Air Force radio frequency jams garage door openers

DENVER -- A secretive Air Force facility in Colorado Springs tested a radio frequency last week that it would use to communicate with first responders in the event of a homeland security threat. But the frequency also controls an estimated 50 million garage door openers, and hundreds of residents in the area found that theirs had suddenly stopped working. Capt. Tracy Giles of the 21st Space Wing said Air Force officials were trying to figure out how to resolve the problem. Technically, the Air Force has the right to the frequency.

GOP will pay to settle phone-jamming suit

CONCORD, N.H. -- State and national Republicans will pay $135,000 to settle a suit involving a scheme to jam Democratic get-out-the-vote calls on Election Day 2002, officials said Saturday. Republicans had hired a telemarketing firm to place hundreds of hang-up calls to phone banks for the Democratic Party and the Manchester firefighters union, a nonpartisan group offering rides to the polls. Service was disrupted for nearly two hours.

New congressman wants to take oath with Quran

WASHINGTON -- Keith Ellison, who will become the first Muslim member of Congress next month, has offended some conservatives with his plan to use the Quran during his ceremonial swearing-in. The decision by Ellison, D-Minn., to use the Muslim holy book for the ceremony instead of the Bible triggered an angry column by Dennis Prager on the Web site Townhall.com last week. Prager argued that using the Quran for the ceremony "undermines American civilization." "Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible," he wrote. "If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress." Ellisons' incoming chief of staff, Kari Moe, dismissed the brouhaha Friday.

-- From wire reports