Free Republic

<p>A federal judge refused to shut down more than $100 million in Yosemite Valley construction projects, saying environmental arguments for delay in a long-running lawsuit were unconvincing.</p> <p>But U.S. District Court Judge Anthony W. Ishii did order Yosemite National Park to decide a limit on how many people could visit the sensitive Merced River, which runs through the glacial valley.</p>

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The city's public housing agency is trying to resolve a lengthy dispute by accommodating the needs of a 772-pound tenant immobilized by her weight. Carmen Bowen, 44, has been involved in a two-year dispute with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority over how much work must be done to help her move around her apartment. The agency is about to provide her with a handicapped-accessible apartment with extra space to allow an oversized wheelchair to turn. Bowen lives with her 19-year-old son and a caregiver. Still, Bowen filed a discrimination complaint, saying the agency took too long. Housing...

<p>The boom in Indian casino gambling has sparked new scrutiny from the Bay Area to the nation's Capitol -- and fears among tribal leaders that the intense attention will hurt an industry that has lifted many of their people out of abject and historic poverty.</p>

<p>Civic leaders in the South Bay historically have been in the forefront of campaigns to give voters more flexible tools in funding infrastructure. For example, the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group recently announced plans to take an initiative to the ballot to lower the vote threshold for special purpose taxes. The California Legislature is considering similar proposals.</p>

<p>Gov. Gray Davis' proposal to raise the state sales by a penny could threaten plans to bring BART to San Jose.</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis' proposal to raise the state sales tax by a penny would be a huge blow to counties throughout California that are banking on raising their own taxes to fund traffic improvements.</p>

<p>SACRAMENTO - Gov. Gray Davis on Wednesday directed state agencies to monitor their own technology projects in coming months as state officials develop a new agency to oversee California's technology systems after the demise of the Department of Information Technology.</p>

$5.5 Million Available for Coral Conservation WASHINGTON, DC, May 16, 2002 (ENS) - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking proposals for coral reef conservation projects in the U.S. and around the world. About $5.5 million, including $5.15 million from NOAA and $350,000 from the Department of Interior, may be available through NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, as authorized by the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. "Providing grant funds to state and local entities to conserve coral reefs is an essential part of the federal government's overall strategy to protect and restore these precious marine...