Change in lottery bill slipped past director; commission trims $11M from scholarship budget

Ark. lottery budget revised after law change found

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas’ lottery director said Wednesday he wasn’t aware that the Legislature changed how money from unclaimed prizes is to be managed – a move that required lottery officials to revise their 2011 budget.
The revised lottery budget allocates $11 million less for scholarships and overall … Read more >>.

Calif. lawmaker says university’s silence about Palin fundraising speech violates state law

Calif. lawmaker: Silence on Palin visit unlawful

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A California lawmaker said Wednesday that a state university is breaking the law by failing to disclose correspondence about an upcoming fundraiser appearance by Sarah Palin.
Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, filed a public records request with California State University, Stanislaus last week, requesting any documents related … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Calif. lawmaker says university’s silence about Palin fundraising speech violates state law.

Megan Fox and boyfriend protest school budget cuts with online video on FunnyorDie.com

Megan Fox protests school budget cuts with comedy

LOS ANGELES – Megan Fox and her sometime boyfriend, actor Brian Austin Green, are protesting California school budget cuts in a new video online.
In a video posted Wednesday on the comic Web site FunnyorDie.com, Fox urges viewers to “call, write and annoy the governor until he cries for … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Megan Fox and boyfriend protest school budget cuts with online video on FunnyorDie.com.

Hundreds could be denied mental health services under cut by Mo. Senate committee

Mo. Senate panel approves cuts to mental health

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Hundreds of Missouri residents could be denied mental health services under spending cuts approved Wednesday by a Senate committee trying to close a projected shortfall in next year’s budget.
The Senate Appropriations Committee endorsed a 10 percent reduction in state aid for alcohol and drug …. Source article  : Hundreds could be denied mental health services under cut by Mo. Senate committee.

Body found in lake near Cornell campus; police believe it is 6th suicide victim

Police believe body is Cornell U. suicide victim

ITHACA, N.Y. – Police in Ithaca, N.Y., say they believe they have found the body of a student who was among a rash of recent suicides at Cornell University.
Police say a body spotted Wednesday by a boater on Cayuga Lake has been tentatively identified as Matthew Zika, a …. Original article  : Body found in lake near Cornell campus; police believe it is 6th suicide victim.

Wisconsin lawmakers back tax credits for economic development projects, key industries

Democrats back tax credits for companies, farmers

MADISON, Wis. – Democrats who control the Legislature pushed Wednesday for an election-year package of tax credits for economic development projects and key Wisconsin industries like dairy farming and food processing.
The Legislature’s budget committee approved several bills written by Assembly Democrats, part of a push to show they are …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Wisconsin lawmakers back tax credits for economic development projects, key industries.

Connecticut championships becoming routine for fans, who take winning in stride

UConn fans take NCAA title in stride
HARTFORD, Conn. – It isn’t that UConn fans aren’t excited about the team’s seventh national championship, but for many, the novelty has worn off.

There were no big bonfires or impromptu parades on campus Tuesday night after the Huskies beat Stanford, 53-47 for their second consecutive undefeated season. Only about …. Read the original article  : Connecticut championships becoming routine for fans, who take winning in stride.

Gul Panag teaches hygiene to Delhi school kids

NEW DELHI – Bollywood actress Gul Panag Wednesday taught correct ways of personal health and hygiene to children from 10 Delhi schools on the occasion of World Health Day.

Calling upon school kids to develop good hygiene habits to prevent water and sanitation related diseases, Gul said: “It is not an ordinary event because thousands of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gul Panag teaches hygiene to Delhi school kids.

Haryana asks schools to keep 25 percent seats for poor

CHANDIGARH – The Haryana government has asked all the recognised private schools in the state to reserve 25 percent of their seats for economically weaker sections, an official said here Wednesday.

The reservation would be made available to the students from the academic session 2010-11.
“Private schools have been asked to send compliance report …. Read the original article  : Haryana asks schools to keep 25 percent seats for poor.

Who succeeds Iraq’s top Shiite cleric is as much about foreign meddling, money as about piety

Who succeeds top Iraqi cleric not just about piety

NAJAF, Iraq – Behind the scenes in this holy city, Shiite clerics are quietly intriguing over who will succeed the sect’s most revered and politically influential leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in a tussle that circles around money and foreign meddling as much as knowledge and piety.
The … Original source on Gaea Times at : Who succeeds Iraq’s top Shiite cleric is as much about foreign meddling, money as about piety.

Bitten by learning bug, teacher clears 58 subjects in board exams

ALLAHABAD – His passion for learning seems unending. This headmaster of a government school has been appearing in class 10 and 12 board exams for the past over 20 years, clearing them every time with new subjects.

Ram Lakhan Yadav, 53, has appeared as a private candidate and successfully cleared class 10 and 12 board exams …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bitten by learning bug, teacher clears 58 subjects in board exams.