http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/-t1.htm USA News. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:05:51 GMT 10 http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/11/65/21/31/banner10.jpg http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/-t1.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/madoff-gets-maximum-150-years-in-prison-t18878.htm Outspoken Madoff gets maximum 150 years in prison The judge rejects a request by Madoff's lawyer for leniency and says he disagrees that victims of the fraud were seeking mob vengeance. By TOM HAYS and LARRY NEUMEISTER The Associated Press NEW YORK -- Convicted swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison today for fraud so extensive that the judge said he needed to send a symbolic message to those who might imitate his fraud and to victims who need relief. Applause broke ... National News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:05:51 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/madoff-gets-maximum-150-years-in-prison-t18878.htm#22195 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/madoff-gets-maximum-150-years-in-prison-t18878.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/ntsb-train-in-crash-should-have-been-replaced-t18818.htm Outspoken NTSB: Train in crash should have been replaced The Metrorail system kept the old trains running despite warnings in 2006, Metro officials said two men and seven women, all adults, were killed in the worst accident in the system's 33-year history. By BRIAN WITTE The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Crews dismantled the wreckage today from a subway train collision that killed nine people and injured scores of others in the nation's capital, and a federal investigator revealed an old train ... National News Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:51:33 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/ntsb-train-in-crash-should-have-been-replaced-t18818.htm#22127 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/ntsb-train-in-crash-should-have-been-replaced-t18818.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/fda-getting-power-to-regulate-tobacco-t18734.htm Outspoken FDA getting power to regulate tobacco Congress is about to pass a landmark bill giving the agency control over a product that kills 400,000 Americans each year. By JANET HOOK Los Angeles Times WASHINGTON — Capping a half-century battle with the tobacco industry, the Senate overwhelmingly approved landmark legislation Thursday that would for the first time give the government far-reaching power to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products. The ... National News Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:55:23 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/fda-getting-power-to-regulate-tobacco-t18734.htm#22030 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/fda-getting-power-to-regulate-tobacco-t18734.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/holocaust-museum-guard-shot-killed-t18723.htm Outspoken Holocaust museum guard shot, killed The gunman, an 88-year-old white supremacist, is hospitalized after being shot by other guards. By NAFEESA SYEED and DAVID ESPO The Associated Press WASHINGTON — An 88-year-old gunman with a violent and virulently anti-Semitic past opened fire with a rifle inside the crowded U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Wednesday, fatally wounding a security guard before being shot himself by other officers, authorities said. The assailant was hospitalized ... National News Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:51:37 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/holocaust-museum-guard-shot-killed-t18723.htm#22017 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/holocaust-museum-guard-shot-killed-t18723.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/new-hampshire-legalizes-gay-marriage-t18678.htm Outspoken New Hampshire legalizes gay marriage Gov. John Lynch - who opposes same-sex unions - signs the bill after lawmakers agree to religious exemptions. By NORMA LOVE The Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage after the Senate and House passed key language on religious rights and Gov. John Lynch signed the legislation Wednesday afternoon. After rallies outside the Statehouse by both sides of the debate in the morning, the last ... National News Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:40:10 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/new-hampshire-legalizes-gay-marriage-t18678.htm#21963 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/new-hampshire-legalizes-gay-marriage-t18678.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-calls-for-new-beginning-between-us-muslims-t18676.htm Outspoken Obama calls for new beginning between U.S., Muslims Pres. Obama speaks after meeting privately with Egyptian Pres. Hosni Mubarak. By MARK S. SMITH Associated Press Writer CAIRO — Quoting from the Quran for emphasis, President Barack Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims" Thursday and said together, they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East. "This cycle ... National News Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:27:49 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-calls-for-new-beginning-between-us-muslims-t18676.htm#21961 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-calls-for-new-beginning-between-us-muslims-t18676.