Gymbal offers praise for Pergich

Sauvienne, Lial--Nationalist Governor Todd Pergich (Lial) won some rare praise today--from his predecessor, former Gov. Gavin Gymbal, a prominent Conservative.

Speaking to the Collester Press Corps during a meeting with President Brenton Menuhaeo, Gymbal, who served as governor from 2006-2010 and subsequently was re-elected to his former Assembly seat of Mansill in southwestern Lial, told reporters Pergich is "doing relatively well" as governor.

"I'm really actually quite impressed with the job Todd Pergich is doing. He has governed, thus far, with an even-handed, common sense approach. He's been fiscally responsible and he has made public safety a top priority. The economy, I think, is still struggling in Lial, and I think there's a lot of improvement that could be made in that aspect, but overall, I think Todd Pergich is doing a reasonable job as governor, and I think Conservatives find him easier to work with than some of the former NAT governors we've had," said Gymbal.

Gymbal's flattering comments are rare for a state that is known for its bitter relations and fierce political battles between the two major parties. And his comments contrast sharply with his reputation as a fierce partisan.

"My vision of government and governance is not one of bitter feuds between the parties and a nasty rivalry. In my earlier days, I took pleasure in castigating the other side and engaging in political warfare with the opposition. But my time as governor really re-shaped my thinking. It challenged me to reach across the aisle, and I met many Nationalists in Clothen that were open-minded, independent-minded people, who love their state and embrace the common good rather than sticking to their party's agenda. That was a fundamental change in my thinking," Gymbal said.

"I've softened over the years," Gymbal said, laughing.

The assemblyman was meeting with President Menuhaeo to discuss agriculture, national security, and environmental issues. And though Gymbal was striking a bipartisan tone, he was not afraid to voice his differences with the NAT.

"The President and I have very different views on these issues. We do not see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues. But that doesn't prevent us from sitting down over a cup of tea and discussing the issues that are facing my constituents and the Grassadellian people," said Gymbal.

The President concurred with Gymbal's assessment.

"Over the years, Gavin and I have butted heads, frequently. But during that time, I think we've found some common ground and we've found that we can still be friends and have different view points. The people of Mansill are lucky to have Gavin Gymbal as their assemblyman," said Menuhaeo.

Pergich's office did not return calls or emails seeking comment on the matter.

But Gymbal's affectionate words for his successor cannot be helping the CNS, as it seeks to attack and undermine Pergich's standing with voters, as the incumbent governor is up for re-election in 2014.

Despite his praise for the incumbent, Gymbal stopped short of endorsing Pergich.

"I'm not endorsing anyone at this point. I'm simply saying, I think the governor is doing a good job on a number of issues. There are some areas where I think he could be doing better, primarily economic issues. I think I would be handling that differently. But he deserves to be recognized for the good work he is doing."

The Conservative party has yet to find a top-tier candidate to challenge Pergich, and party insiders say the race will likely be written off and resources devoted to races where Conservatives have a better chance of winning.

12 state Attorneys General target sexual performance drug makers

DEROSA, East Deschire--In a multi-state joint lawsuit, 12 state attorneys general are suing the makers of several sexual performance drugs.

The lawsuit claims the makers of eight sexual performance or enhancement drugs, for men and women, use false advertising. The suit also alleges some drugs being sold online have not been approved by the Pharmaceutical Safety Administration (PSA).

"A lot of these drug makers are using false promises to lure in customers. They're promising performance enhancement guarantees that just aren't factually true, and we've found several drugs that are being sold primarily on the internet, that are not even approved by the PSA, which presents a real danger to consumers," East Deschire Attorney General Rocky Morin told Vanguard News.

Morin is leading the lawsuit and concurrent investigation.

Many of the unknowing consumers who purchase these misleading or illegal drugs are senior citizens or teenagers, both age groups that may be at particular risk.

"Many senior citizens may be purchasing these drugs, unaware that these medications are not approved by the PSA. And these drug-makers know that senior citizens may be more vulnerable, so they target them," South Ceona Attorney General Patty Volston told the Lanakis Daily News.

"Teenagers and minors may be also at risk, because they may try to purchase they drugs without mom or dad knowing. And purchasing something online is not very difficult to do for a young person. That's especially dangerous because young people are unaware of what they're consuming as far as medication goes. They may be unaware of the risks and the dangers of consuming medication without doctor's orders," Volston continued.

The suit has not named the companies being sued, but eight legitimate companies are named in the suit, and at least a dozen non-approved medications are being targeted as well, according to Morin.

Federal police are also getting involved in the investigation, per the request of the 12 attorneys general.

