New York

1960s radical freed from prison

Over bitter protests from law officers, 1960s radical Kathy Boudin was released from prison Wednesday after serving 22 years for murder in an armored car heist that left two policemen and a security guard dead.

“I’m physically ill right now,” said Brent Newbury, president of the Rockland County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Assn.

Boudin, 60, a former Weather Underground member, was granted parole last month in Bedford.

She was once a member of the Weather Underground and was later recruited for the robbery by Black Liberation Army members and other radicals. Security guard Peter Paige and two policemen, Sgt. Edward O’Grady and Officer Waverly Brown, were killed.

Boudin, the daughter of the late civil rights attorney Leonard Boudin, was convicted of murder and robbery and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in the robbery.

Los Angeles

City council approves lap dancing ban

The City Council has voted to ban lap dances and all other physical contact between entertainers and customers at strip clubs, bikini bars and adult bookstores.

A “no-touch” rule would require dancers to remain at least 6 feet from customers — even when dancers are tipped. The council also voted Tuesday to outlaw “VIP rooms,” where nude dancers perform privately.

Under the law, strip clubs must hire a state-licensed security guard and undergo an annual permit review. Violations would be punishable by up to six months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.

The ordinance now goes to Mayor James Hahn for his signature and could go into effect as early as next month. Hahn has said he will sign the bill.

Attorney Roger Jon Diamond said he planned to file a lawsuit challenging the ordinance’s language and how it was adopted. Exotic dancers argued at previous hearings that the ordinance would destroy their livelihood.

Texas

Administrator on leave after ‘Sambo’ reference

A white school administrator who referred to “Little Sambo” while leading a teachers’ workshop was placed on paid leave for a week.

According to letters from two staff members at the Aug. 11 session, Debby Deck referred to “a Little Sambo sitting in the back of the room” as an example in a discussion on gaining respect from students.

In a letter of apology, Deck, director of career and technology education at Longview High School, Longview, wrote that she considered her words a “grave mistake.” She said she never meant to hurt anyone or disrespect their culture, and she didn’t know the term Sambo was negative.

Little Black Sambo is a century-old literary character whose images are considered racist caricatures.

North Carolina

Joke e-mails force judge to resign leadership job

A chief District Court judge resigned his leadership position amid criticism for sending around e-mails that poked fun at minorities or were sexually oriented.

William Daisy offered to resign the leadership post but will remain a judge, pending possible action by a disciplinary commission. His salary will drop from $113,135 to $109,556.

The resignation was accepted by state Supreme Court Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake on Tuesday. Lake said Daisy was a good man but the jokes were “totally inappropriate.”

Daisy sent at least 36 e-mails that included jokes about minorities or sexual humor. He used his personal e-mail account, but said in some cases he forwarded the jokes from his office at the Guilford County courthouse. Recipients included fellow judges.