angeles, CA) -- Less-than-stellar reviews couldn't keep "Hancock" from flying to the top of the box office charts. The Will Smith movie sold an estimated 66-million-dollars worth of tickets this weekend to claim the number-one spot ...Read More

Shriner Go-Cart Hits Four
(Niles, IL) -- An out-of-control go-cart hit four people, including two children, during the annual Independence Day parade in Niles, Illinois, Friday. Police officials say a 75-year-old Shriner driving the go-cart lost control and the vehicle hit a nine-year-old ...Read More

Lieberman Takes Swipe At Obama On War Position
(Washington, DC) -- A senator who backs presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain claims Barack Obama's position on the Iraq war is an "inconvenient truth." Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Joe Lieberman used a phrase linked strongly with Al Gore, his running mate in the 2000 election ...Read & Hear More

More Than 300 Wildfires Still Burning In California
(Sacramento, CA) -- Firefighting is now California's top priority. That's the position Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took after spending time yesterday touring a fire burning in Santa Barbara. More than 300 wildfires still blaze in California ...Read More

Bush Still Planning To Attend Beijing Olympics
(Toyako, Japan) -- Saying the Beijing Olympics are about sports, not politics, President Bush is still planning to attend next month's games. He's faced criticism for his decision due to China's history of human rights violations and other issues ...Read More

G8 Participants Get Rides In Latest Cars
(Toyako, Japan) -- World leaders visiting Japan for this week's G8 summit are getting rides in the latest green vehicles. Japan's top seven automakers are providing a fleet of their best fuel misers for those attending the conference in Toyako ...Read More

Iraqi Debt Is Cancelled By United Arab Emirates
(Abu Dhabi) -- Iraq has been released from a nearly seven-billion-dollar debt to the United Arab Emirates. A UAE diplomatic source says the amount includes interest and back payments. Iraq and the United States have been asking Arab countries to forgive their share of Baghdad's outstanding debts ...Read More

Homes Flooded With Salad Dressing
(Columbus, OH) -- Homeowners in an Ohio city were shocked when their homes flooded recently with creamy salad dressing. The ranch dressing came through storm drains into basements of close to a dozen homes in a Columbus neighborhood ...Read More

Lieberman Takes Swipe At Obama On War Position
(Washington, DC) -- A senator who backs presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain claims Barack Obama's position on the Iraq war is an "inconvenient truth." Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Joseph Lieberman used a phrase linked strongly with Al Gore, his running mate in the 2000 election ...Read More

Libertarian Presidential Candidate Says Success Isn't In Winning
(Washington, DC) -- The Libertarian candidate for President says he defines success in the upcoming election as "opening up the electoral system." Former Georgia Republican Congressman Bob Barr told ABC's "This Week" his notion of success is that after this election, Americans will no longer feel bound to a two-party system ...Read More

Bush Has Economy On Mind At G8 Summit
(Toyako, Japan) -- President Bush is in northern Japan to attend a G8 summit and appears to have economics on his mind. At a pre-summit news conference, Bush remarked the American economy wasn't growing as quickly as he'd like ...Read More

More Than 300 Wildfires Still Burning In California
(Sacramento, CA) -- More than 300 wildfires are still blazing in California. Since late June, they've burned more than half a million acres of land. More than 20-thousand fire personnel are continuing to fight the fires in tough woodland terrain ...Read More

Car Bomb Kills Six In Northern Baghdad
(Baghdad) -- Six civilians in northern Baghdad were killed today in a car bombing. Fourteen more people were injured. It's believed the bombing targeted a police partol. In another incident, a roadside bomb in the Diyala province killed up to sevenrelatives of a senior Kurdish official ...Read More

Federal vs. Nadal At Wimbledon
(Wimbledon, England) -- Roger Federal battles Rafael Nadal today in the men's final at Wimbledon. It's their third Wimbledon final in as many years. Federer is trying to become the first man in the Open Era to win six-straight titles at the All England Club ...Read More

Tropical Storm Bertha Could Become Hurricane
(Gaithersburg, MD) -- Tropical Storm Bertha is continuing to move across the eastern Atlantic Ocean. WeatherBug meteorologist Steve Prinzivalli says Bertha is moving westward over warmer waters. Bertha is expected to move west northwest during the next few days and may turn to the north by midweek ...Read & Hear More

