Harris to stay in Senate race
U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris plans to spend $10 million she inherited from her father in her race to unseat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, she announced Wednesday night.
Harris ended speculation that she would quit the race on Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes.” Rumors swirled that she would withdraw after her name was associated with a defense contractor who bribed another congressman.
Harris has been under mounting pressure from Republicans to get out of the race because of concerns that she cannot win and that her role as Florida’s secretary of state during the 2000 presidential recount could drive Democrats and independents to the polls in droves.
A University of North Florida poll released hours before her television appearance showed Harris 20 percentage points behind opponent Bill Nelson, 48 percent to 28 percent.
Pismo Beach, Calif.
Gunman kills two in Denny’s
A man armed with two handguns opened fire inside a Denny’s restaurant during the lunch hour Wednesday, killing two people and wounding a married couple before taking his own life, police said.
As many as 15 people were inside the restaurant at the time, authorities said. Many ran or hid in bathrooms for safety.
The gunman was identified as Lawrence E. Woods, 60, who was believed to be living in his car.
Washington
Port operations to be sold to U.S.
A Dubai-owned company announced Wednesday it will sell all its U.S. port operations within four to six months to an American buyer, providing new details about its sales plans that were forced by congressional concerns over terrorism security.
Lawmakers who criticized the Bush administration for approving DP World’s earlier plans to operate in the United States said they were satisfied. Still, the House voted 377-38 Wednesday to formally express its opposition to DP World running any port terminals in America.
DP World, the world’s third-largest ports company, said that until the sale is finalized, its U.S. businesses will operate independently. The announcement was the first time it described its plans for the newly acquired U.S. operations as a “sale” to a single, unrelated American buyer and indicated it would retain no stake.
Borger, Texas
High winds feed Texas wildfires
Stiff winds pushed wildfires deeper into the parched Texas Panhandle on Wednesday, threatening six small towns and prompting authorities to urge 3,000 people to evacuate their homes.
Firefighters were frustrated by winds that gusted up to 30 mph, some of the strongest since wildfires began racing across the plains northeast of Amarillo on Sunday.
About 840,000 acres have burned since Sunday, and 11 people have been killed. An estimated 10,000 horses and cattle have also died in the fires.
Fresno, Calif.
Robert Kennedy’s killer denied parole
Sirhan Sirhan, who shot Robert F. Kennedy to death in 1968, was denied parole Wednesday for the 13th time since his conviction.
Sirhan is “very hostile. He hates Americans. … He continues to pose a risk to public safety,” said state Board of Parole Hearings spokesman Tip Kindel.