Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.news From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: news Fri, Jul 24 1992 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 92 04:47:16 EDT Message-ID: DECISIONLINE: News USA TODAY Update July 24-26, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network MRS. QUAYLE PUTS HER FOOT DOWN: Marilyn Quayle said Thursday that if her teen-age daughter becomes pregnant, "she'll take the child to term," opposing her husband's statement that he would "support" their daughter if she chose to have an abortion. Wednesday, Quayle was asked what he would do if his daughter became pregnant. Thursday, Quayle said he'd support his daughter's decision only if she was an adult. BUSH CONFERS WITH MILITARY: President Bush Thursday met with military planners in response to Iraq's barring U.N. inspectors from searching its Agriculture Ministry building. For three weeks, Iraq has barred U.N. weapons inspectors from looking for hidden biological weapons documents or facilities, as well as missile plans. Baghdad can possibly defuse the standoff by agreeing to allow a small team of experts in Iraq. MORTGAGE RATES HEAD LOWER: Bad news from the bond market is pushing down mortgage rates, which have been standing still for two weeks. The U.S. average mortgage rate, at 8.09% last week, could break below 8% next week. Some lenders dropped mortgage rates Thursday as bond yields fell on news of increased jobless claims. Mortgage rates follow bond yields because lenders pool loans into securities that compete with bonds. MOTHER'S CONVICTION THROWN OUT: The Florida Supreme Court Thursday threw out the conviction of crack addict Jennifer Johnson. The decision marked the second time a state's highest court has ruled women could not be charged with delivering substances to their baby through the umbilical cord just after birth. Johnson, the mother of four children, was convicted on two felony charges of delivering cocaine to minors. CENSUS TO RELEASE GRIM FIGURES: The Census Bureau Friday will release statistics showing that black children are three times as likely to be poor as white kids. Also, half of Native American households earn less than $20,000 a year; fewer than half of Hispanic adults 25 and over have a high school diploma; Asians, the USA's most economically successful minority group, saw poverty rise during the 1980s. BAKER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TALKS: Secretary of State James Baker said Thursday after talks with Syrian President Hafez Assad that he saw no obstacle to direct talks between Israel and its Arab foes resuming soon. In Washington, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said he is optimistic Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and President Bush can wrap up a loan-guarantee agreement when they meet next month. CALIF. BANKS STOP TAKING IOUS: Some of Callfornia's biggest banks announced Thursday they will stop honoring the state's IOUs at the end of the month. The decision by the Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Union Bank, increases pressure on Gov. Pete Wilson and the Legislature to agree on a $56 billion budget, stalled by a stalemate over cuts in aid to schools and local governments. ABORTION APPOINTEE CAUSES STIR: Kansas Gov. Joan Finney is being criticized for appointing as the state's abortion-reporting compliance officer a parolee who was sent to prison for molesting a 14-year-old girl over an 11-month period. Finney, a Democrat and strong opponent of abortion, said she picked Herbert Ketterman, 65, for the job because of his neutrality on the abortion issue. INTERIOR READIES TO FIGHT FIRES: Bracing for forest fire conditions "as bad as it has been in modern history," the U.S. Interior Department is cranking up manpower and technology. Added: 100 new fire crews, 400 "wildland" fire engines and a communication center in Washington, D.C. to monitor fires and weather. Greatest danger: The Northwest, northern California, the Great Basin and Northern Rockies. TRASH TRAIN HAS NEW TROUBLES: A judge Thursday gave TENNSV Inc. - responsible for the "P.U. Choo Choo" trash train that toured the Midwest for three weeks - until July 31 to finish unloading a second train of New York trash parked in Sauget, Ill., since June 25. Illinois wants $350,000 in fines levied against TENNSV Inc., Conrail and the rail yard owner. DIRTY WATER SHUTS BEACHES: Fouled waters prompted states to close beaches more than 2,000 times in 1991, according to a survey by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Prime culprits: Sewage, agricultural runoff and boat wastes. The environmental group said 10 states rarely test for bacteria. Urged: Tough national bacteria standards, mandatory testing, and public notice when pollution levels are too high. FROM TEXAS EAST TO BE TROPICAL: Warm, muggy weather will persist across Texas through the Southeast and mid-Atlantic this weekend. Late-day thunderstorms can be expected throughout the regions. A cold front will slide into the northern Plains and Great Lakes, and showers will yield to warm, dry weather across the northern Rockies Saturday and Sunday. The Northwest can expect cloudy, cooler conditions by Sunday. DOW JONES OPENS ON UPSWING: The Dow Jones average of 30 industrials opens Friday at 3290.04 after closing up 12.43 points Thursday. The New York Stock Exchange composite opens at 226.66, up 0.53. The American Stock Exchange market value opens at 382.50, down 0.67. The NASDAQ OTC composite opens at 565.24, down 1.36. News Editor: William Snoddy. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution purposes violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM