O'Donnell To Lead Homeland Security In NYS

Governor Paterson announced today that Denise O'Donnell, commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, will also take responsibility for New York state's homeland security issues.

O'Donnell will replace the current Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, Michael Balboni. Balboni's resignation will become official in February.

O'Donnell will be in charge of all homeland security and criminal justice agencies, including the state police, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Parole, and the State Emergency Management Office.

Obama Supports Tighter Standards On Auto Emissions

President Obama ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider California's request to impose tighter standards on auto emissions and set its own fuel efficiency standards. He said that the goal was not to burden an already struggling industry but to help it prepare for the future.

Obama says that it is important to end the U.S's dependence on foreign oil. He also says that it is important to "build a new energy economy that will create millions of jobs."

He has directed his administration to come up with new auto fuel-efficiency guidelines so that they can be put into effect in 2011 car models.

Salmonella Outbreak

The number of deaths linked to the salmonella outbreak has climbed to seven. An eighty year old Minnesota woman died and although her exact cause of death has yet to be determined, health officials say there is a link to the outbreak.

The Peanut Corporation of America plant in Georgia, which made peanut butter and peanut paste, has been shut down. The plant is being blamed for the outbreak.

Over 500 people have been sickened by peanut butter or peanut products . Diarrhea, fever and stomach aches are all symptoms of salmonella.

Gas Prices

The average national price of gas has increased by eight cents in the past two weeks. We surveyed five gas stations in Syracuse, a Citgo, a Mobil, two Sunocos, and a Delta Sonic. We found that the lowest price for gas was $1.89 for regular and the most expensive was $2.19 for premium. This was ten cents higher than the national average.

John Buckley who we spoke to at the gas station said, "I'm just glad it's not almost five dollars anymore."

Industries where long distance driving is essential are trying to be cautious about spending money on gas. "We have cards, we try to find the best price but also the convenience of where we are," said Buckley, a Poland Springs distribution driver, "Sometimes we are out in the country and we just get it where we can get it."

The Mobil gas station on Nottingham road sells gas at ten cents above the national average. It's proximity to the South Campus of Syracuse University is what keeps students coming back for more.

Rita Dodge, a Syracuse resident said that for a while she took advantage of Price Chopper's offer. It gives discounts on gas to customers who spend a certain amount on groceries. Delta Sonic provides discounts on gas when customers spend money on a car wash. Customers can save up to ten cents a gallon this way.

Kentucky Coach Pleads Not Guilty

A Kentucky football coach, David Stinson, pleads not guilty in court after facing a reckless homicide charge.

The Pleasure Ridge Park High School coach, who is also a teacher and a deacon at a local church, faces the charge because of the death of one of his players, Max Gilpin. Gilpin, 15, died of complications from heat stroke while practicing on August 20th.

This is the first time a coach has been charged for something that happened on the field.

Hundreds of people took part in a rally on Sunday to support Stinson. Also a Facebook group, which now has over 1,400 members, was created to support the coach.

Stinson was released without bond after the arraignment .

Layoffs

Its not a good day for workers in the United States. Caterpillar Incorporated, the world's largest maker of mining and construction equipment has laid off 5000 workers today. 2500 Caterpillar workers have already accepted buyout offers and 8000 contract workers around the world have also been laid off. Four thousand full-time factory workers have also lost their jobs.

Home Depot, the number one home improvement retailer in the country announced it would slash 7000 jobs. Home Depot expects sales for the year to fall by eight percent.

Sprint Nextel, the third largest wireless provider in the country is cutting 8000 jobs, about 14 percent of its workforce.

General Motors will be laying off 2000 workers at plants in Michigan and Ohio due to a fall in sales.

Finally the merger between two pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Wyeth will lead to 8000 more job cuts.

Common Council Settlement

The Syracuse Common Council has decided where the $750,000 that is needed for a 2005 crash involving a city employee will come from. The money that was planned for the renovation of Sibley’s parking garage in Syracuse will now be used for the settlement. The council acknowledged that the garage still does need infrastructure improvements and eventually will get the money that is needed.

