Nation briefs 1/1/06

Problems plague dams in southern New England

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Thousands of New England residents live and work downstream from centuries-old dams in need of repair, and fixing them could take years and millions of dollars, according to interviews and a review of government documents conducted by The Associated Press. There are more than 7,000 registered dams in southern New England, according to state records.

Judge grants John Hinckley overnight visits

WASHINGTON-- John W. Hinckley Jr. is free -- for seven nights. U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman Friday loosened the restrictions on John W. Hinckley Jr., allowing the hospitalized presidential assailant to spend seven overnight visits with his parents in Williamsburg, Va. Hinckley, who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981, had been permitted to leave St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington for outings around the nation's capital.

Fla. teen leaves Baghdad for home after journey

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Farris Hassan is on his way back to the United States. She's just glad he'll be back safe. Hassan, 16, left Baghdad Friday to begin traveling home, drawing to a close an adventure that could have cost him his life. The high school junior took the trip without telling his parents.

Tennessee uses shame to stop drunken driving

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Starting Jan. 1, convicted drunken drivers are required to do 24 hours of roadside cleanup while wearing orange vests with the phrase "I am a Drunk Driver." The new law is aimed at first-time offenders, says one of its sponsors, state Rep. Charles Curtiss. "You cause them to go out and pick up trash in front of their friends and neighbors, the embarrassment is going to be such that they're never going to want to go through that again," Curtiss said.

-- From wire reports