Illinois
McDonald's recalls toys
McDonald's Corp. on Monday voluntarily recalled about 234,000 "Scooter Bug" toys after learning three children had choked or gagged on the toy's antennae, which are prone to breaking off.
The toys were distributed with McDonald's Happy Meals from November of last year through February, the Oak Brook-based restaurant chain said.
The toys can be exchanged for replacements at McDonald's restaurants. Consumers may call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772 or visit McDonald's Web site at www.mcdonalds.com.
Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress cited for fire-safety violations
The Library of Congress was ordered Monday to fix fire safety violations that threaten treasures that include a Gutenberg Bible, Thomas Jefferson's personal library and 30,000 recordings on cylinders that pre-date phonograph records.
Congress' health and safety agency, the Office of Compliance, issued seven separate citations that ordered correction of fire dangers in book stacks, stairwells, book conveyor systems, electrical switch boxes, rare book areas and the storage space for the audio recordings of the early 1900s.
The citations pointed to "an undue danger to the lives and safety of occupants" of the three Library buildings, especially the domed, 103-year-old Jefferson Building.
Washington, D.C.
March of Dimes urges more newborn testing
Most babies born last year did not receive eight newborn blood tests that the March of Dimes calls vital, the charity said Monday.
Every state now tests every newborn for two rare diseases that can cause retardation if untreated: hypothyroidism and the metabolic disease phenylketonuria.
The March of Dimes recommends newborn screening for PKU and hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease and five more rare diseases: congenital adrenal hyperplasia, biotinidase, homocystinuria, maple syrup urine disease and galactosemia.
Only three states Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island require all eight tests, the March of Dimes said. Patients' total cost for newborn screening is about $25, but it does require special laboratory training and expensive equipment.
Washington, D.C.
High-speed trains launched
Amtrak introduced a nonstop, high-speed train between Washington and New York on Monday but missed an on-time arrival by 10 minutes due to a problem with a power line in New Jersey.
The Acela Express train was to leave Washington at 6:50 a.m. and arrive in New York at 9:18 a.m. after a trip of two hours, 28 minutes.
Amtrak spokeswoman Brenda Follmer said the train was 10 minutes late due to a technical glitch not related to the snowstorm in parts of the Northeast.
Amtrak launched a second Acela Express train Monday, making daily round trips between Boston and New York with stops in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
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