In brief: Commerce Secretary steps down
WASHINGTON – Commerce Secretary John Bryson has resigned, saying the seizure that he suffered on June 9 that led to two Southern California hit-and-run accidents could be a distraction in the job.
Bryson informed Obama of his decision on Wednesday night, and the president announced Thursday that he had accepted Bryson’s resignation.
Bryson, 68, a former chief executive at Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, was found unconscious on June 9 behind the wheel of his Lexus. He had hit two cars, one of them twice, authorities said. Bryson was hospitalized overnight, and tests showed no drugs or alcohol were involved.
Two days later, the Commerce Department said Bryson had suffered a seizure, and he took a medical leave. He had been commerce secretary since October.
Daniels picks Purdue; over national post
West Lafayette, Ind. – Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels was hailed as a visionary who could bring innovation despite his lack of academic credentials as he was introduced Thursday as the next president of Purdue University, quashing speculation he could be the GOP nominee for vice president.
Purdue officials announced the former White House budget director and Eli Lilly executive would be the university’s 12th president following a unanimous vote by the school’s Board of Trustees, eight of whom were appointed by Daniels. One trustee was out of the country and did not vote.
Daniels will take office in January once his second term as governor expires. He said his appointment ends the possibility that presumptive nominee Mitt Romney might tap him as a running mate or, if elected, to a Cabinet post. He said he won’t be involved in partisan politics after making one last out-of-state appearance this weekend.
Polygamist sect at center of suit
Salt Lake City – Authorities in a pair of polygamous Utah-Arizona border towns have supported a campaign of intimidation against the unfaithful, denying them housing and municipal services and allowing members of the dominant religious sect to destroy their crops and property, the U.S. Justice Department said in a lawsuit Thursday.
The federal civil rights case was filed against the towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., where most residents are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The federal lawsuit accuses the towns of violating the federal Fair Housing Act by depriving non-sect members of their constitutional rights. It seeks unspecified damages for victims, penalties levied against the towns, and court orders prohibiting officials from harassing residents who were never FLDS members, left the sect on their own or were excommunicated.