In Grassadellia, more than 25,000 people are treated annually at emergency rooms and local clinics for side-effects from sexual enhancement/performance drugs.

More people may be suffering from side-effects and may not seek medical attention out of fear or embarrassment, according to the Grassadellian Medical Association (GMA).

In addition, a few thousand children (18 years and younger) are treated each year for using sexual performance drugs incorrectly or improperly, the GMA says.

4 men arrested on terrorism charges in Monvaille

MONVAILLE, Lial--Four men were arrested Friday morning in south Monvaille in connection with a terrorism plot, Crown Police confirmed.

Few details are being released at this hour, but Crown Police confirmed to national media outlets that four men, between the ages of 19 and 32, have been arrested after a months-long investigation by federal police.

The names of the suspects have not yet been released, but the CP says the suspects had been monitored by police for some time.

The plot allegedly involved detonating bombs on Monvaille's passenger rail system.

Crown Police Agent Dan Strawthers, who heads the CP's Monvaille Regional Office, told local media the men had purchased materials and explosives from undercover agents.

"This was a long, thought-out plan they were attempting to carry out. We intervened before their plan became reality," said Strawthers.

The men are being held in a federal detention center in the Monvaille area.

Today's unfolding events are eerily similar to those of August 2011, when a terrorist plot in Grassadellia City that was foiled by Crown Police. In that plot, six foreign-born men were arrested after planning to explode bombs on passenger trains and transit buses.

Officials have not confirmed if the men were acting in connection with an international terrorist organization, such as Al Qaeda, but Agent Strawthers said there is "a real possibility" that Al Qaeda or a similar group was involved.

"This could be something that is connected to a militant organization, or it could also just be a home-grown terrorism issue. We don't know yet for certain, but we are equally open to the possibility of either scenario," Strawthers said.

Monvaille's Mayor, Edgar Moreau, briefed reporters Friday afternoon, heralding law enforcement for preventing an attack.

"These men and women (in law enforcement) are the reason we can go about our daily lives and not live in fear, or worry about an attack. They are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure our safety and freedom," said Moreau.

Lial Governor Todd Pergich also issued a statement, lauding the work of the Crown Police.

"Today is yet another reminder that we live in an unpredictable world, filled with people that do not share our values of life and liberty. I am relieved that this attack was not carried out, and I join all Lialans in thanking the brave members of law enforcement who helped stop this plot in its tracks before it was too late," the governor said.

Collester responded Friday afternoon, saying President Brenton Menuhaeo was "bewildered" by the terrorism plot, but thankful the attack never occurred.

"Once again, Grassadellians stand together against terrorism and violence, and we emphatically declare that we value life and liberty and freedom in this country. We will not live in fear or be silenced by the threat of violence and intimidation," the statement from Collester read.

It's unclear when the suspects will make their first appearance in court, and the Justice Department must first decide if the suspects should be tried in civilian courts or in a military jurisdiction, which is usually used to prosecute "enemies of the state," or terrorists with international ties.

Bartholomew trails likely CNS opponents in polls

BROOKINGS, Biereland--A new poll released Monday cannot be good news for freshman Biereland Governor San Bartholomew (N), who is seeking re-election in 2014.

The Opinion Research poll shows Bartholomew trailing Attorney General Ben Jordan 44% to 56% in a hypothetical match-up.

Brookings Mayor Rich DeFrancesco, who has publicly said he would not run but is said to still be considering a bid, also tops Bartholomew, 45% to 54 percent.

And former Conservative Senator Bob Kozzy of Kensington, who leans more libertarian on many issues, narrowly leads Bartholomew, 49% to 51 percent.

Stuart Goodman, the veteran pollster who conducted the survey for Opinion Research, notes the numbers aren't good for Bartholomew, but it's still early.

"When you're an incumbent and you're running for re-election, you never want to see your numbers dip below 50 percent," said Goodman. "That being said, San Bartholomew still has time to turn around those numbers. We have eighteen months before the next election, and that is an eternity three times over in politics. The tables could very quickly turn in Bartholomew's favor in that long of a time period."

Bartholomew has been struggling in the polls mainly due to the poor economy in Biereland. He campaigned on a theme of fixing the economy and investing in state government after massive cuts during the administration of former Governor Jenny Duschowitz (C), whom Bartholomew defeated in 2010.

The incumbent governor has restored funding to many state agencies, but the economy has yet to make significant improvements. The state's unemployment rate stands at 8% and housing prices have yet to make marked gains.

Bartholomew also picked a fight with the timber and mining industries when he attempted to push strong environmental restrictions through the state legislature. His bill was passed narrowly, but only after being significantly pared down from its original version.

