Ambulances charging extra for obese patients

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The memory still bothers Ken Keller: A panicked ambulance crew had a critically ill patient, but the man weighed more than 1,000 pounds and could not fit inside the vehicle. And the stretcher wasn't sturdy enough to hold him.

The crew offered an idea to Keller, who was then an investigator with the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services. Could they use a forklift to load the man — bed and all — onto a flatbed truck? Keller agreed: There was no other choice.

Lutefisk and loot: Tax records open in Norway

OSLO (AP) — It's the moment nosy Norwegian neighbors have been waiting for — the release of official records showing the annual income and overall wealth of nearly every taxpayer in the Scandinavian country.

In a move that would be unthinkable elsewhere, tax authorities in Norway have issued the "skatteliste," or "tax list," for 2008 to the media under a law designed to uphold the country's tradition of transparency.

Update: Warming continues to affect far north

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Global warming is messing with the planet's thermostat.

That warning came Thursday from Richard Spinrad, head of research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in releasing the annual update of science's Arctic report card.

Warming temperatures continue in the polar north, changing wind patterns, melting sea ice and glaciers and affecting ocean and land life, the report said.

Sheriff in Colorado balloon chase answers critics

 

DENVER (AP) — Spectators watching the alleged balloon boy hoax unfold on live TV suggested paragliders, skydivers, fishing hooks and more to bring down the flying saucer-shaped craft thought to be carrying a 6-year-old boy.

Since the boy, Falcon Heene, was found at home and investigators declared the whole saga a hoax by the boy's parents, the e-mails flooding Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden's e-mail inbox have turned to criticism of his actions in the case.

Poll: U.S. belief in global warming is cooling

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans seem to be cooling toward global warming.

Just 57 percent think there is solid evidence the world is getting warmer, down 20 points in just three years, a new poll says. And the share of people who believe pollution caused by humans is causing temperatures to rise has also taken a dip, even as the U.S. and world forums gear up for possible action against climate change.

AP Newsbreak: 1st sweat lodge survivor speaks out

 

 

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A woman who took part in an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony tells The Associated Press that the spiritual guru who led the event pushed participants too far in what was supposed to be a life-expanding experience that culminated with people vomiting and passing out on the floor.

Firms resist new health care rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite promises by President Barack Obama, more than 70 million Americans who have health insurance through their jobs could be open to higher costs or denials of some coverage under a leading overhaul plan making its way through Congress.

Taser tells police to avoid shooting at chest

 

 

PHOENIX (AP) — Stun-gun maker Taser International has started telling police agencies to avoid firing the devices at suspects' chests, explaining that there's an "extremely low" risk of ill effects on the heart and that doing so will make defending lawsuits easier.

The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company made the recommendation in an Oct. 12 revised training manual, saying it "has less to do with safety and more to do with effective risk management for law enforcement agencies."

Navy's newest warships top out at more than 50 mph

BATH, Maine (AP) - The Navy's need for speed is being answered by a pair of warships that have reached freeway speeds during testing at sea.

Independence, a 418-foot warship built in Alabama, boasts a top speed in excess of 45 knots, or about 52 mph, and sustained 44 knots for four hours during builder trials that wrapped up this month off the Gulf Coast. The 378-foot Freedom, a ship built in Wisconsin by a competing defense contractor, has put up similar numbers.

Wrong leader

The teaser on Page C1 in Monday's regional edition was incorrect. It should have read that Florida leads Alabama in BCS standings.

Obama cites higher hope for Afghan democracy

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Tuesday applauded Afghan President Hamid Karzai for accepting election fraud findings that invalidated nearly a third of the votes cast for him in August.

Obama said the breakthrough offers new hope that a credible Kabul government will emerge to partner with the U.S. and NATO in battling a resurgent Taliban insurgency and blocking al-Qaida's return.

Karzai accepts runoff in Afghan election

KABUL (AP) - A grim President Hamid Karzai bowed to intense U.S. pressure and agreed Tuesday to a runoff election Nov. 7, acknowledging he fell short of a majority after U.N.-backed auditors stripped him of nearly a third of his votes.

With the fraud investigation completed, election officials must now scramble to organize a new ballot as the fierce Afghan winter approaches and the country faces a growing threat from Taliban insurgents.

Feds to issue new medical marijuana policy

WASHINGTON (AP) - Pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by the Justice Department.

Under the policy spelled out in a three-page legal memo, federal prosecutors are being told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.

House, Senate Dems at odds on health care overhaul

WASHINGTON (AP) — You may think Democrats and Republicans are at odds over health care. Well, they've got nothing on House and Senate Democrats going after each other.

