National News
The Hill - Pelosi seeks $50 billion stimulus
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s aiming for an economic stimulus package of around $50 billion to boost the sagging economy.
Politico - Treasury, top Dems rosy on mortgages
The Treasury Department and top Democrats took an upbeat tone after meetings Thursday to ease lawmakers’ concerns over an ambitious plan to boost investor confidence in the troubled mortgage finance giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Wall Street Journal - Export Boom Fuels Factory Town's Revival
MANITOWOC, Wis. -- This is a town manufacturing once deserted -- and is now reviving. On a blustery January afternoon in 2003, nearly 900 workers at the town's second-largest manufacturer, a cookware factory, switched off their machines and were told the company was moving operations to Mexico. Today, many of those workers are back at the same plant making pots and pans for new bosses.
LA Times - First Guantanamo war-crimes trial set to begin
A federal judge rejects defense appeals to postpone the proceedings -- slated to start Monday -- against Osama bin Laden's former driver, Salim Ahmed Hamdan.
LA Times - Energy bills fuel congressional strife
With an eye to the fall election, lawmakers introduce legislation delineating the parties' different approaches.
NY Times - Texas Turns Aside Pressure on Execution of 5 Mexicans
Despite pleas from the White House and the State Department, as well as an international court order to review their cases, Texas will execute five Mexicans on death row, a spokeswoman for the governor said Thursday. CQ - Democrats Pledge Full Defense Bill
House and Senate Democratic leaders said Thursday that despite the lack of floor action so far on any of the 12 annual appropriations bills, they still plan to pass the fiscal 2009 bill funding the Pentagon before the current fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
International News
Washington Post - Baghdad Embassy Has Its Hands Full With Hill Visitors
When it comes to hosting congressional delegations, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad likes to think of itself as the eHarmony of Iraq -- lawmakers outline what they're looking for, and officials try to set up the perfect date.
Washington Post - Report: U.S. Africa Aid Is Increasingly MilitaryU.S. aid to Africa is becoming increasingly militarized, resulting in skewed priorities and less attention to longer-term development projects that could lead to greater stability across the continent, according to a report released Thursday by the advocacy group Refugees International.
LA Times - Oil prices threaten Latin America's economic gains
About 26 million people in the region climbed out of poverty between 2002 and 2006, but now inflation is bringing inflation and misery.
LA Times - Cubans heading to U.S. -- via Mexico
A crackdown on smugglers bringing migrants to Florida shores has caused a shift westward of the illegal traffic.
NY Times - Electrical Risks at Iraq Bases Are Worse Than Said
Shoddy electrical work by private contractors on United States military bases in Iraq is widespread and dangerous, causing more deaths and injuries from fires and shocks than the Pentagon has acknowledged, according to internal Army documents.
NY Times - Talks Signal Mideast Shift
BEIRUT, Lebanon — After years of escalating tensions and bloodshed, the talk in the Middle East is suddenly about talking. The shift is still relatively subtle, but hints of a new approach in the waning months of the Bush administration are fueling hopes of at least short-term stability for the first time since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
State News
LA Times - State legislators consider increasing income taxes on the wealthy
California's tax rate is the nation's highest, but budget woes are prompting proposals to raise it further. Tax foes say it could backfire by driving businesses and top earners out of the state.
LA Times - Legislature considers raiding voter-approved funds
Money earmarked for transportation and government services would help close massive budget shortfall. Schwarzenegger says it isn't a good idea but doesn't rule out signing off on it.
North County Times - ACLU says city policy violates free speech rightsCiting concerns about free speech rights, the American Civil Liberties Union is pressuring Escondido city officials to end a longtime policy of forcing political and religious groups to pay higher fees for city meeting rooms than other organizations.
San Diego Union Tribune - City agency under state review
State regulators have opened a review of the Southeastern Economic Development Corp., the nonprofit arm of City Hall in charge of redeveloping the southeast corner of San Diego.
San Diego Union Tribune - Critics say Barona grants are misused
Several lawmakers have been criticized for directing behested payments to nonprofit groups that promote the lawmaker.
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