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/sotomayor-makes-senate-rounds-t18668.htm Outspoken Sotomayor makes Senate rounds The high court nominee tells senators from both parties that law – not her background – will dictate her rulings. The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Judge Sonia Sotomayor on Tuesday countered charges that she would let her background dictate her rulings on the Supreme Court, and President Obama's nominee generally received high marks from senators. As Sotomayor made her Senate debut with a series of private meetings, Republicans said they would prefer ... National News Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:54:19 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/sotomayor-makes-senate-rounds-t18668.htm#21952 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/sotomayor-makes-senate-rounds-t18668.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-nominates-federal-judge-to-high-court-t18618.htm Outspoken Obama nominates federal judge to high court Sonia Sotomayor is an activist, conservatives say; legal experts compare her narrowly written opinions to David Souter's. From wire service The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Reaching for history, President Obama on Tuesday chose federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court, championing her as a compassionate, seasoned jurist whose against-the-odds life journey affirms the American dream. Obama, ... National News Thu, 28 May 2009 02:30:42 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-nominates-federal-judge-to-high-court-t18618.htm#21895 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-nominates-federal-judge-to-high-court-t18618.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-holds-off-on-gay-marriage-legislation-t18597.htm Outspoken N.H. holds off on gay marriage legislation Gov. Lynch wants some changes before he'll sign, but a close House vote means more negotiations. By NORMA LOVE Associated Press Writer CONCORD, N.H. — Gay marriage is on hold in New Hampshire. Gov. John Lynch demanded changes to legislation that would have made the state the sixth to allow gay marriage before he would sign it, but those changes failed by two votes in the House on Wednesday. The House defeated an attempt to kill ... National News Fri, 22 May 2009 00:33:25 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-holds-off-on-gay-marriage-legislation-t18597.htm#21870 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-holds-off-on-gay-marriage-legislation-t18597.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-sees-plan-to-close-guantanamo-prison-falter-t18593.htm Outspoken Obama sees plan to close Guantanamo prison falter The Senate's resounding vote shows strong opposition to relocating detainees in the U.S. By DAVID ESPO The Associated Press WASHINGTON — It was the first big defeat for President Obama, and it was both bipartisan and overwhelming. The Senate voted 90-6 on Wednesday to keep the prison at Guantanamo Bay open for the foreseeable future and forbid the transfer of any detainees to facilities in the United States. Democrats lined ... National News Fri, 22 May 2009 00:09:12 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-sees-plan-to-close-guantanamo-prison-falter-t18593.htm#21865 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-sees-plan-to-close-guantanamo-prison-falter-t18593.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-poised-to-approve-gay-marriages-t18568.htm Outspoken N.H. poised to approve gay marriages New Hampshire would be the fifth New England state to allow same-sex couples to marry. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CONCORD, N.H. — On March 26, New Hampshire's House defeated a bill legalizing gay marriage by one vote, then reconsidered and passed it, to the surprise of many. Two months and many rounds of intensive lobbying later, New Hampshire is poised to become the sixth state to let same-sex couples marry. Gov. John Lynch said Thursday that ... National News Tue, 19 May 2009 02:40:03 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-poised-to-approve-gay-marriages-t18568.htm#21837 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-poised-to-approve-gay-marriages-t18568.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/pingree-clear-exit-strategy-needed-t18561.htm Outspoken Pingree: Clear exit strategy needed BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel MANCHESTER -- U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said Saturday she voted against a war-spending bill last week because she wanted to send a message to President Barack Obama. Pingree, D-1st District, and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-2nd District, voted against a $96.7 billion war-appropriations bill that includes money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill passed the House 368-60, with 51 Democrats ... National News Tue, 19 May 2009 01:18:25 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/pingree-clear-exit-strategy-needed-t18561.htm#21829 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/pingree-clear-exit-strategy-needed-t18561.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nyc-closes-three-schools-as-swine-flu-flares-up-in-city-t18556.htm Outspoken NYC closes three schools as swine flu flares up in city An assistant principal and four students at a Queens middle school have cases that have been confirmed. The Associated Press NEW YORK — New York City has closed three schools in response to a swine flu outbreak that has left an assistant principal in critical condition and sent hundreds of kids home with flu symptoms, in a flare-up of the virus that sent shock waves through the world last month. