In brief: Paper: Funds end up with Taliban

WASHINGTON – Money from a multibillion-dollar U.S. transportation contract in Afghanistan has made its way into the hands of the Taliban, the Washington Post reported Sunday, citing an unreleased investigation by the U.S. military.

The Post said the probe found evidence of “involvement in a criminal enterprise or support of the enemy” by four of the eight companies contracted by the U.S. to provide transportation services in Afghanistan. It also said contractors were involved in money laundering, profiteering, kickbacks and fraudulent paperwork.

The newspaper said all eight of the companies are still working on the $2.16 billion contract, designed in part to promote Afghan businesses.

In one case, intelligence officials traced $3.3 million through a series of subcontractors, an Afghan National Police commander, and eventually to insurgents in the form of cash, weapons and explosives, the Post reported.

A U.S. defense official told the Post that the transport system will be radically revised after the trucking contract expires in September.

Grizzly mauls teens in survival course

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A grizzly that was with her cub attacked teens participating in a survival skills course, badly injuring two in the group, Alaska State Troopers said.

The teens were among seven students participating in a 30-day backcountry course by the National Outdoor Leadership School when the attack occurred Saturday night about 120 miles north of Anchorage. They were rescued early Sunday.

NOLS spokesman Bruce Palmer said another group of seven students and three instructors were waiting about six miles away for a helicopter hired by the organization.

Palmer said 17-year-old Joshua Berg, of New City, N.Y., and 17-year-old Samuel Gottsegen, of Denver, were the worst injured with bear bite wounds. They are listed in serious condition at an Anchorage hospital.

41 quit, retire over cheating scandal

ATLANTA – Atlanta school officials say 41 educators accused in a cheating scandal have resigned or retired.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that, according to district data, 13 educators have left since the state issued a scathing report detailing cheating. The report alleged cheating on standardized tests dating back to 2001 in nearly half of the district’s 100 schools.

The report implicated 178 educators.