California Firefighters Continue To Make Progress
(Diamond Bar, CA) -- Firefighters in California are making some progress against a few of the state's numerous wildfires. In L.A. County, firefighters finally achieved full containment of the Brea Canyon Fire along the north 57 Freeway in Diamond Bar...Read More

Bush Says Olympics Are About Athletics, Not Politics
(Toyako, Japan) -- President Bush says he's still planning to attend the Olympics in China next month despite criticism that he should not go due to China's history of human rights violations and other issues ...Read More

Some Clinton Supporters Still Not Embracing Obama
(Washington, DC) -- The public show of unity expressed by Hillary Clinton for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama does not appear to be embraced by some of her supporters. A CNN-Opinion Research poll shows Clinton supporters who plan to jump on the Obama bandwagon is down ...Read More

Phelps To Compete In Eight Olympic Swimming Events
(Omaha, NE) -- Michael Phelps outraced world record holder Ian Crocker to claim the 100-meter butterfly in a time of 50.89 seconds yesterday at the U.S. Olympic Swimming trials. The victory means Phelps will compete in eight different events at the Olympics in China next month ...Read More

Alligator Found In Iowa Floodwaters
(Webster City, IA) -- Police in Iowa had to deal with a pet found in floodwaters last week that was a little bit more dangerous than your average cat or dog. The "Des Moines Register" reports that Webster City police had to catch an American alligator that had taken refuge in a small floodwater pool in a residential backyard ...Read More

Pope Comments On G8 Summit
(Castel Gandolfo) -- On the eve of the Group of Eight summit in Japan, Pope Benedict is calling on the leaders to take steps to combat poverty and hunger as food and oil prices soar. In his weekly address today, the Pope asked the leaders of the world's richest nations to put the needy at the top of their agenda and make good on previous pledges to help them ...Read More

Afghan President Orders Investigation Of Civilian Deaths
(Kabul) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is ordering an investigation into a U.S.-led airstrike local officials claim killed more than a dozen civilians, while U.S. military officials say only armed militants were killed ...Read More

Wimbledon Looks Forward To Historic Men's Final
(Wimbledon, England) -- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are looking to make history in the men's singles final at Wimbledon, scheduled for today. The top-seeded Federer is looking to become the first man in the Open Era to win six-straight titles at the All England Club ...Read More

Seventy-Year-Old Indian Woman Gives Birth To Twins
(Undated) -- A 70-year-old Indian woman has become the world's oldest mother after giving birth to twins. Britain's "The Sun" reports the wife of a retired farmer had the babies to produce a male heir to the family's property holdings located seven hours north of India's capital ...Read More

Bush Says Olympics Are About Athletics, Not Politics
(Toyako) -- President Bush says he's still planning to attend the Olympics in China next month despite criticism that he should not go due to China's history of human rights violations and other issues ...Read More

Bush Addresses U.S. Economy During Trip To Japan
(Toyako) -- Stating the U.S. economy isn't growing as rapidly as he would like, President Bush says he is working with Congress to stimulate growth and solve other issues plaguing the country's economic situation ...Read More

Cooler Weather Not Enough To Slow California Fires
(Undated) -- Despite cooler weather, wildfires continue to rage throughout parts of California. Smoke masks have been issued to residents in the Goleta area near Santa Barbara. About 66-hundred acres have been scorched in the region of the state ...Read More

Bush Arrives In Japan For G8 Summit
(Chitose) -- President Bush has arrived in Japan for the Group of Eight rich nations' meetings. North Korea's nuclear weapons program, soaring oil and food prices, and climate change are expected to be the top issues discussed during the meetings ...Read More

Durbin Blasts Senate Republicans For Filibusters
(Undated) -- During their weekly radio response yesterday, Democrats criticized Republicans for blocking legislation by using filibusters. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin said the Senate Republican leadership has already shattered the record for filibusters with six months to go in the current session ...Read More

Inspectors To Halt Import Of Some Food From Mexico
(Washington, DC) -- Health inspectors will halt the shipment of some food from Mexico to the U.S. beginning tomorrow. CNN cites sources familiar with the salmonella poisoning probe as saying the inquiry, which initially focused solely on tomatoes, has expanded to include cilantro, jalapeno peppers, Serrano peppers, scallions and bulb onions ...Read More