In the process of taking on the timber and mining sectors, Bartholomew not only alienated industry leaders but also took heat from local leaders and citizens in timber counties, particularly in the Upscotch Mountains region along the Biereland-Wellington state border, where timber is the life-blood for local economies.

The first-term Nationalist has focused on other issues too. In July 2011, he delivered on his campaign promise to legalize medical marijuana, something Conservatives bitterly opposed.

Following that legislative victory, Bartholomew recently endorsed a new effort to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Supporters of marijuana reform have drafted a referendum that will appear on the 2014 ballot, if they obtain enough signatures. The proposed law would make the possession of one ounce of marijuana legal for persons 21 and over.

Bartholomew has already thrown his support behind the measure, which would make Biereland the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana, if passed.

Conservatives see Bartholomew as vulnerable, however. With a struggling economy, a contentious social issue (marijuana legalization), and environmental restrictions they say hurt industry and prevent job growth, they believe Bartholomew is beatable in 2014, especially considering Biereland's more conservative political tilt.

Bartholomew won in 2010 in part due to a national anti-CNS mood among voters, but also because he attacked his opponent for presiding over a down-and-out economy--a strategy Conservatives hope to employ to defeat him in 2014.

And they have no shortage of potential candidates.

Front-runner Attorney General Ben Jordan is a hero among the party's base. He has taken a hard-line opposing the federal government and reinforcing state sovereignty. And he has targeted gambling and radical environmentalists in his first term as AG, something that has endeared him to the far-right.

He's been careful not to get too extreme, however. Something the party leadership appreciates, especially in light of Biereland voters' history of electing moderates.

But Jordan is facing strong opposition from former Federal Senator Bob Kozzy, who was defeated in his re-election bid in 2008.

A moderate, Kozzy favors lower taxes, less environmental restrictions, and a stream-lining of state government.

He does agree with Bartholomew on social issues, however. Most notably, he supports the legalization of recreational marijuana and is pro-choice.

The former senator has made his criticism of Ben Jordan loud and clear.

"Ben Jordan is an extreme right-wing, hyper-partisan figure. He's also an establishment figure. He campaigns on the idea of reforming state government and changing Brookings, but he's an insider. He's been in Brookings for years. Do we really think he's going to change the culture of Brookings?" Kozzy said to reporters last week.

Jordan and Kozzy are the only two declared Conservative candidates in the race thus far. Most political observers see Jordan as the more viable candidate, both among CNS primary voters and in the general election.

And then there's Brookings Mayor Rich DeFrancesco, who said back in January he would not run for governor in 2014, but is reportedly reconsidering, according to sources close to him.

Former Governor Jenny Duschowitz, who Bartholomew ousted in 2010, has also publicly declined to run for her old position.

Other prominent Biereland Conservatives, like Dick Klondis, CEO of the Klondis Beer Company; Driscoll Sherber, the former senator who lost re-election in 2010 amid a personal scandal and extramarital affair; and Pete Kolotano, the businessman and brother of former Federal Senator Steve Kolotano (N), could all enter the race, although a run by any of them seems unlikely.

One thing is clear though: San Bartholomew faces a difficult fight for re-election in 2014, no matter which Conservative opponent he faces in the general election.

Party infighting in the Conservative ranks, particularly between the campaigns of Ben Jordan and Bob Kozzy, will only help Bartholomew and damage his opponents. But the incumbent governor has work to do to repair his image with dissatisfied Bierelanders.

"It's not too late for San Bartholomew, not at all," pollster Stuart Goodman says. "But he needs to be at a 55% approval rating at the very minimum to get re-elected. Right now his approval rating is at 37%, and he's trailing all of his likely opponents. That does not bode well for an incumbent."

Mattinow Symphony cellist arrested for fellow musician's murder

MATTINOW, Damoign--The close-knit arts community in Mattinow is mourning the loss of a gifted musician.

Celia Anderson, 62, who played viola in the Mattinow Symphony, was found murdered over the weekend in her suburban Mattinow home.

Police in Randstable, an affluent suburb 10 miles southeast of Mattinow, were called to the home, which lies in a gated community, at 11:57 am Eastern time on Sunday.

A friend became concerned when Anderson did not respond to repeated calls and text messages.

That same friend then drove to Anderson's home and found the victim lying deceased on the dining room floor.

Police are tentatively saying the cause of death was multiple stab wounds, although blunt force trauma and strangulation may have also occurred.

A medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death Wednesday.

Initially, investigators were at a loss identifying possible suspects, as the victim was a beloved musician and upstanding citizen in Mattinow, and had no known enemies.

But upon examining the victim's cell phone and computer, investigators learned that Celia Anderson was actively socializing with men on the dating website eharmony.com.

