WASHINGTON

CONGRESSMAN WANTS BETTER DATA ON CRUISE SHIP CRIME

Only five of the 28 people who disappeared from cruise ships in the past three years were found, according to data disclosed to Congress by the world’s largest cruise lines. A congressional memo compiled in advance of a House hearing on cruise ship safety Tuesday also details 177 sexual misconduct incidents and four robberies of amounts over $5,000. During that three-year period approximately 25 million people embarked on cruises from North American ports, the memo said.

Disclosure of the data, supplied by Holland America Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and others, is unusual because cruise lines are not required by law to publish comprehensive crime statistics and criminal law varies greatly on international waters. Rep. Christopher Shays, a Republican of Connecticut and chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, is working on legislation to make such reporting mandatory.

– Associated Press

MARSHALL REJOINS CLINTON STAFF

Capricia Marshall, who oversaw posh presidential parties and the first lady’s wardrobe as White House social secretary during the Clinton administration, has joined Senator Clinton’s re-election committee as finance director. Along with a big team of fund-raisers, Ms. Marshall will work for Friends of Hillary, whose $17 million on hand far outstrips other 2006 Senate candidates. She’ll also raise funds for Mrs. Clinton’s political action committee, HILLPAC. Ms. Marshall, who holds a degree from Case Western Reserve University, was the first lady’s top assistant for five years. She recently served as a consultant to ABC’s “Commander in Chief.”

– The Washington Post

SOUTH

UNC GRADUATE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER IN CAMPUS CRASH

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – A recent University of North Carolina graduate was charged with nine counts of attempted murder Saturday, a day after authorities say he drove through a popular campus gathering spot in an attempt to avenge Muslim deaths.

The chief of the university police department, Derek Poarch, confirmed Saturday that a 22-year-old Iran native, Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, told investigators he wanted to “avenge the deaths or murders of Muslims around the world.” Mr. Taheri-azar also is charged with nine counts of assault.

– Associated Press

TEXAS TOWN’S POLICE DEPARTMENT SHUT DOWN

TROUP, Texas – The police chief and a sergeant in this eastern Texas town were arrested on drug and evidence tampering charges and the department shut down.

Police Chief Chester Kennedy was charged Friday with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. He was released from jail on a $400,000 bond. Last year’s chamber of commerce Officer of the Year, Sergeant Mark Turner, was booked into Smith County Jail late Thursday on a misdemeanor delivery of marijuana charge and a third-degree felony charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Mr. Turner was being held on bonds totaling $500,000.

– Associated Press

MIDWEST

CHICAGO MAY PRIVATIZE MIDWAY AIRPORT

CHICAGO – Mayor Richard Daley’s administration is considering whether to privatize Midway International Airport, a city official said.

The city’s chief financial officer, Dana Levenson, said the move is a possibility as the city looks for ways to raise cash without increasing taxes. Mr. Levenson said either all or part of Midway could eventually be leased to a private operator. It could take years to complete a transaction to privatize the airport, and standards for a private operator and assessing the deal’s value would take time, he said.

– Associated Press