Nation briefs 11/21/03

FBI gets more power to probe business finances

WASHINGTON -- In an effort to improve problems in intelligence gathering identified after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the House voted Thursday to expand the government's power to demand financial reports from businesses as part of terrorism investigations. A report by the House and Senate intelligence committees said the change is "crucial," but some lawmakers were concerned the lack of judicial oversight would destroy civil liberties.

Appeals court OKs death suit against gun makers

SAN FRANCISCO -- A 2-1 ruling by the San Francisco-based U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit against gun manufacturers and distributors on Thursday. Thirty-three states currently have laws exempting gun makers from being sued for crimes committed with their products. The House passed a bill mandating a federal exemption in April and President Bush said he would sign it, though Senate Democrats have threatened a filibuster.

Spector charged with murder in actress' death

ALHAMBRA, Calif. -- Phil Spector, 63, the 1960s recording-studio wizard who created pop music's Wall of Sound, was arraigned Thursday afternoon in the slaying of 40-year-old Lana Clarkson, a B-movie actress and model found dead in the foyer of his Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3.

Internet voting stirs up debate in Mich. caucus

WASHINGTON -- The Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws Committee will vote Saturday on whether to approve a Michigan plan to allow Internet voting, along with paper and mail ballots, in the state's Feb. 7 caucus. Opponents believe the move would be a disadvantage to poor and minority voters who are less likely to own a computer.

Archdiocese pleads no contest in abuse cases

CINCINNATI -- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati pleaded no contest to charges of "an institutional knowledge that certain felony sex crimes involving minors occurred." Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Richard Niehaus sentenced the archdiocese to $10,000 in fines on five misdomeanor counts. Thursday's plea is not an admission of guilt but enables the archdiocese to avoid a possible indictment.

Caution prevails as states shake budget crunch

Though things are looking up for state budgets, lawmakers still aren't ready to breathe easy. Many states are seeing fewer budget shortfalls, more control over spending and a boost in revenue growth for the first time in years. The brighter financial picture doesn't satisfy everyone, though, with government officials still prescribing to caution on funding questions.

-- From wire reports