And police noticed Anderson was also having a relationship with fellow symphony musician, 59-year-old cellist Anthony Zarcoti.

According to police, Anderson and Zarcoti had been dating on-and-off for over two years, and maintained a serious but often strained relationship.

Authorities immediately brought Zarcoti in for questioning. During an eight-hour-long interrogation session, Zarcoti admitted having a romantic relationship with the victim. He also confirmed their relationship was fraught with fighting and arguments, and that the two often "took a break" from seeing each other.

Most shockingly, Zarcoti told police he was at Anderson's home Saturday night before her death.

The two were sharing an "intimate evening" at Anderson's house, he said, which included watching TV, dinner and wine, and sex.

But toward the end of the night, Zarcoti said he and Celia Anderson got in an argument. Money was the subject that triggered the fight, he told police, but the conversation quickly turned to Celia's dating of other men.

Police believe the victim told Zarcoti she was dating other men, which enraged him. They believe he then used a kitchen knife to inflict multiple stab wounds on the victim.

"Anthony Zarcoti has acknowledged that he was at the victim's home on Saturday night. So logically, he is our prime suspect," Randstable Police Chief Ken Emerill told local media at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

"Furthermore, he has acknowledged that the two of them engaged in a heated argument. That presents a very clear motive and likely was what set Mr Zarcoti off and what triggered him to attack the victim," said Emerill.

Zarcoti has already hired a defense lawyer, Tom Raben, who told the Mattinow Aurora newspaper his client did engage in a verbal argument with the victim the night before she was found murdered, but the argument never turned violent.

"Anthony has been very forthright and forthcoming with the police. He told them openly and honestly that he went over to Celia's house on Saturday night. They had a romantic dinner, some wine, watched television, and had intimate relations with each other. They then began talking and money came up, which started an argument. The subject of Celia's dating life did come up also, which no doubt made Anthony uncomfortable and brought up a lot of emotions for him, and the two had a long discussion about it.

"At no point did this conversation turn violent. Anthony already knew Celia was dating other men. They'd already talked about it, so this was no news to him. But it was a sore subject that he didn't like to talk about. He didn't like hearing about her talking to other men. So he became upset, Celia became upset. And he decided to leave to cool off and diffuse the situation. So he left her house and drove home.

"When he left the home Saturday night, Celia Anderson was alive and well. End of story," said Raben. "She may have been upset emotionally, but she was not physically harmed or ill."

Zarcoti has told investigators he left Celia Anderson's home around 9:30 pm Saturday night.

Police have interviewed neighbors and are examining footage from security cameras to validate Mr Zarcoti's claims, although they believe he is responsible for her death.

"It's very hard for us to imagine another suspect, when we have a man that was having an ongoing, serious relationship with the victim. He was there the night of the murder, he acknowledges getting in a heated argument with the victim. We know he was there, we know he had motive, and we know this was a very violent crime. This was not the type of crime we see in a break-in or home invasion. This was a crime of passion, that happened in the heat of the moment. The person who did this had very serious feelings about the victim and that's very evident in the severity of the wounds the victim suffered," said Chief Emerill.

When asked if police overlooked other possible suspects, the chief gave an emphatic 'no.'

"We approached this with an open mind, objectively, like we always do for any homicide. We know there are a variety of potential suspects, and we looked into those leads. But in this case, the trail has very conclusively led to Mr. Zarcoti. It has happened very quickly, yes I will admit that. But we are extremely confident we have our guy. The evidence is pretty mounting," said Emerill.

Zarcoti was initially released after questioning by police, but he was arrested late Tuesday evening at his Mattinow home without incident.

He is no longer speaking to police, according to his lawyer.

Zarcoti will face a judge Thursday morning.

Everingham County Deputy District Attorney Eric Watson says Zarcoti will be charged with second-degree murder and possibly mutilation, because of the severity of the wounds inflicted on the victim.

Watson told the Aurora in a phone interview Tuesday night that second-degree murder charges are being pursued because police do not believe Zarcoti planned the murder. They believe it was a spontaneous crime committed in-the-heat-of-the-moment rather than a pre-meditated plot.

The victim's family has not spoken to the media and has asked for privacy.

Zarcoti's family has also declined to speak to the media.

Meanwhile, the Mattinow Symphony has released a statement on its Facebook page and website, calling Anderson's death "unimaginably tragic."

"We here at the Mattinow Symphony are so deeply grieved by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Celia Anderson. Celia was a gifted musician and wonderful person, whose warmth, kindness, intelligence, talent and love for others could be seen in everything she did."

