National briefs 7/13/05

WellPoint to pay up to $198 million settlement

MIAMI -- WellPoint Inc., the nation's biggest publicly traded health insurer, has agreed to pay up to $198 million to settle two class-action lawsuits brought by representatives of more than 700,000 doctors over alleged unfair payment practices. The Indianapolis-based company said Monday it has agreed to pay $135 million to doctors and contribute $5 million to a nonprofit foundation aimed at improving health care for the disadvantaged.

Army National Guard misses recruiting goal

WASHINGTON -- The Army National Guard missed its recruiting goal for the ninth straight month in June and is nearly 19,000 soldiers below its authorized strength, military officials said Monday. The Army Guard was seeking 5,032 new soldiers in June but signed up only 4,337, according to statistics released Monday by the Pentagon. It is more than 10,000 soldiers behind its year-to-date goal of almost 45,000 recruits, and has missed its recruiting target during at least 17 of the last 18 months.

Exotic dance club owner buys BTK killer's house

PARK CITY, Kan. -- The owner of an exotic dance club bought the modest home of BTK killer Dennis Rader for $90,000, saying she knows she overbid but wants the proceeds to help Rader's family. Michelle Borin described herself after the auction Monday night as a real estate investor. She said she had no plans for the home.

Dennis victims dealing with having no power

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Gulf Power spokesman John Hutchinson said fewer than 200,000 homes and business were without power in Florida on Tuesday. Most of those still without power were in Florida's two westernmost counties. Hutchinson said the company would likely have 95 percent of the power back on within a week, except on Santa Rosa Island where the storm made landfall with 120 mph winds.

-- From wire reports

With few houses destroyed by Dennis, shelters also were shutting down. State officials reported that only 225 people remained in six shelters Tuesday.

Sikh man sues restaurant and five men accused of beating him

NEW YORK -- A Sikh man who was beaten, stomped and left unconscious outside a restaurant last year has filed a lawsuit against the eatery and the five men who were charged with attacking him. Rajinder Singh Khalsa, 55, told reporters Tuesday he was unable to work for four months after the beating. He said that he has lost most of the vision in his left eye. Five men were arrested in August 2004 and indicted on charges of assault and harassment, and assault as a hate crime. They are scheduled to go on trial in October and each face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.