WEST

LAB RESTORES JOBS JUST BEFORE BUSH VISITS

GOLDEN, Colo. – President Bush visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory here yesterday to promote his plan to increase cleaner-burning, domestic sources of energy. The appearance came one day after the administration moved to defuse tensions over job cuts at the lab.

The 32 layoffs this month included eight researchers working on many of the alternative forms of energy Bush came here to champion. But on Monday, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced that $5 million would be transferred from another government account to bring the workers back – and avoid an untimely political embarrassment for Mr. Bush.

“The action we are taking today will allow the dedicated employees at NREL to continue their work that will bring us great innovation in renewable energy technologies,” Mr. Bodman said in a statement released less than 24 hours before Mr. Bush toured the research lab and participated in a roundtable discussion on energy.

The lab is the principal research center for the Energy Department.

– The Washington Post

WASHINGTON

SUPREME COURT SIDES WITH CHURCH IN HALLUCINOGENIC TEA CASE

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously yesterday that a small congregation in New Mexico may use hallucinogenic tea as part of a four-hour ritual intended to connect with God.

Justices, in their first religious freedom decision under Chief Justice Roberts, moved decisively to keep the government out of a church’s religious practice. Federal drug agents should have been barred from confiscating the hoasca tea of the Brazil-based church, Justice Roberts wrote in the decision.

The tea, which contains an illegal drug known as DMT, is considered sacred to members of O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal, which has a blend of Christian beliefs and South American traditions. Members believe they can understand God only by drinking the tea, which is consumed twice a month at four-hour ceremonies.

– Associated Press

SOUTH

FLORIDA MAN KILLS ROOMMATE OVER TOILET PAPER

MOSS BLUFF, Fla. – A man was arrested and accused of fatally beating his roommate with hammers because there was no toilet paper in their home, police said. Franklin Paul Crow, 56, was charged Monday with homicide, according to a spokesman with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Crow is accused in the death of Kenneth Matthews, 58, the spokesman said. Captain Thomas Bibb said Mr. Crow initially denied his involvement, but later confessed during questioning.

Mr. Crow told investigators that the men were fighting about the toilet paper over the weekend when Matthews pulled out a rifle. Mr. Crow said he then began beating Matthews with the sledgehammer and claw hammer, according to an affidavit. Matthews was beaten so badly he had to be identified through his fingerprints, detectives said.

– Associated Press