The statement went on to say, "We are at a loss for words at the violent manner of her death. We are shocked and hurt beyond belief to learn another one of our employees may be responsible for Celia's death. We will never understand why this happened, but we join the community in seeking answers and finding justice for Celia."

In light of the tragedy, the symphony has cancelled events that were scheduled for this upcoming weekend.

The conductor of the symphony, Ma Hong Hun, told the Aurora the symphony will reconvene its regular schedule next week.

Reflection, rebuilding, and unity major themes at 2013 CAL Conference

BLOMENBURY, Roddenclanshire--It is perhaps the most important weekend of the year in Conservative politics, a sort of star-studded event for the party leaders who seek to shape the future of the CNS.

It's the Conservative Action League's (CAL) annual conference, or often shortened to simply the CAL Conference.

This year's gathering is being held at the Ocean State Convention Center in Blomenbury, Roddenclanshire.

But instead of celebrating an election victory this year, Conservatives gathered Thursday at the start of the three-day event, to reflect on a major defeat in the 2012 elections. The official theme of this year's event is: rebuilding.

The conference opened this morning with National Conservative Party Chairman Paul Ott openly addressing the elephant in the room: the whooping the party took in the last election.

"I'm not going to stand up here and pretend everything is perfect and speak in rosey terms. The fact is, we got trampled in the last election. We got kicked and we took a beating last November," Ott said.

"But we're still alive. We're not dead. We're still in the game. We have a lot of work to do to get back a Conservative majority in Mavocke and in our governorships and statehouses, but we have the strength and fortitude and determination to do it."

At least two dozen Conservative governors, senators, assemblymen, and former candidates will be speaking at varying times over the weekend.

Among the first speakers Thursday afternoon was Ansleigha Senator Jon Ralston, who led the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee during the 2010-2012 term.

Ralston is blamed by many party elites for the drubbing the CNS took in the 2012 Senate elections.

"I know we under-performed in the last election, and I'm here today to take accountability for that, and to seek a new direction for the next election and the elections beyond," Ralston said.

While Ralston never officially apologized or showed regret for the lackluster campaigning conducted under his leadership, he did take responsibility for the party's Senate losses--something his counterpart at the Conservative Governors Association (CGA), former Damoign Governor Sid Hoffa, did not do.

In a rarely-seen display of "tough love," the former Damoign governor said he empathized with those that felt defeated, but had some strong words for those that wanted someone to blame.

"Was this last election disappointing? Yes. Of course it was," said Hoffa.

"But this conference isn't about pointing the finger at one person or a group of people and blaming them for why we lost. We lost for a number of reasons. There wasn't just one reason, there were a variety of factors. There was a perfect storm, of sorts."

Among them, Hoffa argued, were well-funded NAT candidates, an anti-Conservative mood that "infiltrated" the nation, and top-tier candidates that were unwilling to run when approached by Hoffa and other leaders.

Hoffa also suggest that new states that were participating in federal elections for the first time, and newly-drawn electorate boundaries and the new Senate seats and governorships that came along with them, contributed to the strong NAT majority in the Senate and governorships.

There's plenty of blame to go around, Hoffa insisted.

"But this conference is not about pinning the blame on someone. [It's] about identifying why we lost, in an objective, informed and respectful manner, and then identifying, 'how can we avoid these mistakes or these pitfalls or these oversights next time around?' This election is about looking to the future, and not dwelling in the past.

"Because we, the greater Conservative Party, are a team. And if you want to sit on the bench and mope and pout that we got our clocks cleaned last time, then go ahead. If that's your attitude, then you might as well walk out now, because this weekend isn't about moping and pouting. This weekend is about winning the future."

Hoffa received a standing ovation for his lengthy admonition, but many in the CNS still hold him responsible for the party's loss of governors seats, something that will be more of an issue at the upcoming Liberty Conference, to be held in June, which is sponsored by the more far-right Grassadellian Conservative Union.

While many are still lamenting the 2012 defeat, many of the attendees are optimistic about the future.

That was clear as Ansleigha Governor Dale Lindstrom and George Garesby, newly-elected governor of Harvannah, spoke Thursday evening to the general session.

"We are two governors that won in Nationalist states. People keep talking about the Conservative party being dead. It's not dead in Ansleigha or Harvannah," Garesby said to cheers.

Lindstrom said the promise of the Conservative party is in the future generations.

"Young people today are trending more liberal and therefore identify more with the NAT. But young people still believe in Conservative principles of government. I don't believe the youth vote has left the CNS because young people can't identify with our policies. I believe the youth vote has gone to the NAT by default, because the Conservative party has not done a good job of reaching out to youth, talking about issues that are important to them, or shaping our messaging in a way that they can identify with," Lindstrom said.

