The Federal Reserve reporting Tuesday that it expects slower economic growth and a slight bump up in unemployment next year due to the housing slump and a credit crunch. Many economists believe that overall economic growth will skid more in this quarter and the first three months of next year, raising the threat that some unexpected shock could put the country into a full-blown downturn.
High court to consider gun ban
The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide whether the District of Columbia can ban handguns, a case that could produce the most in-depth examination of the constitutional right to “keep and bear arms” in nearly 70 years. The justices’ decision to hear the case could make the divisive debate over guns an issue in the 2008 presidential and congressional elections.
Polygamist sect leader sentenced
A judge in St. George, Utah, sentenced a polygamous-sect leader Tuesday to five years to life in prison for his role in the arranged marriage of teenage cousins. Warren Jeffs, 51, was convicted of two counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in the marriage of a 14-year-old follower and her 19-year-old cousin in 2001. The Utah parole board is to decide how long he’s jailed.
Ashcroft firm to collect $52.2M?
Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft’s law firm could earn $52.2 million for helping the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey monitor a leading maker of knee and hip replacements. Ashcroft’s firm is among five legal teams U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie hand-picked to watch the manufacturers, who agreed in September to pay $311 million and hire monitors to settle allegations they paid surgeons to use and promote their devices.
And finally …
Pardon us, turkeys coming through
President Bush saved two lives Tuesday. He granted his yearly pardon to the national Thanksgiving turkey, named “May,” and a backup turkey who went unseen, who goes by “Flower.” The names were chosen in an online poll that drew more than 28,000 votes. It was close; people also liked “Wish and Bone,” and “Wing and Prayer.”
