Governor Kaine Calls Storm's Wrath "Abating"
Governor Tim Kaine has been closely watching the effects of a heavy storm system that hit the Commonwealth hard this past week. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Kaine called the effects of the storm "basically abating." Such a terrible storm was the combination of two weather occurrences—remnants of tropical depression Ida and a strong nor'easter. The storm hit the Hampton Roads area especially hard by causing storm surges in excess of ten feet. Piers along the coastal communities were destroyed as well as homes near oceanfront. More than 250 people were in shelters as of Saturday and almost 120,000 Virginians were without power, according to Dominion Virginia Power. Flooding that was forecasted to exceed record levels in southwest Virginia were slightly below what the National Weather Service expected. Many schools and roads were closed on Thursday and Friday due to the heavy rains. Kaine visited some of the hardest his locations over the weekend.
NASA Finds Water on the Moon
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced Friday morning that a "significant amount" of water had been discovered on the moon that could open a door to a lunar space station. According to CNN, the announcement was made by project scientist Anthony Colaprete,. The new information is based mainly on data collected when the $79 million Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) crashed into the moon on Oct. 9 at the moon's South Pole. The data was centered on the satellite's spectrometers, which provide information about the composition of materials. Chief lunar scientist Michael Wargo, said the find could unlock more mysteries of the solar system at large. He noted solar winds, comets, molecular clouds, or moon internal activity as a possible source of the discovered water.
Longtime CNN Newsman Abruptly Resigns
In an unexpected announcement last Wednesday, Lou Dobbs, host of "Lou Dobbs Tonight," said he was leaving the program. He stated that CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein relieved Dobbs of his contract so he could move forward in other roles. He did not say what he would do instead of hosting his show, except for the fact that he would "not be constrained from speaking freely," according to the Los Angeles Times. Dobbs said that it has become clear that "strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country and affecting all of us," leading some to believe the man who has worked for CNN for more than 25 years is entering into a career of politics. Some have gone as far to speculate a 2012 presidential bid from the former newsman. Dobbs has increasingly raised eyebrows around the CNN newsroom with his moderate to conservative views, which have not set well with the left leaning channel. CNN correspondent John King is said to replace Dobbs sometime next year with a politically centered program.
Arkansas Evangelist Sentenced for Sex Crimes
Tony Alamo, a Texarkana, Ark. evangelist was sentenced Friday to 175 years in prison for ten counts of child sexual abuse, according to Yahoo! News. U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes told the god-fearing man that one day he "will face a higher and great judge than me. May he have mercy on your soul." The 75-year-old Alamo said he was a self-proclaimed prophet that forced underage girls into marriages and threatening them with eternal suffering if they resist. FBI agents raided his home in September 2008 and arrested him on charges of violating the mortality law, the Mann Act. Alamo had made millions via his ministry and must also pay a quarter of a million dollars in fines. His legal defense team asked Judge Barnes for lenient sentencing due to the preacher's age and failing health. They are expected to appeal Barne's ruling when he appears in court on Jan. 13.
Disney World Halts Spread of H1N1
In an effort to combat against the spread of the H1N1 virus, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. has installed numerous hand sanitizers across the park. According to Fox News, Disney is also reminding park visitors of basic health precautions, such as covering ones mouth and washing hands via fliers that have the park's hours on them. More than 60 sanitizer units have been added to the parks, including Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. Spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said the health measures were "part of our ongoing effort to help prevent the spread of the flu." The latest precautions at Disney World are the first and only taken by any major Florida theme park to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus, which erupted this past spring.