"We need to give them an option. And we need to show that we are a party of loving, compassionate people that want to embrace diversity and people of other faiths, ethnicities and life backgrounds. We need to re-invent our public image and become the party of 'yes we can' instead of the party of 'no you can't,' which is how young people see us today, said Lindstrom.

And ending party struggles would help bring unity, Veroche Senator Niles Gilcrest told the audience.

"I watched it happen in my very own state. Someone didn't like some of my positions and my votes. And rather than taking it up with me in person and telling me they didn't like what I was doing, they began to tear me down in the media. A full onslaught of demonizing my character and my Conservative credentials," Gilcrest recalled.

"Don't get me wrong, democracy is great and people should have the opportunity to freely contest elections and oppose an incumbent if they disagree with them. But we can disagree without tearing each other down and causing all-out-war in our party. We can have a primary election that is conducted with civility and mutual respect in the midst of differing opinions. And that civility has been lacking lately in intra-party battles across the country. And like Sid Hoffa said, we need to come together as a family. As the Conservative family, and start treating each other with respect, even when we don't agree," Gilcrest said.

"Otherwise, we're only helping the Nationalists win."

The first day of the conference is unlikely to move the more far-right wing of the CNS party, however, as social and libertarian conservatives have largely boycotted the CAL Conference, believing it to be a gimmick of the party establishment.

"The CAL Conference is not about preserving conservative values or standing up for conservatism in this country anymore. It's become more of a circus for the "embrace diversity, embrace progress" faction of the CNS party, and Grassadellians don't want another liberal, progressive, wishy-washy political party. We already have the NAT for that," Assemblyman Tanner Zannie, who represents the seat of Black Forest in Onakiah, told the National Press Federation (NPF).

But those attending the conference were not bothered by right-wing skepticism.

"This isn't about moderate or conservative. It's about coming together and standing for the core principles the Conservative party was founded on," Alisha Johnson, a 48-year-old stay-at-home mom from Lacksburg, Trinton told the NPF. "We do best as a party, as a movement, when we are unified. In order to take back the Assembly and the Senate and the governors seats, we're going to have to be united."

Police apprehend man who shot at school bus

BLIXWELL, Damoign--A downstate Damoign community is breathing a sigh of relief and praising local law enforcement, after police apprehended a man who allegedly shot at a school bus.

The Georgia County Sheriff's Department says a local man was arrested after firing a hunting rifle repeatedly at a school bus that was filled with children.

Emergency dispatchers received a frightened call from the bus driver at 4:11 pm ET, saying an unidentified man had just fired several rounds at the school bus, which had about 15 students on board at the time.

The shooting occurred in a rural wooded area, and the suspect fled the scene after firing at the bus.

The bus driver was able to provide police with a license plate number and a description of the suspect's vehicle, however.

Multiple law enforcement officers immediately swarmed the area, with units from the local sheriff's department and neighbouring communities joining in the search for the suspect.

About a half hour later, police located the suspect's truck, which was empty.

A K-9 unit was called in and tracked the suspect down in a wooded area not far from the vehicle.

Police exercised extreme caution, as the suspect was thought to still be armed.

The man was quickly located by the police dogs, and despite attempts to negotiate a peaceful ending, the man refused to surrender to police. Authorities then released several dogs, who chased the suspect into a seven-foot-deep swamp.

The suspect was then removed from the swamp and taken into custody without incident.

Incredibly, none of the 15 children on-board the bus at the time of the shooting were injured.

"They were clearly shaken up and very upset about what happened, but no one was struck by bullets or debris, and we are very thankful for that," Captain Greg Markey of the Georgia County Sheriff's Department said.

The children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution.

The Wood Dale Township School District announced counselors will be on-hand tomorrow at school to help students the students that were involved, and their parents.

The district also applauded the bus driver and the students for their bravery and staying calm.

"The bus driver is a hero for defending the students on board, and of course the kids should be commended for their bravery and for staying calm and collected during what was, no doubt, a very scary situation," Darcy Kaplen, spokeswoman for the district told local media.

Police arrested 22-year-old James Hyman. It's unclear why the man allegedly opened fire, but police alcohol was a factor.

"We're still not exactly sure why the suspect decided to do this, but we do know he was heavily intoxicated and alcohol certainly played a role," Captain Markey said.

Police do believe the man acted alone, and don't believe there is a threat to public safety any longer.

Hyman was booked into the Georgia County Jail on charges of felony aggravated attempted assault, endangering the welfare of a child, intimidation, misuse of a firearm, eluding police and destruction of property.

Hyman will face a judge Thursday morning.

