Headlines for Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Louisiana businesses say BP negligent on payment for services
In Louisiana, St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro says that the parish's oil spill command center has received a notice to vacate, because BP has not paid the management company for use of the land and other services.  FSRN’s Zoe Sullivan has more.

The Hopedale Command Center in St. Bernard Parish faces eviction next Friday because BP hasn't paid its bills.  Amigo Enterprises manages the site, which is an access point for boats to the coastal area of the parish.

Parish President Craig Taffaro said in a press conference Tuesday evening that BP owes Amigo Enterprises more than $3 million dollars for everything from rent, fuel for boats, and use of a crane.  He also said that the firm had fronted nearly $1 million for security provided by off-duty St. Bernard Sheriff's Office deputies.  According to the Times-Picayune, the company is partially owned by the Parish Sheriff, Jack Stephens and a former deputy.

Taffaro also cited other locations where payments had been delayed.  Neither the Parish President nor BP responded to FSRN requests for interviews.  Zoe Sullivan, FSRN, New Orleans.

AK Senator Lisa Murkowski concedes Republican nomination
Senator Lisa Murkowski has conceded the Alaskan Republican senate nomination to Tea Party-backed Joe Miller.  Elections last week left Murkowski trailing by less than 2000 votes.  She did not concede, waiting on elections officials to count absentee ballots.  In the end, Murkowski could not close the gap.  Despite the loss, there is speculation that Murkowski will run as an independent.  If so, she and Miller would face Democrat Scott McAdams in the November election.

More lawmakers accused of ethics violations
The Office of Congressional ethics has asked the House ethics panel to investigate three members of Congress, saying they made fundraising appeals to Wall Street at the same time the House was voting on the financial system overhaul.  The ethics body cites Republicans John Campbell of California and Tom Price of Georgia, as well as New York Democrat Joseph Crowley.

In other ethics news, Texas Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson says she will return nearly $200,000 in scholarship money intended for needy students, but instead awarded to her family members and those of her staff.  The Democrat says she did not intentionally violate ethics rules.

Federal court temporarily blocks Orlando ordinance banning the public feeding of homeless people
Advocates for homeless people in Orlando can legally resume passing out food in public parks after a federal appeals court ruled in their favor.  From WMNF Community Radio in Tampa, Seán Kinane reports.

Four years ago, the City of Orlando passed an ordinance banning groups from feeding people in public parks.  But homeless advocates challenged the local law in court.  Tuesday’s ruling puts Orlando’s ordinance on hold until 10 judges of the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals can hear the case.

But not all homeless advocates favor park feedings.  Muffet Robinson is a spokesperson for the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.  She supports the city’s ordinance banning groups like churches and Food Not Bombs from public feedings in major parks, like downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola park.

“We understand their motives.  And we feed every single day.  We do so only a couple blocks from Lake Eola.  And we really believe that addressing homeless is much more than a meal.”

Robinson says public feedings could discourage homeless people from seeking more comprehensive services.  Some in favor of public feedings feel this sentiment comes from groups being territorial of the services they provide.

A ruling will likely not come for another six months, and the case could eventually be appealed to the US Supreme Court.  Seán Kinane, FSRN, Tampa.

Cross-border skirmish between Azerbaijan and Armenian troops threatens delicate peace
Tensions are rising between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces on the disputed Karabakh border.  At least 2 solders died and one was wounded during a firefight last night.  FSRN’s Garegin Khumaryan reports.

Although, clashes on the border have been taking place quite often, it’s rare for troops to actually attempt to cross into the other territory.  The ethnic-Armenian Karabakh region declared its independence from Azerbaijan when the Soviet Union fell, but has not gained international recognition.  Disputes over the territory remain unresolved.

Each side blames the other for imitating the attack, but an eyewitness from the Karabakh side says the Azerbaijani soldiers had crossed into the neutral border area and were attempting to enter Armenian-controlled territory.

The incident happened on the eve of the Russian president’s visit to Azerbaijan to discuss border issues.  Tomorrow is also the celebrations of the 19th anniversary of Karabakh’s declared liberation.  Garegin Khumaryan, FSRN, Armenia.

Alleged WikiLeaks source undergoes mental evaluation
The lawyer of the Army Specialist who allegedly leaked classified materials to WikiLeaks says the soldier had mental health issues.  The lawyer says Bradley Manning experienced a decline in mental stability while serving in Iraq, which was noted by his commanding officers.  Manning could avoid a court martial if a mental health evaluation upholds the claim.