Nation briefs 3/15/04

Coroners working in shifts to identifyFresno victims

FRESNO, Calif. -- Six coroners, triple the typical weekend staff, worked in shifts Sunday to identify the nine victims of a mass killing, believed to all be family members of a man who lived a bizarre life of polygamy and incest. Marcus Wesson, who may have fathered two of the victims with his own daughters, was charged with nine counts of murder. Bail was set at $9 million. Wesson, 57, covered with blood but described by police as "very calm," was arrested Friday when he emerged from his home, where authorities found the nine bodies tangled in a pile of clothing in a back room. Investigators said the victims were six females and three males, ranging in age from 1 to 24 and probably all Wesson's children and grandchildren.

Kerry talks health care in two battleground states

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, arguing that voters "are hungry for a real discussion," promoted a health-care plan that he said would save consumers $1,000 each as he focused attention Sunday on a pair of important Rust Belt states that have been battered by the steady drain of manufacturing jobs. The Massachusetts senator said the swing was the opening salvo in his effort to focus the contentious presidential campaign on issues that matter to voters, like health care and jobs. Kerry said the health-care crisis has worsened under President Bush, with more than 1 million people a year losing coverage at a time when average health insurance premiums have increased by $793.

Conservative bishops defy Episcopal Church leaders

FAIRLAWN, Ohio -- Launching a new front in the Episcopal Church's conflict over gay clergy, six defiant congregations joined Sunday in a confirmation service for youths, led by visiting, conservative bishops who acted without required permission from the Diocese of Ohio. Under Episcopal law and liturgy, confirmations are supposed to be performed only by local bishops or by visiting bishops approved by the head of the host diocese, in this case Bishop J. Clark Grew II of Cleveland. The six congregations are part of a nationwide protest movement of conservative Episcopalians who oppose homosexual activity on biblical grounds.

Treasury: Make education benefits less taxing

WASHINGTON -- Students heading to college may want to make their first class a short course in tax law. They will need it to work out the myriad tax credits, deductions and savings plans that help defray the rising cost of a college education. The complications built into tax benefits for students and parents of college-bound children caught the attention of Treasury Department officials. Last month, they asked lawmakers to simplify things. Under the current rules, students in their first two years of college qualify for the Hope credit. Upperclassmen, graduate students and professionals can use the lifetime learning credit. Parents with children, or attending school themselves, can claim more than one Hope credit but only one lifetime learning credit.

Attorney General Ashcroft discharged from hospital

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General John Ashcroft was released from the hospital Sunday, five days after surgery to remove his gallbladder. Ashcroft, 61, will stay in his Washington home for some "quiet rest" as he continues to recuperate, Justice Department spokesman Mark Corallo said. Deputy Attorney General James Comey will continue to run the department until Ashcroft returns. Ash-croft was admitted March 4 to George Washington University Hospital, suffering from a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis. The gallbladder was removed to prevent a recurrence of the sometimes-fatal illness.

-- From wire reports