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said ... National News Sat, 16 May 2009 01:00:21 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nyc-closes-three-schools-as-swine-flu-flares-up-in-city-t18556.htm#21821 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nyc-closes-three-schools-as-swine-flu-flares-up-in-city-t18556.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-governor-says-he-ll-sign-bill-to-legalize-gay-marriage-t18550.htm Outspoken N.H. governor says he'll sign bill to legalize gay marriage Gov. John Lynch first wants lawmakers to make some changes. They say they see no problem. The Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. — Gov. John Lynch said Thursday that he will sign a bill to make his state the sixth to legalize gay marriage as soon as the Legislature makes some changes, which legislative leaders immediately said they would back. Lynch asked that the already-approved legislation be revised to better protect ... National News Sat, 16 May 2009 00:37:41 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-governor-says-he-ll-sign-bill-to-legalize-gay-marriage-t18550.htm#21815 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/nh-governor-says-he-ll-sign-bill-to-legalize-gay-marriage-t18550.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/cheney-chastises-powell-on-loyalty-to-gop-t18510.htm Outspoken Cheney chastises Powell on loyalty to GOP He says he'd prefer that Rush Limbaugh help shape the party's future. By MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Dick Cheney made clear Sunday that he'd rather follow firebrand broadcaster Rush Limbaugh than former Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell into political battle over the future of the Republican Party. Even as the former vice president embraced efforts to expand the party by ex-Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida and Mitt ... National News Tue, 12 May 2009 00:33:53 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/cheney-chastises-powell-on-loyalty-to-gop-t18510.htm#21771 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/cheney-chastises-powell-on-loyalty-to-gop-t18510.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/job-losses-ease-in-april-seen-as-sign-of-positive-trend-t18487.htm Outspoken Job losses ease in April, seen as sign of positive trend The statistics weren't as bad as expected, but the employment picture is still gloomy, analysts say. By KEVIN G. HALL McClatchy Newspapers WASHINGTON — Friday's better-than-expected employment report from the Labor Department gave another sign that the U.S. economy might be bottoming out, but the jump in the unemployment rate is a reminder for millions of Americans that the jobs outlook will remain bleak for some time. The ... National News Sat, 09 May 2009 16:40:16 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/job-losses-ease-in-april-seen-as-sign-of-positive-trend-t18487.htm#21743 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/job-losses-ease-in-april-seen-as-sign-of-positive-trend-t18487.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/senators-still-wield-clout-as-moderates-t18421.htm Outspoken Senators still wield clout as moderates After Specter's party switch, Snowe and Collins are the only GOP centrists in the Senate. By DIETER BRADBURY Political Correspondent Portland Press Herald When Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter defected to the Democratic Party last week, few could have felt more abandoned than Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. As virtually the only Republican moderates in the Senate, the three crossed the aisle to give President Obama and the Democrats ... National News Mon, 04 May 2009 01:07:16 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/senators-still-wield-clout-as-moderates-t18421.htm#21670 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/senators-still-wield-clout-as-moderates-t18421.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-considers-souter-s-successor-t18408.htm Outspoken Obama considers Souter's successor The liberal Supreme Court justice is retiring, and his replacement could be a Hispanic, a female or both. By MARK SHERMAN and BEN FELLER The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Obama pledged Friday to nominate a Supreme Court justice who combines "empathy and understanding" with an impeccable legal background to succeed liberal David Souter, whose abrupt retirement announcement set off speculation that the next justice could be a woman, ... National News Sat, 02 May 2009 15:26:52 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-considers-souter-s-successor-t18408.htm#21654 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/obama-considers-souter-s-successor-t18408.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/maine-plane-strays-into-restricted-air-space-near-capitol-t18351.htm Outspoken Maine plane strays into restricted air space near Capitol F-16 fighter jets and Coast Guard helicopters escort the single-engine plane to a Maryland airport. The Associated Press WASHINGTON — A small single-engine plane that started its trip in Maine strayed into restricted air space near the U.S. Capitol on Friday, forcing anxious officials to place the White House in temporary lockdown and take steps to evacuate the U.S. Capitol. The episode was over within minutes as two F-16 ... National News Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:08:03 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/maine-plane-strays-into-restricted-air-space-near-capitol-t18351.htm#21587 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/maine-plane-strays-into-restricted-air-space-near-capitol-t18351.