State briefs 7/9/04

Metal toy jewelry recalled over lead poisoning risk

WASHINGTON -- Four import companies have voluntarily recalled 150 million pieces of toy jewelry sold in vending machines over concerns that some of it could pose a risk of lead poisoning, federal regulators said Thursday. The four companies involved are A & A Global Industries Inc. of Cockeysville, Md.; Brand Imports LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Cardinal Distributing Co. Inc. of Baltimore; and L.M. Becker & Co. Inc. of Kimberly, Wis.

FAA: Capitol evacuation mistakes now corrected

WASHINGTON -- The government said Thursday it has acted to prevent a repeat of the communication breakdown that led to a frantic evacuation of the Capitol on the day Ronald Reagan's body was brought to lie in state. Linda Schuessler, vice president for system operations at the Federal Aviation Administration, told House lawmakers. the agency failed to let others in the government know that the suspicious plane, which was carrying Kentucky's governor, had a broken transponder, a device that identifies aircraft.

Saddam's attorney seeks U.S. court intervention

WASHINGTON -- The lone American on Saddam Hussein's legal team said Thursday he has asked the Supreme Court to declare the detention of the ousted Iraqi president unconstitutional. The long-shot legal maneuver comes as Saddam's attorneys await the chance to meet with their client and find out what charges he will face in a trial by Iraq's new government.

Reservist sues to avoid duty recall to Iraq

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A former Army reservist from suburban Raleigh sued the Army in federal court Thursday to avoid being recalled to duty in Iraq. Todd Parrish, 30, served four years of active duty and another four years in the reserves, a commitment he believed expired Dec. 19. But the Army says Parrish never formally resigned his commission as a lieutenant, making him eligible for involuntary recall to duty.

Couple forced children to dig their own graves

TRENTON, Tenn. -- A couple who took in 18 disabled and homeless children warned some of them they could be killed and forced them to dig their own graves, according to investigative documents. A search warrant affidavit released in the abuse case against Thomas and Debra Schmitz also alleges that children were beaten, locked in a cage and punished by having their eyeglasses, leg braces or crutches taken away.

College costs up again next year; aid should help

Despite a recovering economy and exasperation in Congress, college tuition will be up sharply again next year -- though experts say that once financial aid is factored in, students may not be worse off. Public colleges, only slowly emerging from years of state budget cuts, will probably charge about 10 percent more on average next year, or $5,100, estimated Travis Reindle, director of state policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

-- From wire reports