TSA to allow small knives, sport gear

TSA to allow small knives, sport gear

LOS ANGELES

For the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, federal airport screeners will allow passengers to carry onto a plane small knives as well as golf clubs, hockey sticks and pool cues.

The policy change, which will take effect April 25, immediately was criticized by flight attendants, who say the move will create an unnecessary risk and further crowd the already limited space in the overhead bins.

In a statement, the Transportation Security Administration said the change will help align the list of prohibited items on U.S. flights with those of international carriers and cut the time passengers spend going through security screening.

Kin: Woman chose no intervention

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

The family of a California woman who died after a nurse at her independent-living home refused to provide CPR says she chose to live in a facility without medical staff and wanted to pass away without life- prolonging intervention.

The family of Lorraine Bayless told The Associated Press they do not plan to sue the facility where the 87-year-old woman died last week.

The family says they understand the widely played 911 tape in which a dispatcher pleads with a nurse to start CPR “has caused concern” nationwide.

The statement says the family regrets that “this private and personal time has been escalated by the media.”

Bayless’ death has prompted multiple state and local investigations.

FBI asked to probe candidate’s death

JACKSON, Miss.

A Mississippi congressman is asking the FBI to review the slaying of an openly gay mayoral candidate to determine if any federal laws might have been violated.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson’s district includes Clarksdale, where Marco McMillian was running. McMillian, 34, was found slain last week in a rural area nearby.

Thompson, a Democrat, said Tuesday that he has confidence in the sheriff investigating the death but that he wants the FBI to get involved because that’s what McMillian’s family wants.

2 steal cookie cash from Girl Scouts

TUCSON, Ariz.

Two Tucson-area Girl Scout troops were crime victims as thieves grabbed and ran off with the troops’ cash boxes from cookie sales.

In one case, two women spoke with girls selling cookies outside a grocery store before one woman grabbed the cash box containing about $375. The women fled in a car that had its license plate covered.

In the second case, a man grabbed a box with about $250 from a troop’s table outside a bookstore. He ran off and hopped a nearby fence.

Ore. man charged with aiding bomber

PORTLAND, Ore.

FBI agents Tuesday arrested a Portland man who works for the city on allegations that he provided support to a suicide bomber who participated in a 2009 attack in Pakistan that killed about 30 people and injured another 300.

Reaz Qadir Khan, 48, was arrested at his home and charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall said. Khan is a waste-treatment plant operator for the city of Portland. A spokesman for Mayor Charlie Hales didn’t immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Khan was jailed pending a detention hearing scheduled for this afternoon.

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