In brief: Media decry lack of photo access to Obama

Nearly 40 news organizations have accused the Obama administration of improperly controlling images of the president by limiting the access granted to independent photojournalists while allowing free rein by the White House’s own photographers.

In a letter and a meeting last week, the news outlets and journalism groups complained to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney about the practice, saying the White House has prevented an unvarnished view of government business.

Limitations on photographers’ access to President Barack Obama create “a troubling precedent with a direct and adverse impact on the public’s ability to independently monitor and see what its government is doing,” charged the letter from the 38 organizations.

Former Crystal Cathedral to close for construction

Garden Grove, Calif. – The former Crystal Cathedral will close to the public as it undergoes a transformation from a space built as a television studio as much as a sanctuary into the spiritual home for the Orange County Catholic community of more than 1.2 million people.

Beginning Sunday, the newly named Christ Cathedral will be closed for construction as crews launch a $29 million effort to restore the more than 75,000-square-foot space.

The Diocese of Orange has been working with liturgical consultants and architects to modify the church.

Plane pot drop thwarted; two men arrested

San Diego – An attempt to smuggle marijuana into the U.S. by an airdrop from an ultralight aircraft was thwarted, the Border Patrol said.

Two men were arrested and 260 pounds of marijuana were seized near Brown Field Municipal Airport in southern San Diego County. The marijuana was in 10 bundles inside a cargo cage dropped from the ultralight, authorities said.

After dropping its load of pot, the ultralight did not land and was tracked returning to Mexico.