In brief: Jackson won’t run for mayor

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., whose career and personal life have been buffeted by political controversy, said Monday he would not run for Chicago mayor in the upcoming election.

Jackson, 45, says he plans to continue on as a representative from the 2nd Congressional District, which includes the South Side and the south suburbs. One of his top issues has been trying to get federal and state support for a third regional airport near his district.

Discovery’s last flight set for Monday

CAPE CANVERAL, Fla. – NASA made it official Monday: Shuttle Discovery will launch on an 11-day mission to the International Space Station next Monday. If all goes according to plan, it will be Discovery’s last flight before becoming a museum piece.

Over the weekend, engineers successfully replaced suspect seals in the orbital maneuvering system – the twin engines in the shuttle’s tail that are used to steer the ship on orbit. Workers noticed an on-again, off-again fuel leak in the engines last week but believe they have fixed it.

Porn industry subject of health forum

OAKLAND, Calif. – Public health advocates, porn industry representatives and former performers gathered in Oakland on Monday to discuss workplace protection law regarding blood-borne pathogens and come a step closer to determining whether a regulation requiring condom use on adult film sets is necessary.

Current state law regarding blood-borne pathogens applies across industries. While it does require employers take measures to protect workers – including “barrier protection” – a recent HIV-positive test for a Los Angeles area porn performer has catalyzed a discussion on the need for changes to the law and stricter enforcement in the lucrative industry.

Boys may be charged in crash, death

LOS ANGELES – Three boys in a BMW on Monday ran a red light, hit and killed a pedestrian and broadsided a school bus that flipped on its side, leaving the bus driver and 18 students injured, authorities said.

The three juveniles fled on foot and were caught by a construction worker, who held them until police arrived and detained them, Police Chief Charlie Beck said at a news conference.

The three boys in the BMW were hospitalized Monday night with injuries suffered in the crash, California Highway Patrol spokesman Miguel Luevano said.

The driver could be facing felony hit-and-run and manslaughter charges and the passengers could face conspiracy charges for fleeing the scene, Luevano said.

Missing girl’s father arrested

HICKORY, N.C. – The father of a missing 10-year-old disabled girl was arrested Monday on several charges unrelated to the girl’s disappearance.

Police believe Zahra Baker, who was reported missing Oct. 9, is dead. She uses hearing aids and has a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer.

Her father, Adam Baker, 33, is facing one count each of assault with a deadly weapon and failure to return rental property; two counts of communicating threats and five counts of writing worthless checks.