Headlines for Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Off-year elections –what’s at stake and will voters turn out?
Voters around the country can cast ballots today in a number of important races – but it remains to be seen if they will. The off year elections feature two gubernatorial races: in Virginia, Democrat Creigh Deeds trails Republican Bob McDonald – despite McDonald’s history of blatant sexism and homophobia. In New Jersey the race looks close with incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine largely funding his own campaign to the tune of 23 million dollars and campaigning with President Obama. The Republican challenger, Chris Christie is running close in the polls and Independent Chris Daggett stands to garner support from disaffected voted from both parties. In New York, the contest for the 23rd Congressional District pits conservative Republicans against their moderate comrades – centrist Republicans may well support Democratic candidate Bill Owens after moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava withdrew over the weekend leaving conservative Doug Hoffman as the only GOP option. Mayoral races are on the ballot in a number of cities including New York, Boston and Atlanta – and ballot initiatives appear in six states including same sex marriage and medical marijuana in Maine, land preservation in New Jersey and casino gambling in Ohio.

Five Muslim men detained post 9-11 settle lawsuit against US for $1.26 million
Lawyers for five Muslim men who were detained for months after the September 11th attacks announced today that they have reached a 1.26 million dollar settlement with the US government. Two of the five plaintiffs were held for months even after the FBI cleared them of any ties to terrorism. The Center for Constitutional Rights – who represented the men – says this is the largest settlement thus far for claims of post 9-11 abuse. While substantial – the awards average only about 250 K per victim.

Another journalist slain in Mexico
Mexico continues to rank as the hemisphere's deadliest country for journalists. The body of a Mexican crime reporter was found last night near the spot where he was kidnapped 10 hours earlier. Shannon Young has the story.

The body of Bladimir Antuna García was found dumped behind a clinic with signs of strangulation. Mexican newspapers report that a a written message was left with the body, something police have denied when speaking on the record. Mexico City's La Jornada writes that a witness relayed the message as (quote) "This happened to me for giving information to the military and for writing what I shouldn't have. Be careful with your texts before making news". Antuna García worked as a crime reporter for a newspaper in the northern state of Durango. He's the 4th press worker murdered this year in Durango and the eleventh in Mexico. Homicides in Durango have skyrocketed since 2008 after two formerly allied cartels became rivals. Part of the state lies in the so-called "Golden Triangle," an area along the shared borders of Chihuahua and Sinaloa known for plantation-scale marijuana and poppy cultivation. Organized crime is the primary suspect in most Mexican reporter murders and the crimes usually go unpunished. Shannon Young, FSRN.

H1N1 around the world: schools close, borders tighten and officials quit
Governments around the world continue to react to H1N1 – yesterday Afghanistan declared a state of emergency and closed all schools for three weeks, as did Ukraine. Today both Russia and Slovakia increased scrutiny at their respective borders with Ukraine – Slovakia closed two of five crossings and Russia is screening all who enter from Ukraine. And in Romania today, a top health ministry official resigned after announcing on national TV that 20,000 people could die from swine flu in that one nation alone. Miles Ashdown has more.

A Romanian presidential adviser said the Health Ministry Secretary of State caused a ‘futile sense of panic” and should ‘no longer appear in public.” Dr. Adrian Streniu Cercel said the 20,000 deaths would be the minimum. Citing personal reasons, the doctor resigned today -- just a month after being appointed.  Before leaving his post, Streinu announced the health ministry would quarantine all Romanian hospitals from visitors and create separate emergency wards for people with flu symptoms. Additionally, hospitals will start vaccinations later this month of 1.3 million medical staff, and high school and university students in the capital Bucharest and the northeastern city of Iasi. Romania is one of eight countries in the world that can produce the vaccine. The Romanian president called today for the public and media to remain calm and to act responsibility. Last week, Romania’s interim health minister said the ministry is considering banning public gatherings. According to the Romanian health ministry, the country has 555 registered cases of swine flu. 174 were reported over the past week. Miles Ashdown, FSRN, Romania.

Philly democrats ask that polls stay open late due to transit strike
The Philadelphia Democratic Committee has asked that polls remain open an extra hour tonight after a public transit strike took effect in the early morning hours today. Commuters were stranded this morning and may well face challenges getting to their voting precincts after work.  The Transport Union Workers Local 234 went on strike at 3 AM today – they walked out after failing to reach an agreement on wages and employee contributions for their pensions and health care. Some 5,000 train operators, bus drivers and mechanics originally planned to strike Friday night – but agreed to stay at the negotiating table until the World Series games in Philadelphia were finished. No further negotiations are yet scheduled.