Author: Ken Thomas
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Colorado movie theater rampage shakes up campaign
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The deadly shooting spree in Colorado consumed the presidential campaign Friday, sidetracking a bitter political contest with a tragedy that at least temporarily brought the candidates together in common purpose. “There are going to be other days for politics,” a somber President Barack Obama said. The president and Republican challenger Mitt…
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Colorado movie theater rampage shakes up campaign
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save FORT MYERS, Fla. — The deadly shooting spree in Colorado consumed the presidential campaign Friday, sidetracking a bitter political contest with a tragedy that at least temporarily brought the candidates together in common purpose. “There…
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Obama seeks to undercut Romney’s record on jobs
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is casting Mitt Romney as a greedy, job-killing corporate titan with little concern for the working class in a new, multi-pronged effort that seeks to undermine the central rationale for his Republican rival’s candidacy: his business credentials. At the center of the push – the president’s most forceful attempt yet…
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SPIN METER: Dems rake in special interest dollars
EDITOR’S NOTE: An occasional look behind the rhetoric of public officials. WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has sworn off special-interest money to pay for his re-election bid. But it turns out those dollars are fair game for congressional Democrats — to the tune of millions. An Associated Press analysis of campaign fundraising found that Democrats…
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Gov’t issues safety caution for 15-passenger vans
WASHINGTON (AP) – The government is issuing a consumer advisory for motorists using 15-passenger vans following fatal crashes in Georgia and New York. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says users of the vans need to ensure that the tires are properly inflated before every trip, and the vans are maintained and not overloaded.…
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High safety scores now harder for trucks and cars
WASHINGTON (AP) – New cars and trucks will have to work harder to make the grade in the government’s safety ratings program. The Transportation Department said the upgrades to the 5-Star Safety Rating System will make it more difficult for new vehicles to earn top scores of five stars. Consumers use the so-called “Stars…
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Government looking at 62 mpg goal for 2025 autos
WASHINGTON — The new cars and trucks sold in 2025 may be required to average 62 miles per gallon as a group, far surpassing the fuel efficiency of current high-mileage stars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrids. The government on Friday presented the potential range it is considering for fuel efficiency standards for…
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Obama administration issues fuel efficiency rules
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration set tougher gas mileage standards for new cars and trucks Thursday, spurring the next generation of fuel-sipping gas-electric hybrids, efficient engines and electric cars. The heads of the Transportation Department and the Environmental Protection Agency signed final rules setting fuel efficiency standards for model years 2012-2016, with a goal of…
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Toyota to expand recall of Tundra pickups for rust
WASHINGTON — Toyota said Tuesday it will expand a recall announced last year to fix Tundra pickup trucks with frames that could rust and lead to spare tires falling from the vehicle. Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said the recall will cover Tundra pickups from the 2000-2003 model years in all 50 states. It would broaden…
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Feds weighing brake overrides in all new cars
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Tuesday his agency may recommend that every new vehicle sold in the U.S. be equipped with brakes that can override the gas pedal. The idea seemed to be gaining support among lawmakers as Toyota officials returned for a third hearing on lethal safety defects. “We will not rest…