Man Who Found Massive Ring Searches For The Owner
(Tysons Corner, VA) -- It may have been temptation with a capital "T," but a Virginia man has decided to do the right thing. Keith Stetzer recently found a dirty, but valuable, three carat diamond ring worth 40-thousand-dollars in an abandoned parking lot ...Read More

President Delivers Fourth Of July Message
(Washington, DC) -- During his weekly radio address, President Bush celebrated the meaning of the Fourth of July holiday. On this Fourth of July holiday, the President said all Americans owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of the military for allowing the United States to endure as a free society ...Read More

Salmonella Infections Grow To 943
(Washington, DC) -- The number of people infected with Salmonella Saintpaul has grown to 943. Data from the Food and Drug Administration indicates at least 130 people nationwide have been hospitalized from the illness that is thought to stem from rawtomatoes and foods containing tomatoes ...Read More

Estonian Couple Captures Finland's Annual Wife-Carry Race
(Sonkajarvi, Finland) -- The annual "wife-carrying" race in Finland is over. Out of the field of 48 couples from 13 countries came Estonians Alar Voogla and his teammate, Kirsti Viltrop, to capture first place ...Read More

Republican Primary And Caucus Wins By State
(Undated) -- Here is the breakdown of wins by candidate in the race for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Arizona Senator John McCain has earned enough delegates to secure the nominati ...Read More

Democratic Primary And Caucus Wins By State
(Undated) -- Here is the breakdown of wins by candidate in the race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Illinois Senator Barack Obama has earned enough delegates to secure the nomination ...Read More

Calendar Of Remaining Primaries, Caucuses And The Conventions
(Undated) -- The following is a month by month listing of the remaining primaries and caucuses. At the end you will also find the dates for the Democratic and Republican Conventions. AUGUST 2008 --Aug ...Read More

Venus Williams Repeats as Wimbledon Women's Champ
(Wimbledon, England) -- For the second straight year, Venus Williams is the women's singles champion at Wimbledon. The seventh-seeded American came from 3-1 down in the first set to beat her sister Serena 7-5, 6-4 ...Read & Hear More

Dozens Injured In Fireworks Mishap In Northern Iowa Town
(Charles City, IA) -- A Fourth of July fireworks display in a community that dubs itself "America's Hometown" ended with screams of terror Friday night as the grand finale took aim at Main Street. Charles City, Iowa Assistant Fire Chief Dave Boehmersays the contractor hired to conduct the city's annual fireworks display had just begun the grand finale when a mishap sent about a dozen banks of large fireworks into a crowd ...

Durbin Criticizes Senate Republicans Over Filibusters
(Undated) -- Illinois Senator Dick Durbin blasted Senate Republicans for their use of filibusters to block key pieces of legislation. In the weekly Democratic radio address, Durbin singled out one bill that would allow medicare beneficiaries to see adoctor of their choice That's because Medicare payments are tied into the system used by military families ...Read & Hear More

Durbin Criticizes Republican Tactics In Radio Address
(Undated) -- Here is Illinois Senator Dick Durbin with the weekly Democratic radio address. ...Read & Hear More

Schwarzenegger Tours Wildfire Burning In Santa Barbara
(Santa Barbara, CA) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spent part of yesterday touring the Gap fire burning in Santa Barbara which is now the top priority in the state. Statewide, there are more than 17-hundred fires burning with just over80-percent of them contained at this point ...Read & Hear More

President Bush Reflects On Fourth Of July Holiday
(Washington, DC) -- President Bush talked about the meaning of the Fourth of July holiday during his weekly radio address today. On Friday, he attended a ceremony where more than 70 people from 30 different countries became U ...Read & Hear More

President Bush Honors Significance Of Fourth Of July
(Washington, DC) -- Here is President Bush's weekly radio address for Saturday July 5, 2008. ...Read & Hear More

Barbeque Tips For July 4th Weekend
(Undated) -- As a way to celebrate both the the July Fourth weekend and the summer season, many Americans are headed to the backyard and firing up the grill for barbeque. Author of "The Barbeque! Bible," Steven Raichlen says there are three key tools for prospectice barbeque chefs: long handled tongs, a stiff wire brush for cleaning the grill, and an instant thermometer ...Read & Hear More