Schueler: Maclan will be 'primary target' in 2014 election

MAVOCKE--After announcing earlier this week that he was switching parties, Conservative-turned-Nationalist Senator Robert Maclan of Armana has left a crowd of angry CNS colleagues in his wake.

And speaking on the STAR network's This Week program, Biereland Senator Jhana Schueler, who is co-chairing the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC) for the 2014 cycle, told host Ian Hemming that the CSCC will now make Maclan's seat a "primary target" in the upcoming elections.

Maclan is up for re-election in 2014, and until his party-switching announcement last Tuesday, he was gearing up for re-election as a Conservative.

"We were planning on supporting him fully, financially and with endorsements and resources. But obviously, now, the situation has changed and he has opted to join the other team, and that means we will have to field a candidate of our own and go after that seat just like we would for any other seat we think we can win," Schueler said.

Though his announcement took many by surprise, it's clear Maclan had been planning on switching parties for some time.

The first-term senator, who before entering the Senate, spent decades in the National Assembly as a moderate Conservative, had been mulling a change for some time, he said.

"I've been thinking about this for months, but I finally feel now is the right time," Maclan said at his Tuesday morning press conference.

He switched parties because the "Conservative Party has lost its way on so many issues," he said in part.

"The party has gone so far to the right on social issues, and become so vitriolic toward the president and the other side. Part of that is politics and it does work both ways. But I just feel the party has evolved beyond my comfort level and has moved to a place that I'm just not comfortable with, as far as my beliefs go," he said.

Maclan had been a member of the moderate Conservative group the Sideliners Club since 1994.

There had been speculation in recent months he may switch parties. Last week, that speculation only increased after the Armana senator met three times with Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial).

Maclan's announcement angered some, most notably his fellow Armana Conservatives.

"I think it's really, sort of a slap in the face to me and Dana," Armana's senior senator, Chuck Danbury, said, referring to Armana's other Conservative senator, Dana Glow.

Danbury had worked hard to get Maclan elected back in 2008, and he and Glow had worked recently to secure support from party leaders for Maclan's re-election bid.

"We put ourselves out there for Bob [Maclan], and it's just sort of frustrating to see this happen. It's disappointing. But ultimately, it is his choice which party he wants to align with, and Dana [Glow] and I believe in working together with our NAT colleagues, especially those from our state. We believe that our state delegation needs to be firmly united and needs to work together, despite our party differences. We need to put the state of Armana first," Danbury said.

Danbury himself is a member of the Sideliners Club as well. Glow is not a member of the group, but has a moderate voting record in a state that leans nationalist, despite recent victories for Conservatives at the statewide level.

Glow's office released a written statement from the senator, saying he was "surprised" by Maclan's announcement, but that he respects his decision.

"He is within his rights to change parties, and partisan politics should not come before the welfare of the people of Armana or the Grassadellian people," Glow's statement read.

Armana Governor Dale Fulbright (C), who previously served in the Senate, would not comment on the matter.

And most of Armana's congressional delegation remained silent on Maclan's announcement, with the exception of Conservative Assemblyman Jerry Topahane of Lowmist, who told Westernmyer's 930 am NewsTalk program Friday he was "disgusted" by Maclan's decision.

"Quite frankly, to see someone change parties and go to the other side, it really feels like treason. It does happen, but it's never pleasant to watch one of your colleagues, who you've trusted over the years and worked with over the years to accomplish your party's goals, it's never fun to see that person pack their bags, move to the other side, and then trash-talk their former party," said Topahane.

Maclan told the National Press Federation over the weekend that he meant to cause no ill-feelings.

"This was not an act of 'treason,' as some have said. It's not a vindictive move. I'm not trying to rub it in their faces. I just truly believed that I was with the wrong party and I believe the NAT will provide a better home for me," Maclan said in a phone interview.

"As far as what Chuck Danbury says, I think we can still work in a bipartisan fashion for the good of our state. I want to maintain that mutual professionalism and mutual respect and the cohesion we have in Armana's delegation. I want to continue to work with Senator Danbury and Senator Glow and all of the members of Armana's National Assembly delegation. I think our state should come first, not parties or political battles," said Maclan.

Various other Conservatives have voiced their displeasure with Maclan's switch. Deschire Senator Jay Burns, who is the leader of the Senate Conservatives, told the STAR network on Wednesday that he was "disappointed, to say the least."

"Of course I'm disappointed. You never want to lose a member of your team. And you never want to see the other side use a defection as ammunition against you, and I'm sure the NAT will go down that route and try to spin Senator Maclan's defection to their side as some sort of indication the CNS is not strong and is divided and troubled. And that's unfortunate, but it is what it is, and we will move on, and the Senate Conservatives remain a united, strong, resolute group," Burns said.

