In brief: Adoptions more open, study finds

New York – The secrecy that long shrouded adoption has given way to openness, and only about 5 percent of infant adoptions in the U.S. now take place without some ongoing relationship between the biological parent and adoptive family, according to a comprehensive new report.

Based on a survey of 100 adoption agencies, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute said in a report today that the new norm is for biological parents considering adoption to meet with prospective adoptive parents and pick the new family for their baby.

Of the roughly 14,000 to 18,000 infant adoptions each year, about 55 percent are fully open, with the parties agreeing to ongoing contact that includes the child, the report said. About 40 percent are “mediated” adoptions in which the adoption agency facilitates periodic exchanges of pictures and letters, but there is typically no direct contact among the parties.

Ike’s family objects to memorial plans

Washington – Architect Frank Gehry said he is open to changes to a planned Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in Washington to address objections from the 34th president’s family that the design doesn’t put enough emphasis on his achievements as president and World War II military leader.

Eisenhower family members shared their concerns at a House subcommittee hearing Tuesday, where a letter from Gehry was also introduced as testimony.

Gehry’s design calls for a memorial park framed by large metal tapestries depicting Eisenhower’s boyhood home in Kansas. Two large, carved stones would depict Ike as president and as military hero, and a statue of a young Eisenhower would appear to marvel at what his life would become. The memorial would be built just off the National Mall, near the National Air and Space Museum.

The family objects to the tapestries and to depicting Eisenhower in his youth, saying it focuses too much on his humble roots, rather than his accomplishments as Republican president from 1953 to 1961 and as supreme Allied commander in Europe during World War II.

Wisconsin booms are mystifying

Milwaukee – A series of mysterious underground booms have been rattling an eastern Wisconsin city for at least two nights, baffling residents and local officials who have ruled out theories from earthquakes to water pressure problems.

The noises – described as rumbles of thunder, sonic booms or fireworks – were reported in northeast Clintonville, about 140 miles northwest of Milwaukee, starting Sunday night. The booms had quieted down at daybreak but started back up Monday night farther south and west and continued until about 5 a.m. Tuesday, City Administrator Lisa Kuss said.

“There’s no warning; it’s just ‘bam,’ ” Kuss said. “I would describe it as startling, an adrenaline rush. … Your heart is instantaneously kind of racing because you are not expecting it.”

Harold Tobin, a University of Wisconsin-Madison seismologist, said there are similar reports of booms in different parts of the U.S. and world from time to time. Sometimes they’re explained; sometimes they’re not, he said.

“I’m as intrigued and as puzzled as other people are,” he said Tuesday.

A seismic station near Clintonville has recorded unusual ground shaking since Sunday night.