February 2020

Mom of missing kids waives extradition; bail stays at $5M

HONOLULU (AP) — Bail will remain at $5 million for a mother arrested in Hawaii over the disappearance of her two Idaho children, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Vexed by how to contain virus, countries take tough steps

BANGKOK (AP) — Saudi Arabia cut travel to Islam’s holiest sites, South Korea toughened penalties for those breaking quarantines and airports across Latin America looked for signs of sick passengers Thursday as the new virus troubled a mushrooming swath of the globe.

Utility to pay $53M for blasts that damaged homes, killed 1

BOSTON (AP) — A utility company will pay the largest criminal fine ever imposed for breaking a federal pipeline safety law — $53 million — and plead guilty to causing a series of natural gas explosions in Massachusetts that killed one person and damaged dozens of homes, federal officials said Wednesday.

Abraham won’t run again for congressional seat

BATON ROUGE (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for Louisiana governor last year, said Wednesday that he won’t seek another term in Congress.

La. senator seeks to undo admission criteria penalties

BATON ROUGE (AP) — After Louisiana’s higher education policymaking board toughened admissions criteria for public universities, the chairman of the state Senate’s education committee immediately filed legislation aimed at undoing the financial penalties added for schools that violate the standards.

State investigating JUUL

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BATON ROUGE – Attorney General Jeff Landry announced Wednesday that Louisiana has joined a bipartisan, multistate investigation of JUUL Labs. The 39-state coalition is investigating JUUL’s marketing and sales practices, including targeting of youth; claims regarding nicotine content; and statements regarding risks, safety, and effectiveness as a smoking cessation device.

Sanders’ rise fuels Dems’ angst over keeping House control

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders’ ascendancy as Democrats’ leading presidential hopeful fueled growing unease as lawmakers openly expressed anxiety that the self-proclaimed democratic socialist could cost them House control and questions abounded over what party leaders should do.

Generic drugmakers sold most opioids during overdose crisis

(AP) - Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals doled out lavish perks for top U.S. employees who hit or beat sales goals for prescription opioids and other drugs: six-figure bonuses and a chance to snag a coveted “President’s Club” award, which could mean vacations to Hawaii, the Caribbean or Mexico.

Debate takeaways: Bernie bruised but not broken

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Democrats held their final debate before the South Carolina presidential primary and the critical Super Tuesday contests that follow three days later.

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