Stakes are high in Maine's vote on gay marriage
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Bolstered by out-of-state money and volunteers, both sides jockeyed Monday to boost turnout for a Maine referendum that could give gay-rights activists in the U.S. their first victory at the ballot box on the deeply divisive issue of same-sex marriage. The state's voters will decide Tuesday whether to repeal a law that would allow gay marriage. The law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci last May but has never taken effect.
Report: Problems continued at Ill. VA hospital
CHICAGO (AP) - Serious safety issues continued to plague a southern Illinois Veterans Affairs hospital even after major surgeries were suspended two years ago because of a spike in patient deaths, according to a federal report released Monday. Surgeons at the VA medical center in Marion, Ill., performed procedures without proper authorization, patient deaths were not assessed adequately and miscommunication between staff members persisted, the Veterans Affairs Department's inspector general said in the report, which covers the fiscal year that recently ended.
82 healthy sea turtles hatch at San Diego SeaWorld
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The population of endangered green sea turtles at SeaWorld in San Diego grew by 82 in October when the eggs hatched on Shipwreck Beach without human help. There hasn't been such happy turtle news at SeaWorld since 2003, when 21 sea turtles got an assist from park staff, said Tim Downing, assistant curator of fishes.
Oral arguments scheduled in Polanski's CA appeal
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A California appeals court will listen to oral arguments from Roman Polanski's attorneys about why it should require a lower court to decide whether to dismiss charges against the fugitive director, whether he is present or not. Polanski in July appealed a Los Angeles Superior Court judge's decision not to dismiss the criminal case because the director didn't appear for a hearing. The California Second District Court of Appeal on Monday set oral arguments for Dec. 10.
Woman hit with car by Iraqi father in Ariz. dies
PHOENIX (AP) - A young Iraqi woman whose father allegedly hit her with his car because she had become too Westernized died from her injuries Monday after laying in a coma for nearly two weeks. Noor Faleh Almaleki, 20, underwent spinal surgery and had been in a hospital since Oct. 20, when police say her father ran down her and her boyfriend's mother with his Jeep as the women were walking across a parking lot in the west Phoenix suburb of Peoria.
Soldier arrested over explosives in Tenn. field
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - An Army Special Forces soldier was arrested Monday after a pair of hunters found about 100 pounds of explosives outside his home near Fort Campbell. Timothy Ryan Richards was charged with possessing two unregistered guns, and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Eric Kehn (KEEN) said he expects Richards will face more charges related to the explosives.
EBay removes anti-abortion memorabilia from site
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Online auction house eBay has removed items that were posted for sale by anti-abortion activists trying to raise money for defense of a man accused of killing a Kansas abortion provider, the company said Monday. Supporters of Scott Roeder - one in Kansas City, Mo. and the other in Des Moines, Iowa - posted various items late Sunday in separate eBay auctions including an Army of God manual, an underground publication for anti-abortion militants that describes ways to shut down clinics.
Election complaint filed against ex-wrestling exec
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The head of the Connecticut Democrats has filed an elections complaint against Republican Linda McMahon and her family's wrestling empire, claiming the company illegally helped her U.S. Senate campaign by removing potentially embarrassing videos from a Web site. Nancy DiNardo says World Wrestling Entertainment removed several videos on the YouTube site showing wrestlers engaging in simulated rape and other offensive acts, while leaving up thousands of less explicit ones.
Attorney: Tenn. kidnapping suspect tried suicide
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The attorney for a woman charged with kidnapping a Tennessee newborn says his client has tried to kill herself while in jail. Attorney Isaiah Gant asked a federal judge Monday to investigate Tammy Renee Silas' claims that medication is being witheld from her at the Robertson County Jail and to consider moving her to another facility.
Man charged with stalking Ryan Seacrest
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Prosecutors brought felony charges Monday against an Army reservist who allegedly stalked Ryan Seacrest, including showing up at the "American Idol" host's studio and attacking one of his bodyguards. Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr., 25, faces up to four years in prison if convicted of the stalking charge.