Rising Gas Prices Mean More People Using Trains
(Undated) -- With gas and oil prices continuing their record-setting pace many Americans have rediscovered the railroad. Amtrak officials have reported record setting numbers with ridership in May increasing 12-point-three percent from the same time last year and ticket sales are up 15-point-six percent ...Read & Hear More

Rising Gas Prices Mean More People Using Trains
(Undated) -- With gas and oil prices continuing their record-setting pace correspondent Taylor Millard reports many Americans have rediscovered the railroad. ...Read & Hear More

Discovery Of Remnants Of Washington Boyhood Home Draws Visitors
(Stafford, VA) -- Stafford County's newest tourist attraction is the recently excavated site of George Washington's boyhood home. Archaeologists announced Wednesday that after seven years of digging, they had dug up parts of the home's foundation andthousands of other artifacts ...Read More

FDA Ups Illness Total In Salmonella Outbreak
(Washington, DC) -- The government has increased the number of people infected with Salmonella Saintpaul to 943. The Food and Drug Administration says at least 130 people nationwide have been hospitalized from the illness, believed to have been caused by raw tomatoes and other food items associated with tomatoes ...Read More

Mississippi River Reopens To Water Traffic
(Chicago, IL) -- After a nearly month-long closure from severe floods, the Mississippi River has been reopened to water navigation. Water levels are dropping, but remain above flood stage following the worst flooding in the Midwest region in 15 years...Read More

South Koreans Protest Against Beef And Lee
(Seoul) -- About 50-thousand people protested in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday against a U.S. beef import deal and the policies of the country's new president. Polls show that most South Koreans oppose the deal President Lee Myung-bak struck in April to open the market to U ...Read More

Dozens Injured In Fireworks Mishap In Northern Iowa Town
(Charles City, IA) -- A Fourth of July fireworks display in a community that dubs itself "America's Hometown" ended with screams of terror Friday night as the grand finale took aim at Main Street. Charles City, Iowa Assistant Fire Chief Dave Boehmersays the contractor hired to conduct the city's annual fireworks display had just begun its grand finale when a mishap sent about a dozen banks of large fireworks into a crowd ...

Budweiser Signs New Deal With Cubs
(Chicago, IL) -- St. Louis based Anheuser-Busch has signed a new five year sponsorship deal with the Chicago Cubs that includes adding naming rights to the Batter's Eye Suite in center field. The beer maker will also hold onto the naming rights of the Bud Light Bleachers ...Read More

G8 Meeting Set For Japan Next Week
(Toyko, Japan) -- Soaring food and fuel prices along with global warming are just some of the issues leaders from the Group of Eight nations will discuss next week during their meeting in Japan. The G8 nations will be joined by the leaders of seven African countries along with China and India ...Read More

Obama Still Puzzled By Hoopla Over Iraq Remarks
(St. Louis, MO) -- Barack Obama says he is still puzzled about the reaction to his comments that he could "refine" his timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. Speaking with reporters on his campaign plane, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee said, quote, "I an absolutely committed to ending the war ...Read More

Durbin Blasts Senate Republicans For Filibusters
(Undated) -- Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin criticized Republicans today for blocking legislation by using filibusters. In the weekly Democratic radio address, Durbin said the Senate Republican leadership has already shattered the record for filibusters with six months to go in the current session ...Read More

President Delivers Fourth Of July Message
(Washington, DC) -- On this Fourth of July weekend, President Bush celebrated the meaning of the holiday in his weekly radio address. Yesterday, he attended a citizenship ceremony at the home of Thomas Jefferson ...Read More

Barbeque Tips For July 4th Weekend
(Undated) -- As a way to celebrate both the the July Fourth weekend and the summer season, many Americans are headed to the backyard and firing up the grill for barbeque. Author of "The Barbeque! Bible," Steven Raichlen says there are three key toolsfor prospectice barbeque chefs: long handled tongs, a stiff wire brush for cleaning the grill, and an instant thermometer to make sure the meat is perfectly cooked ...Read More

Dozens Injured In Fireworks Mishap In Northern Iowa Town
(Charles City, IA) -- A Fourth of July fireworks display in a community that dubs itself "America's Hometown" ended with screams of terror Friday night as the grand finale took aim at Main Street. Charles City, Iowa Assistant Fire Chief Dave Boehmersays the contractor hired to conduct the city's annual fireworks display had just begun its grand finale when a mishap sent about a dozen banks of large fireworks into a crowd ...

Barbeque Tips For July 4th Weekend
(Undated) -- As a way to celebrate both the the July Fourth weekend and the summer season, many Americans are headed to the backyard and firing up the grill for barbeque. Author of "The Barbeque! Bible," Steven Raichlen says there are three key toolsfor prospectice barbeque chefs: long handled tongs, a stiff wire brush for cleaning the grill, and an instant thermometer to make sure the meat is perfectly cooked ...Read More

Durbin Criticizes Republican Tactics In Radio Address
(Undated) -- Here is Illinois Senator Dick Durbin with the weekly Democratic radio address. ...Read & Hear More

President Bush Honors Significance Of Fourth Of July
(Washington, DC) -- Here is President Bush's weekly radio address for Saturday July 5, 2008. ...Read & Hear More

Durbin Blasts Senate Republicans For Filibusters
(Undated) -- During their weekly radio response Saturday, Democrats criticized Republicans for blocking legislation by using filibusters. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin said the Senate Republican leadership has already shattered the record for filibusters with six months to go in the current session ...Read More

Inspectors To Halt Import Of Some Food From Mexico
(Washington, DC) -- Health inspectors will halt the shipment of some food from Mexico to the U.S. beginning on Monday. CNN cites sources familiar with the salmonella poisoning probe as saying the inquiry, which initially focused solely on tomatoes, has expanded to include cilantro, jalapeno peppers, Serrano peppers, scallions and bulb onions ...Read More

Hundreds Of Firefighters Still Battling CA Fires
(Undated) -- Wildfires are still blazing throughout portions of California with hundreds of firefighters in place to contain the fires. Smoke masks have been issued to residents in the Goleta area near Santa Barbara ...Read More

Hitler's Head Torn Off From Wax Figure
(Berlin) -- It was opening day at Berlin's Madame Tussauds museum and one man decided to initiate a protest by ripping off the head of a wax figure of Adolf Hitler. Many critics say it is inappropriate to have the World War Two Nazi dictator, who ordered the elimination of Europe's Jews, in a museum with celebrities, pop stars, world statesmen and sporting heroes ...Read More

Congressman Hopeful Lady Liberty's Crown Will Reopen
(New York, NY) -- Since the 9-11 attacks, the Statue of Liberty's crown has remained closed, but that could change. The National Park Service has put out a request for an engineering study to see how the crown can be reopened safely ...Read More

Valverde Wins First Stage Of 95th Tour de France
(Brest, France) -- Spain's Alejandro Valverde won the first stage and the leader's yellow jersey at the 2008 Tour de France on Saturday. Valverde, who is among the top contenders, overtook Kim Kirchen down the stretch to finish one second ahead of the competition ...Read More

Apartment Fire Causes Millions In Damage In Toledo
(Toledo, OH) -- An estimated eleven-million-dollars in damage has been sustained in an early morning three-alarm fire at a South Toledo, Ohio, apartment complex. The blaze is thought to have been ignited by fireworks Friday night and has left 100 people in the complex homeless ...Read More

Schwarzenegger Updates Wildfire Situation In California
(Santa Barbara, CA) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says there is no more fire season in California, but that the state is now vulnerable to wildfires all year-long. The governor's comments were made in Santa Barbara Saturday as he updated the progress made in battling over 17-hundred wildfires statewide ...Read More

Dozens Injured In Fireworks Mishap In Northern Iowa Town
(Charles City, IA) -- A Fourth of July fireworks display in a community that dubs itself "America's Hometown" ended with screams of terror Friday night as the grand finale took aim at Main Street. Charles City, Iowa Assistant Fire Chief Dave Boehmersays the contractor hired to conduct the city's annual fireworks display had just begun its grand finale when a mishap sent about a dozen banks of large fireworks into a crowd ...

EU Official Likely To Meet With Iran Over Nuke Program
(Brussels) -- A European Union official is expressing his willingness to meet with the chief negotiator of Iran over the Islamist nation's nuclear program. The announcement from Javier Solana comes after Tehran replied to a package of incentives fromseveral nations to curb its nuclear program ...Read More

Alligator Found In Iowa Floodwaters
(Webster City, IA) -- Police in Iowa had to deal with a pet found