LITTLE ROCK — QUOTE OF THE DAY
"In my 22 years in the fire department here in Gwinnett, we have not experienced flooding to this degree."
Capt. Thomas Rutledge
of the Gwinnett County, Ga., Fire and Emergency Services, on the flooding that killed at least six in the state Article, this pageAgency plans look at ACORN funding
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department's inspector general plans to examine whether the community organizing group ACORN received grant funding from the agency and whether any audits were conducted.
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) came under criticism from lawmakers last week after videos were circulated that appear to show employees of the group giving advice to people posing as a prostitute and pimp.
The inspector general, Glenn Fine, wrote in a letter Monday to Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, that he planned to open the review. Smith had requested the investigation, citing allegations of fraud and misconduct against the nonprofit organization that provides housing and other assistance for low- and moderate-income families.
An initial review by ACORN showed it received $12,000 from the Justice Department since January 2008.
The House on Thursday voted to cut all federal funding for the group.
Tests find fewer flu shots needed
WASHINGTON - Children ages 10 to 17, who are among those facing the greatest risk from swine flu, appear to need just one dose of the new vaccine, but younger children will probably need two, federal health officials reported Monday.
Preliminary results from tests involving about 600 subjects ages 6 months to 17 years found that 76 percent of those age 10 and older who received a standard single shot experienced a strong enough response within eight to 10 days to assume they would be protected. But only 25 percent to 36 percent of the younger children had a strong response, indicating that they will need two shots.
The findings mark the second piece of good news about the new swine flu vaccine. Officials reported last week that adults would probably need only one shot, despite expectations that all ages would need two doses in order to prime the immune system against a new virus.
Unlike the usual flu, which tends to hit the elderly hardest, the swine flu virus tends to infect children and young adults more commonly. The rate of infections has been highest among people ages 5 years to 24 years, followed by children younger than 5.
Party fundraiser indicted in fraud
NEW YORK - A wealthy fundraiser for Hillary Rodham Clinton and other top Democrats has been indicted on bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in an alleged $292 million Ponzi scheme.
Federal prosecutors announced the indictment against Hassan Nemazee in New York on Monday. The indictment says he fraudulently obtained loans from three banks between 1998 and this year.
Nemazee, 59, served as national finance chairman for Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign and later raised money for President Barack Obama after her primary defeat.
Nemazee is under house arrest as part of a $25 million bail agreement.
Front Section, Pages 3 on 09/22/2009