Free Republic

Jurors selected to hear the upcoming criminal case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich will have their identities withheld from the public until they reach a verdict, the judge who’ll oversee Blagojevich’s trial said Monday. In a meeting with reporters about news-gathering procedures for the trial, U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel expressed concern that people might email or otherwise barrage jurors with opinions about Blagojevich, who has made numerous television and radio appearances since his December 2008 arrest. Jurors are not supposed to discuss trials — or even view news coverage about them — outside of court. Similarly, Zagel said...

Congressional candidates air similar views Area chambers hold forum By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL The two candidates for District 19 U.S. representative struck a similar chord Tuesday in a live television forum, each one sounding like a conservative Republican with interests in agriculture, energy and job creation. Both Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, and Mike Conaway, R-Midland, came away sounding knowledgable but also in agreement on issues of taxation, local control over water and education, homeland security and other issues. The candidates competing to succeed U.S. Rep. Larry Combest, R-Lubbock, appeared at a forum featuring one panelist each from the Lubbock, Midland, Odessa...