U.S., Iraq Reportedly Set Withdrawal Timetable
United States and Iraqi negotiators reached a security deal that
calls for American military forces to leave Iraq's cities by June 2009
with the remaining combat troops withdrawing by 2011. After months of
deliberations, the deal will be presented to the Bush administration
and the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for formal
approval or rejection. Bush is expected to accept the terms while the
situation is murkier in Iraq.
Presidential Race Tightening In National Polls
Propped up by his response to the crisis in Georgia and a series of
negative ads, John McCain has virtually closed the polling gap
with Barack Obama. For example, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC
poll, finds the race "a statistical dead heat," with Obama nudging
McCain 45-42 percent. Obama's lead dropped from six points a month ago,
a trend found in other national polls.
McCain Unsure How Many Houses He Owns
Like most average Americans, McCain apparently can't remember the number of properties in his name. In an interview with Politico,
John McCain stumbled when asked this question, responding "I think —
I'll have my staff get to you. It's condominiums where — I'll have them
get to you." Newsweek estimated this summer that the Arizona Republican and his wife own at least seven properties.
Urban Leagues Sues State Over School Funding
Yesterday, the Chicago Urban League filed a civil rights lawsuit against the state
and the Illinois Board of Education, arguing that our property
tax-based school funding system is unconstitutional. Watch brief clips from their press conference here.
Chicago Teachers Union VP Expelled
Following allegations of financial improprieties, including charging
the union for food and liquor at pricey restaurants, Chicago Teachers Union vice-president Ted Dallas was expelled from the union by its
executive board yesterday. A 38-year member and teacher at
Wells High School, Dallas may appeal the decision.
Rezko Sentencing Pushed Back
The sentencing of Antoin "Tony" Rezko -- a former political
fundraiser for Barack Obama and other Chicago pols -- has been pushed
back a month at the behest of U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve, who
granted Rezko's lawyers more time to file post-trial motions. It will
now fall on October 28, just one week before the presidential election.
Alderman Receives Suspicious Powder-Filled Envelope
A mysterious letter filled with black powder and a note that read,
"Poison to kill the alderman of the 23rd Ward" landed in the office of
Ald. Michael Zalewski (23rd Ward) Wednesday morning. Evidence
technicians told Zalewski nothing in the envelope was lethal and the
cause is unknown.
Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flickr user StuSteeger.
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