16 | THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM | NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
The tugboat Pioneer, left, Enterprise, right, and Kayvee, behind, race during the International Tugboat race in the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, on Saturday.
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Greensburg in need of city workers
GREENSBURG — Helping Greensburg rebuild from the devastating May 4 tornado that destroyed most of the town will require a big jump in city employees.
The town isn't having much luck filling 12 positions, including five just dealing with community development.
Among the city's biggest staffing needs is in the building codes and planning department. The department currently is being staffed with volunteers from the Heart of America Chapter of the International Code Council.
City Administrator Steve Hewitt said city leaders are grateful for the help, but they know it can't last forever and they're looking forward to bring in permanent replacements.
"We're no longer the small town
we used to be," Hewitt said. "In terms of building and inspection, I've heard speculation that we may issue as many building permits in the next year as Johnson County."
The need for full-time help is underscored by the sheer number of permits being issued as the town clears away the rubble and struggles to replace destroyed homes and businesses.
The city's new positions would be subsidized by the state until federal dollars become available. City officials said they plan to begin talking at local colleges and vocational schools about their openings, hoping to draw recent graduates and students who could work as interns and develop into full-time employees.
Associated Press
top headlines
Immigration bill set to return to Senate floor
WASHINGTON The Senate voted Tuesday to jump-start a stalled immigration measure to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants.
President Bush said the bill offered a "historic opportunity for Congress to act," and appeared optimistic about its passage by week's end.
Associated Press
The pivotal test-vote was 64-35 to revive the divisive legislation. It still faces formidable obstacles in the Senate, including bitter opposition by GOP conservatives and attempts by some waverers in both parties to revise its key elements.
Blair to become special envoy in Middle East
WASHINGTON. — Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be named on Wednesday as special envoy for the international diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East with a portfolio focused on Palestinian economic and political reform, a senior U.S. official said.
Members of the Quartet, the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia, will give their public blessing to the post and announce that Blair has agreed to take the job in simultaneous statements from Washington, New York, Brussels and Moscow, the official told The Associated Press.
The official, who insisted on anonymity because the statements are still being drafted, spoke after being briefed on a meeting of quartet representatives held earlier Tuesday in Jerusalem.
Three U.S. officials said Monday that discussions on naming Blair to the post had been completed and the issue was on the Quartet's Tuesday agenda.
Associated Press
Murdoch close to owning Wall Street Journal
NEW YORK Rupert Murdoch moved closer to his dream of owning Dow Jones & Co. Tuesday as an initial agreement was reached on measures to ensure the editorial independence of The Wall Street Journal, a person familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
It still wasn't clear whether the deal on the issue — a key sticking point in the talks over Murdoch's $5 billion offer
would pass the approval of Dow Jones'controlling shareholders, the Bancroft family, who initially rebuffed Murdoch's offer in early May.
Dow Jones and News Corp. didn't immediately respond to calls for comment.
Murdoch's media conglomerate News Corp. and Dow Jones' board have agreed in principle on ways to ensure the Journal's independence, with some items yet to be decided, according to a person speaking on condition that he not be named because the agreement was not yet public.
Associated Press
Pro wrestler involved in double murder suicide
Authorities also said they are investigating whether steroids may have been a factor in the deaths of Benoit, his wife and their 7-year-old son. Steroid abuse has been linked to depression, paranoia, and aggressive behavior or angry outbursts known as "roid rage."
ATLANTA — Pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his son before hanging himself in his weight room, a law enforcement official close to the investigation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
"We don't know yet. That's one of the things we'll be looking at," said Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard. He said test results may not be back for weeks.
Associated Press
Officials close to finding cause of forest fire
MEYERS, Calif. — A raging forest fire at the southern tip of Lake Tahoe had destroyed more than 275 buildings by Tuesday morning, but firefighters said they had slowed its advance and were close to pinpointing the cause.
The danger to homes diminished during the night after firefighters got a badly needed leg up on the inferno, which was still burning along rugged, uninhabited slopes, fire officials said.
It was about 40 percent contained, they said.
Residents whose houses were only moderately damaged were to be allowed to return home Tuesday, and by Thursday authorities plan to begin escorting residents to destroyed homes.
Associated Press