Nation briefs 4/8/15

Power outages hit Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON -- Problems at a Maryland electrical station caused widespread power outages across the nation's capital Tuesday, affecting the White House, the Capitol, museums, train stations and other sites. Many of the outages were brief, but some were longer and forced evacuations. Officials said a mechanical failure at a transfer station led to the outages, and terrorism was not suspected. Tens of thousands of customers lost power. At the White House, the interruption last only a few seconds before backup generators kicked on. The complex quickly went back onto regular power.

California water savings hit a low

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Californians' efforts to save water in the face of a devastating drought have hit a new low, as statistics released Tuesday showed residents did less to curtail their water use in February than they had in any other month since officials began tracking conservation efforts. The south coast, home to more than a third of Californians from San Diego to Los Angeles, showed an increase in water consumption despite longstanding calls for cutbacks. "These are sobering statistics and disheartening statistics," said Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board.

River traffic curbed after ship accident

NEW ORLEANS -- A three-mile stretch of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge is limited to one-way traffic upriver a day after a ship broke free of its mooring and hit two other vessels, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Petty Officer Carlos Vega said one-way traffic would continue until the three vessels involved in the collision are inspected. The Coast Guard had closed several miles of river near Convent on Monday after the Privocean -- a 751-foot bulk carrier -- broke free, drifted and struck a 98-foot towing vessel, the Texas. Vega said the Texas took on water and grounded on a river bank. Authorities said the Privocean drifted downriver and hit the 816-foot tank ship Bravo, which spilled about 420 gallons of crude oil. Vega said once the inspection of the damaged ships is complete, officials will consider reopening the river to two-way traffic.

-- Associated Press