National News for Oct. 24 - Nov. 7

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

Nov. 4 - Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was elected the 44th President of the United States. Obama won 53 percent of the popular vote and 364 electoral votes to become the first African-American president. His opponent, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), won 46 percent of the popular vote and 163 electoral votes. Results in Missouri still have not been finalized. Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) will become the 47th Vice President of the United States. In Congressional Elections, Democrats retained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate with a majority of 56 seats in the Senate and 254 seats in the House, including Independents who caucus with the Democrats. Three Senate seats are still undecided as results are too close to call and results may be recounted. Democrats are hoping to win all three seats so they can have a filibuster-proof Senate, as 60 votes are needed to end a filibuster.

California

Nov. 4 - Californians voted in favor of Proposition 8, an amendment to the California Constitution that would ban gay marriage, 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent. Over $75 million was spent on the campaigns for and against Proposition 8, the second largest amount spent this election cycle after the presidential race. The California Supreme Court had previously ruled that gay couples in California could marry, and the legality of those marriages remains unknown due to the amendment.

Juneau, Alaska

Nov. 3 - The Alaskan State Personnel Board concluded in a report that Republican Governor Sarah Palin did not abuse her powers in the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan and did not violate the Alaska Executive Ethics Acts. This report contradicts a report released by the Alaskan Legislature on Oct. 10, which found that Palin had abused her powers. Monegan alleges that his firing was related to his reluctance to fire Mike Wooten, an Alaskan State Trooper and Palin's former brother-in-law.

Washington, D.C.

Oct. 29 - The Justice Department approved the merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines six months after the airlines announced they had reached a deal regarding a merger that would create the world's largest airline. The Justice Department investigated the merger deal in fear of an airline monopoly but concluded that the merger should drive down prices because of lower operational costs. The new, combined airline will also be called Delta. Richard Anderson, Delta's current Chief Executive, will retain his role in the new company.