Joseph LeBlanc, the city employee who was driving a payloader and ran a red light, crashed into Jennifer Belge on March 15th, 2005. Belge suffered spinal injuries and has not been able to work because of the crash.

Blagojevich Impeachment

The Illinois senate has begun the impeachment trial of Governor Rod Blagojevich . Blagojevich is refusing to take part in the trial because he says that the rules are so unfair that he can't present a defense. The judge said that the trial should proceed as though Blagojevich has presented a plea of not guilty.

Blagojevich has spent most of today in New York where he made a live appearance on ABC's "Good morning America" and will appear on "Larry King Live" tonight. He is using his T.V appearances to proclaim his innocence.


The Democratic governor has been accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's senate seat, pressurizing campaign contributors and defying legislative decisions. Two-thirds of the senators would have to vote against him in order to remove him from office.

Gillibrand To Be Sworn In On Tuesday

Newly named New York senator, Kirsten Gillibrand will be sworn into office by Vice President Joe Biden tomorrow. The oath of office will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the US Capitol.
Gillibrand was appointed on Friday and will fill Hillary Clinton’s seat who was named Secretary of State.

A new poll released by Quinnipiac University shows that 46 percent of people were supportive of Governor Paterson’s choice of Gillibrand while 24 percent were still undecided.

The poll also showed that people from upstate were the most supportive of the Governor’s decision. As for Caroline Kennedy not being chosen 49 percent are blaming Kennedy and her aides, not Paterson.

1,047 people were surveyed between January 23rd and 25th.

SU Hosts Healthy Monday

Not even the cold weather can keep Syracuse University students away from the gym. SU Rec Services department hosted its weekly Healthy Monday initative. Syracuse's Archbold gym gave out free oranges and offered free yoga classes throughout the day.

Across campus at the Schine Student Center free massages were given out. Although these services are offered to all students, many admit they do not know about Healthy Monday and all that is available.

For more information visit:
http://healthyim.syr.edu/

Managing Finances While Still In College

The economic slowdown has led to an added worry for college students. Not only must they worry about getting a job but financial experts say they must also learn how to manage their money.



"I think the problem right now is that students aren't planning ahead and are abusing their credit," says Mitchell Franklin, a professor of finance at the Whitman School of Management at SU. "They don't plan for the future."



Tiara Green, a Syracuse University freshman said she hadn't really started thinking about it because she was only a freshman. "I have two years to really start thinking about it." According to Franklin, however, students should start thinking about their financial future as early as high school.



Not all students are laid back though when it comes to their financial futures. Mackinze Brown, a Syracuse University senior says he is paying $200 a month in order to pay off his loans.



Many students are counting on their parents to help them out financially but Franklin says that parents can't even manage their own finances. He says one of the biggest problems is that it is too easy to get credit from banks.

Pfizer to Buy Wyeth

With the economy down, pharmaceutical company Pfizer shows that big deals can still be made. Pfizer signed a deal this morning to get drug making company Wyeth. The 68 billion dollar deal will hopefully increase revenue by 50%.

However, this big deal comes with the news that the company will cut more than 8,000 jobs. Along with job cuts, Pfizer will be cutting their manufacturing sites from 46 to 41.

Also, Pfizer’s profit is expected to decrease because of a 2.3 billion dollar legal settlement. The settlement was over allegations that the company marketed products that had not been approved.

For more information visit:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/26/news/companies/pfizer_wyeth/index.htm?postversion=2009012611

Castor Trial

Stacey Castor's defense lawyers began calling in their witnesses after the prosecution wrapped up its case earlier today. Toxicologists testified that they found the toxic antifreeze component ethylene glycol in David Castor's blood after his death, but no alcohol. Stacey Castor had said that her husband was depressed and had been drinking heavily before he died.

Castor has been accused of killing her husband with antifreeze in 2005. She has also been accused of trying to murder her daughter with a concoction of drugs and acohol in 2007. Castor's first husband, Michael Wallace, was also poisoned to death. Castor wasn't charged with his death.