The intraparty disputes may prove the most grueling test of all as Congress tries to write a bill that fulfills President Barack Obama's goal of extending coverage to millions of Americans and reining in rising medical costs.

A nurse's aide in U.S. to be crowned African king

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — An African man who worked for years as a nurse's aide in the United States, caring for the elderly and sick, is back in his homeland to be crowned king of his people in the mountains of western Uganda.

Charles Wesley Mumbere's coronation is scheduled Monday in the Kasese district. He will rule over Rwenzururu, a kingdom of about 300,000 people — roughly the size of Pittsburgh — that is now recognized by the national government.

Swine flu hits hard, early — claims 11 more children

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Swine flu is causing unprecedented illness for so early in the fall — including a worrisome count of child deaths — and the government warned Friday that vaccine supplies will be even more scarce than expected through this month.

Federal deficit hits all-time high $1.42 trillion

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal budget deficit has surged to an all-time high of $1.42 trillion as the recession caused tax revenues to plunge while the government was spending massive amounts to stabilize the financial system and jump-start the economy.

The imbalance for the budget year ended Sept. 30 more than tripled last year's record. The Obama administration projects deficits will total $9.1 trillion over the next decade unless corrective action is taken.

GOP head vows to be 'cow' in health care debate

AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Describing his current health care position, the national Republican Party chief has mooed like a cow before an audience in Ohio.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said at the University of Akron Thursday that the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress are trying to overhaul the U.S. health care system too quickly.

Steele vowed that he would be a "cow on the tracks" to stop the momentum until some of his party's cost concerns receive attention.

The GOP leader added: "Moo moo."

Boy said to have floated off in balloon found

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A 6-year-old Colorado boy feared to have floated off in a helium balloon has been found safe at his home, hiding in a cardboard box in the garage attic.

Sheriff Jim Alderman turned to reporters during a news conference and held thumbs up and said, "He's at the house." Alderden said an investigator on the scene saw the boy and he was fine.

He said the boy apparently has been in the attic the whole time.

Sen. Collins says she's open to health care overhaul but doesn't like current legislation

Oct 14, 2009 12:00 am

WASHINGTON (AP) - A second Republican senator signaled Wednesday she's open to voting for sweeping health care legislation this year, putting President Barack Obama closer to a historic achievement that has eluded generations of Democratic leaders.

But Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told The Associated Press that the bill approved Tuesday by the Finance Committee needs substantial improvements to make coverage more affordable, contain costs, and protect Medicare. Nevertheless, she joined her Maine GOP colleague Sen. Olympia Snowe in endorsing the goal of far-reaching changes.

Olympia Snowe says she will vote for the healthcare bill

Oct 13, 2009 1:10 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe broke with her party Tuesday and said she will vote for a Democratic health care bill, handing President Barack Obama a much-sought boost in his quest to expand access to medical coverage to all Americans.

The real female maverick in GOP: Olympia Snowe

Oct 13, 2009 12:00 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Forget Sarah Palin. The female maverick of the Republican Party is Sen. Olympia Snowe.

The 62-year-old, moderate Maine lawmaker voted on Tuesday for a Democratic health care bill, breaking with her party and giving a major boost to President Barack Obama's drive to expand coverage to millions of Americans.

"Is this bill all that I would want? Far from it," Snowe told her colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee. "But when history calls, history calls."

Nobel jury defends Obama decision

Oct 13, 2009 12:00 am

OSLO (AP) - Members of the Norwegian committee that gave Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize are strongly defending their choice against a storm of criticism that the award was premature and a potential liability for the U.S. president.

Asked to comment on the uproar following Friday's announcement, four members of the five-seat panel told The Associated Press that they had expected the decision to generate both surprise and criticism.

Obama: Snowe 'diligent' in her work on health care

Oct 13, 2009 12:00 am

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is praising Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe for being "extraordinarily diligent" in working with Democrats on health care reform.

Snowe says she will vote Tuesday for a Democratic health care bill. Passage of the Senate Finance Committee's bill is a foregone conclusion, but Snowe's bipartisan support is a significant boost for Obama's top legislative priority.

Pirates captured north of Madagascar

Oct 11, 2009 4:27 am

PARIS (AP) - French soldiers successfully defended two fishing boats from capture by pirates in the Indian Ocean, and 11 men suspected of involvement in the failed attack were pursued at sea and captured, officials said.

Saturday's chain of events illustrated the teamwork in the international community to crack down on piracy in the Indian Ocean, where pirates cruise the waters searching for boats to hijack for ransoms.

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