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/delegation-divided-over-how-to-handle-cia-interrogations-t18336.htm Outspoken Delegation divided over how to handle CIA interrogations A key question is whether to launch a new inquiry now or wait for others to conclude. By DIETER BRADBURY Political Correspondent Portland Press Herald Maine's congressional delegation divided along partisan lines Thursday on whether Congress should launch a new inquiry into the CIA's use of waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques during the Bush administration. Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia ... National News Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:42:24 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/delegation-divided-over-how-to-handle-cia-interrogations-t18336.htm#21570 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/delegation-divided-over-how-to-handle-cia-interrogations-t18336.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/defense-requests-kindle-spending-debate-t18312.htm Outspoken Defense requests kindle spending debate Earmarks help firms that offer good jobs, some say; others claim the proposals are pork-barrel projects. By DIETER BRADBURY Political Correspondent Portland Press Herald At an Army testing ground in New Jersey last week, researchers were showing off a new unmanned ground vehicle that began life in a garage in York County. Invented by brothers Mike and Geoff Howe, who are from Lebanon, the tank-like Ripsaw can be equipped with sensory ... National News Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:20:46 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/defense-requests-kindle-spending-debate-t18312.htm#21540 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/defense-requests-kindle-spending-debate-t18312.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/stocks-go-lower-on-renewed-bank-fears-t18310.htm Outspoken Stocks go lower on renewed bank fears The Dow loses 290 points as Wall Street worries about results of stress tests on big banks. By MARTIN CRUTSINGER The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Anxiety is growing again over the health of the nation's largest banks, and with Congress hesitant to commit more money, the Obama administration is exploring ways to strengthen them in the face of an unrelenting recession. Results of the federal government's "stress tests" on big banks ... National News Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:13:08 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/stocks-go-lower-on-renewed-bank-fears-t18310.htm#21538 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/stocks-go-lower-on-renewed-bank-fears-t18310.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/massacre-survivors-continue-to-strive-t18296.htm Outspoken Massacre survivors continue to strive One, the 'boy in the window,' says Columbine should be another word for 'hope and courage.' By SANDY SHORE The Associated Press LITTLETON, Colo. — The "boy in the window" – who fell bloodied and paralyzed into the arms of rescuers during the horrifying Columbine High School shooting rampage – is doing just fine. Now 27, Patrick Ireland has regained mobility with few lingering effects from gunshot wounds to his head and leg a decade ... National News Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:14:35 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/massacre-survivors-continue-to-strive-t18296.htm#21522 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/massacre-survivors-continue-to-strive-t18296.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/rescued-captain-reunites-with-family-t18271.htm Outspoken Rescued captain reunites with family Back home in Vermont, Richard Phillips sings the praises of the Navy and his Maersk Alabama crew. By JOHN CURRAN The Associated Press UNDERHILL, Vt. — The unassuming ship captain who survived the clutches of Somali pirates said upon his triumphant arrival home Friday that he was just an ordinary seaman doing his job, and he praised the Navy for its daring rescue mission. "They're the superheroes," Richard Phillips said. "They're ... National News Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:40:09 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/rescued-captain-reunites-with-family-t18271.htm#21491 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/rescued-captain-reunites-with-family-t18271.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/epa-move-to-regulate-greenhouse-gases-applauded-t18270.htm Outspoken EPA move to regulate greenhouse gases applauded The action, hailed as 'historic' in Maine, would require power plants and automakers to cut pollution, and could spur Congress to act. By H. JOSEF HEBERT The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The EPA on Friday declared that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases produced by cars and many industrial plants "endanger public health and welfare," setting the stage for regulating them under federal clean-air laws. The ... National News Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:34:30 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/epa-move-to-regulate-greenhouse-gases-applauded-t18270.htm#21490 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/national-news-f5/epa-move-to-regulate-greenhouse-gases-applauded-t18270.htm