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New York Post apologizes for, yet still defends, chimp cartoon

A day after publishing a cartoon that drew fire from critics who said it evoked historically racist images, the New York Post apologized in a statement on its Web site — even as it defended its action and blasted some detractors. Many of those critical of the cartoon said it appeared to compare President Barack Obama to a chimpanzee in a commentary on his recently approved economic stimulus package. “Wednesday’s Page Six cartoon — caricaturing Monday’s police shooting of a chimpanzee in Connecticut — has created considerable controversy,” the paper said about the drawing, which shows two police officers standing over the body of a chimpanzee they just shot

Racism row over chimp cartoon sparks debate

Racist, unfunny, hilarious, confusing, lame.

Roy Blunt’s announcement sets up showdown in Missouri

Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt Thursday announced his intention to run for a seat in the U.S. Senate, a move that sets up what is likely to be a showdown between two prominent families in one of the country’s most politically divided states.

How Stressed Is Your Bank?

For months, customers and investors have wondered if their banks will survive. The government may soon give its opinion

Drugs suspected in teen’s death at Fort Lewis barracks, Army says

Army investigators suspect drugs played a role in the death of a 16-year-old girl found unconscious with another teenage girl at a closed barracks, a spokesman for the investigation said Wednesday. The incident happened last weekend at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington, as the girls were visiting an acquaintance at the barracks, which are closed to the public, according to Chris Grey, a spokesman for the base’s Criminal Investigation Command.

Sharpton blasts Post cartoon linking stimulus bill to chimp

A New York Post cartoon Wednesday drew fire from civil rights activist Al Sharpton and others who say the drawing invokes historically racist images in suggesting an ape wrote President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package. The artist, Sean Delonas, called Sharpton’s reaction “ridiculous,” and the newspaper defended its decision to run his cartoon

Kansas budget standoff ends, but other states in limbo

Kansas leaders Wednesday ended a standoff that had delayed tax refunds and state paychecks by agreeing to borrow $225 million from various state accounts, a spokeswoman for the governor’s office said. Republican lawmakers approved moving money into the state’s main account to pay the bills after budget cuts agreed to by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, spokeswoman Brittany Stiffler said

Will Burris Be the Next to Fall in the Blagojevich Scandal?

One can forgive the voting public of Illinois for not knowing whether to laugh or cry these days. Just when it seemed that the Rod Blagojevich corruption scandal might actually recede from the spotlight, with the accused governor booted out of office and his seemingly unimpeachable Senate pick Roland Burris firmly ensconced in Washington, comes another baffling chapter in the saga.

California can’t solve budget crisis

California lawmakers worked into early Wednesday but couldn’t pass a budget to avoid the possibility of laying off 10,000 more state workers. Lawmakers brought blankets and toothbrushes to work Tuesday, planning to stay as long as it took to pass a budget, but as of 2 a.m. PT (5 a.m

Lessons Obama learned from stimulus deal

President Obama will pitch his plans this week for dealing with record home foreclosures and trying to thaw frozen credit markets — and taking some key lessons learned into consideration. Aides said the White House has learned several lessons from the fight over the economic stimulus plan, including that the president is better at selling his ideas when he gets out of Washington.