Nation briefs 10/29/05

Millions still without power in Florida

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- Simple tasks like buying gas, cooking food and even turning on the lights got a little easier Friday, with power restored to nearly half the homes and businesses that lost it during Hurricane Wilma. Lines still formed at gas stations early in the day, but there were more open than earlier in the week, the state Department of Environmental Protection said. The utility said it had returned power to roughly 45 percent of the more than 6 million people who lost it, but said restoration of service for all of the remaining 3.6 million people might take until Thanksgiving week.

Inhaled insulin treatment awaits FDA review

WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration is delaying a final decision on the first inhalable form of insulin for three months while it reviews chemistry data on the diabetes treatment. The agency's decision had been expected this week. The drug companies that developed the treatment said Friday the FDA notified them of the extended review. The drug would be marketed under the name "Exubera."

House panel votes to slash food stamp funding

WASHINGTON -- The House Agriculture Committee approved budget cuts Friday that would take food stamps away from an estimated 300,000 people and could cut off school lunches and breakfasts for 40,000 children. The cuts, approved by the Republican-controlled committee on a party-line vote, are part of an effort by the House GOP to curb federal spending by $50 billion.

-- From wire reports