 "Photo: AP")
Representative temporarily resigns from House committee
WASHINGTON - Rep. John Doolittle, whose house was searched by the FBI in an influence-peddling investigation, said Thursday he will step down temporarily from the House Appropriations Committee.
The announcement by the nine-term California Republican came one day after the disclosure that agents had raided his home in Oakton, Va. In the search last Friday, the FBI had a warrant for information connected with a fundraising business run by Doolittle's wife, Julie, that had done work for convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
N.H. governor says he'll sign bill to allow for civil unions
CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch said Thursday he will sign legislation establishing civil unions for gay couples in New Hampshire.
"I believe it is a matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination," Lynch told The Associated Press.
New Hampshire would become the fourth state to adopt civil unions, following Connecticut, Ver-mont and New Jersey. Massachu-setts has established gay marriage.
Lynch had previously declined to take a public position on civil unions, though he has supported expanding health benefits to same-sex partners of state workers. He came under fire from both sides for not weighing in - especially after a delay last week of the Senate vote on the House-passed bill.
Manufacturers expect record number of doses of flu shots
ATLANTA - Flu vaccine manufacturers expect to have a record 132 million doses ready for the 2007-2008 flu season, and even more could be available if a fifth company joins their ranks, officials said Thursday.
CSL Biotherapies, an Australian company, applied last month for federal approval to sell its flu vaccine in the United States this fall.
Government health officials have been expanding their flu shot recommendations to cover more age groups, and they now say that more than 200 million Americans should get vaccinated each year. But setbacks in recent years - including vaccine delays and shortages - have left doctors and patients soured and confused.
Compiled from Associated Press reports
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