US News - News February 17, 2011

Hawaii eyes gay ceremonies after civil unions pass (Boston)
For years, the Rev. Fay Hovey has held romantic ceremonies on the sand for gay partners who want to pledge their love in Hawaii.

Sarah Palin Speaking Before Long Island Association Luncheon (WFAN-AM Astoria)
Sarah Palin, perhaps the most polarizing figure in American politics today, will be neglecting her usual methods of communicating like Twitter and Facebook and instead face direct questions in front of the media during a lunch on Long Island.

Wis. Senate to vote on anti-union bill (WLFI-TV West Lafayette)
Wisconsin lawmakers are prepared to pass a momentous bill that would strip government workers of nearly all collective bargaining rights over the loud objections of thousands of teachers, students and prison guards who packed the Capitol for two days of protests.

Tea party out to defeat 3 longtime GOP senators (Times Leader)
What does a longtime Republican senator with a national reputation for working well with Democrats do in the face of a potentially career-ending tea party challenge? FILE - In this Oct.

Democrats turn 'Where are the jobs?' chant on GOP (Kansas City Star)
Republicans won sweeping victories last November by taunting Democrats with "Where are the jobs?" Democrats are now throwing those taunts back, saying it's Republicans who will knock thousands of Americans out of work with their demands for deep cuts in federal spending.The attacks have caught Republicans at an awkward moment, as they shift their ...

Obama: Talks On Entitlements 'Have Begun' (WNEM-TV Saginaw)
President Barack Obama said Wednesday that difficult debates on how to address the costs of Social Security and Medicare are "starting now," even though his 2012 budget blueprint lacked any major changes to the large benefit programs.

It's over, as IBM's Watson beats up on the all-time Jeopardy champions (examiner)
Colossus (from the film "Colossus: The Forbin Project") and Skynet (from "Terminator") would be proud. IBM's Watson bested its human competition on Jeopardy easily, as it won the second game of the two game, three day event, adding to its total from its earlier game one win to take home the grand prize of $1 million.

CIA: If Caught, Bin Laden Would Be Sent To Gitmo (KFOXTV)
What would the government do if Osama bin Laden, an FBI most-wanted terrorist for more than a decade, were captured? Washington is abuzz about questions whether bin Laden would ever see the inside of an American courtroom or where he might be imprisoned if he doesn't stand trial.

Lee Yarbrough, left, and his partner Dan Abrahamsson, right, both of... (WLUK-TV Green Bay)
The Hawaii Legislature approved a bill on Wednesday allowing civil unions for same-sex couples, sending the measure to the state's Democratic governor, who has said he will sign it into law.

California court to rule on Proposition 8 'standing' issue (Deseret Morning News)
The California Supreme Court will decide whether state law allows supporters of Proposition 8, a ballot measure voters approved that bars gay marriage, to defend the constitutionality of the measure in a U.S. appeals court.

Steve Jobs with weeks to live? Two reports confirm undergoing cancer treatment (examiner)
The visionary behind Apple's resurgence may have only weeks to live. On Wednesday, Feb. 16, Radar Online reported that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is receiving cancer treatment at the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto, California, while the National Enquirer is reporting that Jobs has only weeks to live.

Sen. Brown Reveals He Was Sexually Abused as Child (KOLO-TV Reno)
Sen. Scott Brown has revealed he was sexually abused as a child several times by a camp counselor and has detailed physical abuse by a stepfather.

House Votes BLM Budget Cut Over Wild Horse Dispute (KOLO-TV Reno)
The U.S. House has approved an amendment on a voice vote that would cut $2 million from the Bureau of Land Management's budget in protest over the agency's wild horse roundups.

House votes to kill expensive jet fighter engine (KAUZ)
President Barack Obama won a showdown vote Wednesday in the GOP-controlled House to kill a costly alternative engine for the Pentagon's next-generation fighter jet.

Israel claims Iran warships to transit Suez Canal (KansasCity)
Israel's foreign minister claimed Wednesday that Iran is about to send two warships through the Suez Canal for the first time in years, calling it a "provocation," but he offered no evidence.

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