National News for Nov. 7 - 21

This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from the Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report and CNN. Silver Chips Online posts this news summary to provide readers with a forum for discussion.

Washington, D.C.
Congress has been working on a $25 billion bailout for the failing U.S. auto industry. The Detroit's "Big Three" automakers (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler) have been adversely affected by the failing economy, as their share prices have dropped due to reduced profits from a low number of car sales. Automakers are likely to lose even more sales due to the frozen credit crisis. Democrats have been pushing for the $25 billion to be carved out of the existing $700 billion bailout for the housing crisis, whereas Republicans have asked that the money come from funds currently allocated to alternative energy research.

Miami, Fla.
Nov. 10 - Florida and U.S. Sugar Corporation have reworked a massive land purchase deal in the Northern Everglades. The old plan would have cost the Florida government $1.75 billion for 187,000 acres of land; now, the exchange has been reduced to $1.34 billion for 181,000 acres of land. The plan was reconsidered due to the changes in the economy so that both parties could reach a fair agreement, according to U.S. Sugar. A large environmental restoration project will ensue, rehabilitating ecological populations that have been damaged.

Santa Clara, Calif.
Nov. 14 - Jing Wu, 47, allegedly killed three of his former co-workers after he was laid off earlier that week from SiPort Inc., a high-tech Silicon Valley company. Wu, formerly a product test engineer, calmly entered into a meeting with his three former co-workers, according to the Santa Clara Police Department, who are still investigating. He allegedly shot his former colleagues during that meeting. Wu was arrested the next day with little incident; the murder weapon, a 9 mm handgun, has not been found.

San Francisco, Calif.
Nov. 19 - The California Supreme Court has agreed to review Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage in the state. The ban was passed as a Nov. 4 voter initiative for a constitutional amendment, following a 4-3 vote by the California Supreme Court to allow gay marriage on May 15. Many lawsuits have been filed against Proposition 8 as activists around the country are rallying for more same-sex rights. The Calif. Supreme Court will not allow gay marriage until it reaches a decision on Proposition 8.