National and State News-Wednesday, April 25th

DALLAS (AP) - Nine people are dead from a ferocious storm that roared across the Mexican border into Texas last night. At least six were killed in the Eagle Pass, Texas, area. The twister
destroyed about 20 homes and an elementary school, along with a sewer treatment plant. More than 70 people were hurt in Texas.

BAGHDAD (AP) - A U-N report released today says Baghdad continues to endure high levels of violence. It's the first human rights report issued since the troop surge was launched in mid-February in the Iraqi capital. Civilian casualties remain high.

WASHINGTON (AP) - U-S troops would have to begin leaving Iraq by October First, according to a war funding bill the House votes on today. Democrats predict enough votes for passage. President Bush promises to veto the measure.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) - Arizona Senator John McCain has a big speech today in New Hampshire. He'll officially begin his second bid for the presidency and make his case for why he should be the Republican nominee. The former P-O-W says he's the most experienced
candidate in the field.

MOSCOW (AP) - Former U-S Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton were among those at today's funeral for former Russian president Boris Yeltsin. Some two-dozen white-robed priests presided over the ceremony in a Moscow cathedral. The current Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, also attended.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Look for Democrats in Congress to dig deeper into the firings of eight federal prosecutors. The House Judiciary Committee today will consider whether to subpoena York County, Pennsylvania, native Monica Goodling, a former aide to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, or grant her immunity from prosecution.

ANNVILLE, Pa. (AP) - The remains of an American soldier who died in a prison camp during the Korean War are to be buried today in central Pennsylvania. Miltary officials say Clarence Robert Becker was a 19-year-old private when he disappeared on December first, 1950, after his convoy was ambushed.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state senator says lawmakers are unlikely to pass Governor Ed Rendell's proposal to expand state-subsidized insurance through a new business payroll tax.
Senator Jake Corman says it's because of questions about its legality and its effect on businesses. Corman says he doesn't know of anyone in the House or the Senate who will vote for the tax.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Black lawmakers are demanding a police investigation of a banner held at a gun rights rally in the state Capitol. The banner called for the author of a gun-registration bill to be "hung from the tree of liberty." The head to the Legislative Black Caucus says that's a threat to a collegue's life -- and also an act of racism.

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) - Lawrence County prosecutors say D-N-A evidence collected from the body of a woman found dumped in a gravel parking lot last month has led investigators to charge a man who lived near the victim. Prosecutors have charged Gaylord Spell of New Castle with homicide and abuse of a corpse in connection with Sueann Brest's death.