National Desk

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The New York Sun

WASHINGTON


OFFICIALS WARN OF POLL-WORKER SHORTAGE


A critical shortage of poll workers will develop around the nation unless younger people step in to take over for senior citizens who staff polling places now, elections officials said yesterday. In Baltimore, “If they’re breathing and they can walk we have to take them,” said the city’s election director, Barbara Jackson. In New Mexico, the average poll worker is 70 years old, said New Mexico Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron.


While election administrators may scrape together the estimated 2 million workers needed November 2, some workers will barely be up to the job, and the shortage will only get worse as staffers grow older, said witnesses at a hearing of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The independent federal agency distributes money and advice to states to help solve voting problems.


Regulations defining qualifications to be a poll worker vary from state to state. In some but not all states, they must be of voting age. Federal law also can lead to differences in the composition of a polling place’s staff. Jurisdictions with largely minority populations are required by the Voting Rights Act to take reasonable steps to supply bilingual poll workers.


– Associated Press


WEST


FIRST FEMALE FIREFIGHTER KILLED IN CALIFORNIA


COLUMBIA, Calif. – A member of an elite helicopter wildfire crew has become the first female firefighter from the California Department of Forestry to die in the line of duty, state officials said yesterday. Officials could give few details about what happened when the seven member crew was apparently overrun by flames Sunday in rugged terrain of the Stanislaus National Forest. The department identified the woman as Eva Schicke, 24, of Arnold.


“This is a very difficult day for our department,” said Jim Wright, chief of fire protection at the CDF. “It is just a reminder of the danger our firefighters face on a daily basis.”


Chief Wright said the crew appeared to have been on the ground about an hour. Their job was to use hand tools to build a fire break ahead of the blaze, which had grown to 800 acres Monday and was 20% contained.


Six other firefighters suffered minor injuries. Since the death happened in a national forest and involved state firefighters, it will be investigated by federal and state fire officials, CDF Director Dale Geldert said.


– Associated Press


HEALTH


FDA PANELS HEAR TESTIMONY ON SUICIDE AND ANTIDEPRESSANTS


Tom Woodward’s 17-year-old daughter Julie committed suicide by hanging herself. He blamed the antidepressant that the teen had been taking for seven days.


“We are certain that Zoloft killed our daughter,” said Mr. Woodward, one of more than 70 speakers enveloping federal health advisers yesterday in an outpouring of emotion, tears, and anger. Others witnesses urged the Food and Drug Administration not to take away drugs that have reduced suicide rates among depressed youths.


Two FDA advisory panels are considering whether agency action – including stronger warning labels – is needed on antidepressants because they have been linked to suicidal tendencies among children who take them. The joint panel will weigh the benefits of nine drugs given to depressed children against the risk that the remedies may increase suicidal thoughts and actions.


A spokeswoman for Zoloft manufacturer Pfizer, Susan Bro, would not comment on Mr. Woodward’s allegations because of pending litigation. Zoloft, she said, is a “safe and effective drug when used as prescribed.”


An FDA senior medical reviewer, Tarek Hammad, told the panel an additional 2% to 3% of children are likely to incur increased suicidal thoughts from taking any antidepressant. He told reporters that looking at all the drug company studies created a complete picture.


– Associated Press


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