New Jersey: Former senator tapped as Torricelli’s replacement

Desperate to keep their single-seat majority in the Senate, Democrats chose former Sen. Frank Lautenberg Tuesday to replace Sen. Robert Torricelli on the November ballot.

The decision was announced Tuesday evening in Princeton by Gov. James McGreevey after a full day of meetings among top state Democrats.

Whether Lautenberg’s name will actually appear the ballot with Republican Douglas Forrester will be decided in court. Republicans say it is too late to replace Torricelli, who dropped out Monday as his poll numbers continued to fall amid questions about his ethics.

The New Jersey Supreme Court will hear arguments on the case today.

California: Transient held in bus attack

A transient was booked on suspicion of murder Tuesday for allegedly stabbing a Greyhound bus driver in the neck with a pair of scissors, causing a crash that killed two passengers.

The bus, heading from Los Angeles to San Francisco, flipped on its side Monday evening and slid into a field off Interstate 5 near Fresno. It was carrying 50 passengers.

The suspect, Arturo Martinez, 27, was held on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Authorities said they did not know of any motive.

Two women were crushed to death, said Fresno Sheriff’s Capt. Carlos Mestas. Greyhound Lines spokeswoman Lynn Brown said 26 passengers and the driver were taken to hospitals. Two people, including the driver, remained hospitalized Tuesday at a Fresno hospital, where they were listed in fair condition.

New Jersey: Bulgarian student arrested with boxcutters released

A Bulgarian student who tried to board an airplane carrying two boxcutters and a pair of scissors was released Tuesday after a diplomat vouched for him.

Nikolay V. Dzhonev, 21, was freed after signing a $100,000 personal recognizance bond. He was released to the custody of a representative of the Bulgarian consulate in Washington, D.C.

“The government has no evidence that the defendant’s activities were part of any terrorist plot,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Stephen Stigall said in Atlantic City. “It appears to be an isolated incident.”