National News
CQ - Senate Vote Clears Housing Bill for Bush’s Signature
The Senate sent to President Bush’s desk a landmark housing bill intended to stabilize financial markets and the battered housing sector.
Roll Call - Gasoline Prices Energize GOP
High gas prices might be decimating the economy, but they are proving to be just the tonic for House Republicans.
Wall Street Journal - Funds for Highways Plummet As Drivers Cut Gasoline Use
An unprecedented cutback in driving is slashing the funds available to rebuild the nation's aging highway system and expand mass-transit options, underscoring the economic impact of high gasoline prices. The resulting financial strain is touching off a political battle over government priorities in a new era of expensive oil.
International Herald Tribune - U.S. deficit to hit record level of $490 billion
A senior administration official said Monday the federal budget deficit for this year will set a record high approaching $490 billion.
NY Times - Fuel Subsidies Overseas Take a Toll on U.S.
From Mexico to India to China, governments fearful of inflation and street protests are heavily subsidizing energy prices, particularly for diesel fuel. But the subsidies — estimated at $40 billion this year in China alone — are also removing much of the incentive to conserve fuel.
Senate's 'Dr. No' Spurs Showdown Over SpendingInstead of a keepsake photo of a political hero or his family, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) has a large framed picture next to his desk that serves as a constant reminder of his political ideology. Inside the black frame and matting is a single word, in large white letters: "No."
LA Times - Sweeping housing relief bill sent to Bush after approval by Senate
Attuned to a jittery public, the Senate in a rare weekend session votes 72-13 to help stall foreclosures and bolster Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Critics call it a potentially costly bailout.
LA Times - Tax rebate checks are swallowed by economic malaise
Consumers across the country say they have used their stimulus checks to pay bills and to stay afloat. The money has done little to boost their confidence in the economy.
International News
LA Times - U.S. war on terrorism loses ground in Pakistan
The Bush administration may leave the region the same way it found it, with Al Qaeda entrenched and U.S. intelligence officials frustrated.
Washington Post - Zimbabwe Plans Changes to Currency
Reserve Bank Chief to Remove 'More Zeros,' Raise Cap on Cash Withdrawals
NY Times - U.S. Military Says Soldiers Fired on Civilians The American military admitted Sunday night that a platoon of soldiers raked a car of innocent Iraqi civilians with hundreds of rounds of gunfire and that the military then issued a news release larded with misstatements, asserting that the victims were criminals who had fired on the troops.
NY Times - Terrorist Attacks Unsettling India
Over the past several years, terrorist attacks in India have become an everyday presence in everyday places. The targets seem to have nothing in common except that they are ordinary and brazenly easy to strike.
State News
San Diego Union Tribune - Volunteer crews feel slighted by Cal Fire
There is friction in firehouses growing out of a decision by Cal Fire not to activate hundreds of Southern California volunteers who were eager to reinforce strained state and federal crews battling the recent siege of wildfires in the northern half of the state.
San Francisco Chronicle - Poll finds favor if Feinstein ran for governor
State Attorney General Jerry Brown leads San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other Democrats making noises about running for governor in 2010 - but if Sen. Dianne Feinstein were to jump into the pool, she would swamp them all, a new poll shows.
San Francisco Chronicle - Out-of-state money floods to Prop. 8
When Bruce Bastian of Utah stood up Saturday night at a San Francisco dinner and wrote a $1 million check for the campaign against Proposition 8, he made it clearer than ever that November's ballot fight over a ban on same-sex marriage won't be a California-only affair.
Sacramento Bee - Guard recruiters investigated
Dozens of California National Guard recruiters and support staffers were punished or remain under investigation for a variety of offenses that include forging criminal and other enlistment records, The Sacramento Bee has learned.
San Diego Union Tribune - Banks see spike in stick-ups
'Bad economy' among factors cited to explain rise in heists in county
North County Times - Most North County mayors lukewarm on fire tax
Some mayors say they don't know enough about a proposed countywide property tax, that would pay for more firefighting resources, for them to decide if they could support a possible public vote in November.
Riverside Press Enterprise - Flood-control project in line for federal funds, Temecula official says
A flood-control project on Murrieta Creek could be in line for a major influx of dollars from the federal government, according to Temecula Mayor Pro Tem Maryann Edwards.
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