Author: Mike Baker
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Boeing may move 777X out of Washington state
SEATTLE — Boeing’s history in the Pacific Northwest dates back more than a century, when William Boeing purchased a Seattle shipyard that would become his first airplane factory. In recent years, however, those ties have been fraying, first with the company shifting its headquarters to Chicago, then with the development of a new production line…
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Police pleaded for ambulances after theater shooting
DENVER — As the horror unfolded for police first on the scene of the Colorado theater massacre, the officers repeatedly sent out urgent pleas for more ambulances even as a two-man crew and their rig were idling just a few miles away. Radio traffic from last Friday’s shooting in Aurora, Colo., showed emergency personnel struggling…
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AP IMPACT: US fails to tackle student visa abuses
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Lured by unsupervised, third-party brokers with promises of steady jobs and a chance to sightsee, some foreign college students on summer work programs in the U.S. get a far different taste of life in America. An Associated Press investigation found students forced to work in strip clubs instead of restaurants. Others…
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Charges eyed for ex-Blackwater boss
WASHINGTON — U.S. government prosecutors are considering weapons charges against former executives at Blackwater Worldwide over allegations the private security company illegally stockpiled automatic rifles at its headquarters, The Associated Press has learned. Senior Justice Department officials are reviewing a draft indictment against former president Gary Jackson, former Blackwater general counsel Andrew Howell, and…
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Ex-Blackwater contractors had checkered military pasts
RALEIGH, North Carolina — A pair of former Blackwater contractors charged with murdering two people in Afghanistan had checkered pasts with the military before getting hired to work overseas, according to service records disclosed in recent U.S. court hearings. The troubled backgrounds of the two men — including instances of violence, drug use and…
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Lawyer headed to meet Army base shooting suspect
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save KILLEEN, Texas — A lawyer for the Army psychiatrist accused in a deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, said Monday he asked investigators not to question his client and expressed doubt that the suspect…
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Inquiry: Were Edwards’ campaign funds given to girlfriend?
RALEIGH, N.C. – Failed presidential candidate John Edwards, whose political action committee paid more than $100,000 to his mistress’ company, acknowledged Sunday that federal investigators were looking into how he handled his campaign funds.But the former North Carolina senator said he was confident no money was used improperly.Edwards’ political action committee has been under scrutiny…
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This little piggy went to apprehensive market
DES MOINES, Iowa • Like the virus itself, the name “swine flu” is spreading quickly. For the pork purveyors and hog farmers who make up the nation’s $15 billion pork industry, that’s a disaster. It doesn’t seem to matter that the strain may not come entirely from pigs and cannot be spread by eating pork.…
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Michelle Obama: Don’t vote because ‘she’s cute’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Michelle Obama asked voters today to make their choice on the issues, not because, “I like that guy” or, “she’s cute.”Might she be talking about Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin?”I’m talking about me,” she said with a smile.Barack Obama’s wife, however, is not on the ticket in the presidential election. Palin…