Washington, D.C.: Plan to tie federal aid to school prayer panned

The Bush administration’s fresh guidance about how to handle prayer in schools — at the risk of losing federal aid — amounts to a mandate for more religion in public education, a critic says.

But supporters say the Education Department’s directive Friday to schools may clarify the debate and free students and teachers to express themselves without fear of reprisal.

“The Bush administration is clearly trying to push the envelope on behalf of prayer in public schools,” said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Under federal law, the burden is now on schools to prove they have no policy that prevents constitutionally protected prayer. The department’s new guidelines make clear that schools can lose their federal aid funds if they don’t comply.

New York: New transit system pegged at $5 billion

Gov. George Pataki sent a letter to federal officials outlining a $5 billion plan to upgrade public transportation in lower Manhattan, according to a published report.

The proposal calls for above-ground hubs at the World Trade Center site and at the Fulton Street subway stations and a rebuilt terminal at South Ferry, on the tip of Manhattan, The New York Times reported in Saturday editions.

Pataki’s $5.15 billion plan also says that construction should begin next year and continue through 2009.

So far, only $4.55 billion in federal money has been made available for transportation developments in Lower Manhattan. The proposal did not say how Pataki planned to finance the shortfall.

Rhode Island: Ill-timed hammering causes explosion, fire

A chemical plant worker tried to clear a pipe by banging on it with a hammer, and inadvertently set off an explosion and fire that injured 12, one critically.

The Friday fire at the Technic manufacturing facility in Cranston burned so intensely that pipes in the ventilation system melted, and firefighters used fans to dissipate acrid smoke.

As many as 200 people were evacuated from the neighborhood for about four hours.

The worker was in critical condition. The other 11 were treated for chemical exposure at Rhode Island Hospital and released, hospital spokeswoman Nancy Cawley said.

Cranston-based Technic produces chemicals used to plate equipment with metallic layers, such as jewelry.

Dallas: Jordanian students ordered deported

A federal judge has ordered the deportation of a Jordanian graduate student who acknowledged he once considered becoming a suicide bomber if the United States were to invade Iraq.

“I was looking at America as my enemy. If someone would have approached me and asked me to do something against the country, I was willing to do it,” Tahir Ibrihim Aletwei said at his deportation hearing Friday.

Aletwei, 30, a student at the University of Texas at Arlington, said he has changed his views and confessed to help U.S. authorities better guard against people like him.

“I abhor the thought processes that you acknowledge,” Immigration Judge D. Anthony Rogers said in ordering Aletwei to leave the country by week’s end.

South Carolina: Budgetary problems may claim ’04 primary

With South Carolina scheduled to hold the South’s first 2004 presidential primary, some Democrats are wondering where they’ll get the money to pay for it.

Like many states, South Carolina is struggling to close a big budget deficit. Current projections call for a gap of up to $1 billion next year.

In South Carolina, state parties pay for presidential primaries. The State Election Commission says the 2002 statewide primaries cost more than $2 million — cash Democrats don’t appear to have.

The party told the Federal Election Commission it finished 2002 with $44,191 in cash. A primary could cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

Potential funding sources include state government, and the state and national Democratic parties. So far, none are promising to provide the funds.