MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The former Democratic governor of Alabama convicted on obstruction of justice and bribery charges claimed he is a victim of Washington Republican politics. Prosecutors in Montgomery, Ala., recommended a 30-year sentence for Don Siegelman, 61, although just a few of more than 100 charges were thrown out, a Los Angeles Times correspondent reported Tuesday. Siegelman's supporters claim his popularity among both black and white voters dating to 1998, when he was elected, ... [full story]

RICHFIELD, Minn. - Minnesotan Chuck Lindberg, the last survivor of the raising of the first U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima during World War II, has died. The former Marine corporal from Richfield, Minn., died Sunday, two days before his 87th birthday, the (St. Paul, Minn.) Pioneer Press reported Tuesday. "On the battlefield, he was just extraordinary. He was an authentic hero, no doubt about it," said military history author Richard Wheeler, who ... [full story]

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Homeowners near Lake Tahoe, Calif., said government regulators made it too hard for them to clear trees to protect their homes from forest fires. "I hate to get political, but environmentalists wouldn't let us cut down the dead trees," Jerry Martin said at a meeting of residents with state and federal officials, The Los Angeles Times reported. Martin's home survived a forest fire this week that burned thousands of acres ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - The fate of a major immigration bill faces rocky times in the U.S. Senate but the White House is confident it will survive, The Washington Times said Tuesday. Debate on the bill was ended by a bipartisan vote three weeks ago but has been brought back for debate with about 24 amendments agreed upon by majority Democrats and also Republicans at the insistence of U.S. President George Bush. Monday, White House Deputy Chief ... [full story]

BOSTON - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is gaining popularity in key primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. Having raised $4 million for his campaign and with TV ads from this winter still running, most national polls show the Republican presidential hopeful gaining on his party's front-runners -- former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., The Washington Post reported Monday. Polls also indicate his standing in the ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - Former U.S. EPA chief Christie Whitman said Monday the agency did its best to warn workers about environmental hazards after the World Trade Center attack. Whitman told a congressional committee she did not remember any EPA scientists advising her after the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy that the mix of dust and gas hanging in the Manhattan air posed any long-term health risks, but rescuer crews were urged to wear respirators nonetheless. The New ... [full story]

MINNEAPOLIS - A Minnesota couple said Monday their faith and family were helping sustain them after the death of the fourth of their six babies born prematurely this month. Children's Hospital in Minneapolis released a statement saying Cadence Alana died Saturday, leaving just two siblings, a girl and a boy, clinging to life in critical condition, the Star Tribune reported. Three brothers died within a week of being born. When the sextuplets were born June ... [full story]

NEW YORK - Sensitivity over outsourcing appears to have swung support of Indian-Americans away from Barrack Obama to Hillary Clinton in the race for U.S. president. The New York Daily News said Clinton, a Democratic senator from New York, received $2 million in contributions during a weekend fundraiser in Manhattan attended by prominent members of Indian community. The newspaper said Monday the event came a week after the presidential campaign of Obama, a Democratic senator ... [full story]

JERUSALEM -The West Bank and Gaza Strip's Yesha Council is protesting the decision to send arms to Fatah activists loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The move comes after Israel announced plans to support gunmen faithful to Abbas in the wake of Hamas' takeover of Fatah-controlled government buildings in the Gaza Strip last week, Ynetnews.com reported Monday. Abbas also dismissed the national unity government between his Fatah faction and Hamas and swore in an emergency ... [full story]

How many times have you had to say, "Would you please keep it down in there?"   PEACE AND QUIET - A realistic solution for home noise pollution is the ProCore The Quiet Door from JELD-WEN, shown here in the Santa Fe style. CNS Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN.    SCENTED SWEEPING - The new AirWick Fresh Sweep broom freshens the air as you sweep. CNS Photo courtesy of Quickie Manufacturing.    CUTE CANS - Add a little charm and whimsy ... [full story]