East Orange, N.J. – Several states said Monday that they would challenge the Bush administration in federal court over its new rules that block the expansion of a health-insurance program for children from low-income families.
Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Washington are joining in the litigation as plaintiffs or by filing supporting briefs.
The states object to rules issued in August that make it harder for them to provide coverage to children in middle-income families by limiting the total income of families who participate. The states accuse the administration of overstepping its authority over the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Illegal immigrants hurt environment, Chertoff says
Washington – Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Monday defended the construction of a fence along the Southwest border, saying it’s actually better for the environment than what happens when people illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico line.
“Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I’ve seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifacts in pristine areas,” Chertoff said. “And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment.”
The government plans to complete 370 miles of fencing and put 200 miles of vehicle barriers in place by the end of 2008. But this has brought complaints of harm to the environment.
At least 1 dead after rock falls on boat
Halls Crossing, Utah – Authorities say a rock slab fell on a boat at Lake Powell, killing one person and probably two.
A woman’s body was recovered Friday. Searchers were still looking for the other person, likely a man. He’s presumed drowned.
The capsized boat was reported by a witness in an area called Lake Canyon.
The size of the rock slab was estimated at 250 square feet. No names were released, but the boat and a vehicle were registered to an owner in Colorado.
Man dies in skydiving accident
Moab – A Park City man is dead after a skydiving accident in Utah’s Grand County.
The sheriff’s office there says 26-year-old Christopher Price’s parachute didn’t open and he fell about 13,000 feet during a skydiving rally.
Crackdown disrupting flow of drugs
Mexico City – Mexico’s crackdown on drug cartels and stepped-up U.S. border enforcement have disrupted the flow of drugs and caused cocaine supply shortages in 37 U.S. cities, according to a report scheduled for release today by the White House drug-policy office.
Cocaine prices have nearly doubled in some cities and soared from a nationwide average of $95.89 a gram in the first quarter of this year to $118.70 in the second quarter, the report says.