Maclan's defection to the Nationalist party does not change the balance of power in the Senate, however, since Independent Senator Niles Gilcrest of Veroche re-joined the Conservative party three weeks ago, after switching his affiliation to Independent during the 2010 election, when he lost the CNS primary to a more far-right challenger.

Gilcrest was officially welcomed back into the party at a ceremony on April 10, with Minority Leader Jay Burns officiating.

Gilcrest made the switch back to the Conservative party because he had "always been a Conservative" and just wanted to "feel back at home."

"I didn't change my party wilfully," Gilcrest told the Lanakis Daily News. "I was forced out by a primary challenger. But my heart never left the Conservative party."

Burns welcomed Gilcrest back to the Conservative caucus, and said his leadership, even in the midst of his difficult re-election campaign, was inspiring.

"Thank you for not leaving our party, and leaving your ideals and values during all of that," Burns said to Gilcrest.

The balance of power in the Senate remains firmly in the NAT's favor, with 53 Nationalists and 36 Conservatives. Ansleigha Democratic-Reformist Paul Ludtke and Independent George Reedsworth of Trinton round out the last two seats.

Both Ludtke and Reedsworth are also former Conservatives.

Ludtke left the CNS because of the party's move to the right on social issues, and also condemned the Nationalist party as "nanny-state liberals."

Reedsworth changed his affiliation to Independent after losing the 2010 Senate CNS primary to far-right challenger Randy Kalamaza. Reedsworth ended up winning a three-way race between he, Kalamaza and incumbent Grace Kemp.

After his surprising win in the 2010 race, Reedsworth angered Conservatives by aligning with the NAT instead of the CNS caucus.

Reedsworth made the move after Nationalists offered him a valuable seat on the Senate Defense Committee.

On Friday, Senate Majority Leader John Morandi told The Voice that recent defections from the Conservative party to the NAT are a sign of a "pattern."

"We've had three senators switch parties in the last few years. And all of them said it was because the Conservative party has moved too far to the right on social issues. There is part of a pattern that is emerging in the CNS, and that is a pattern of far-right extremism that is pushing moderate and centrist members out of the fold," Morandi said.

As for Maclan, Morandi is pleased to have him aboard.

"We are very happy to have Senator Maclan join our side. We believe he will make a great NAT senator for the state of Armana."

Wynmyer will not seek Carova governorship

PORT BAY, Carova -- She says she's "honored and humbled" to be considered a candidate in the 2014 Carova governor's race, but former Democratic-Reformist Sen. Julie Wynmyer will not run for the state's top job, she announced Wednesday.

In an interview with the Carova Statesman, Wynmyer said she is flattered that people have asked and urged her to challenge Conservative Gov. Sam Byelle, but she is not interested in the position.

"It's very flattering, but this is not the right time or the right position for me," Wynmyer told reporter Peter Mahern.

"Right now, I'm enjoying spending time with my family and my grandchildren, and I'm finding other ways to serve the people of Carova," Wynmyer said.

Some of Wynmyer's recent activities include being elected President of the Carova Plant Society and gaining a seat on the governing committee of the Folman Group, an advocacy group that seeks to end homelessness in Carova.

Wynmyer even buried the hatchet with former Senate opponent, Nationalist Becki Salmon--whom she ran against in the 2012 election--and Wynmyer is now serving on the board of the pro-environment group Carova Wildscape, which Salmon co-founded.

"We sat down and talked and realized that we don't agree on everything, but we do agree on a lot, and that's something we can unite on and find common ground. We had a great discussion over lunch and she invited me to be apart of her group," Wynmyer said of Salmon.

"I'm very busy, but I'm very happy at this point in my life," Wynmyer told the Statesman. "I'm not going to close the door on politics altogether, but I don't believe the 2014 gubernatorial race is one that I'm interested in."

Wynmyer's pass at the governor's race is good news for both Sam Byelle and the state Nationalist party, as a Wynmer Democratic-Reformist candidacy would have likely resulted in a three-way race, which would expectedly have siphoned votes from both the CNS and the NAT candidates.

But Nationalists still have an uphill climb against Byelle. The first-term governor has healthy approval ratings hovering around 60%, and his populist message resonates with the common-sense voters of the Northern Frontier.

However, some prominent Nationalists are said to be considering a challenge to Byelle. Most notably: Sen. Dan Sallovich, who has openly expressed interest in the governorship.

Lorenzi Mayor Anna Madde-Maas and freshman Attorney General Dan McGregor are also said to be mulling a run.

Former lieutenant governor Carson Latzo, who made a political comeback last year when he was elected to the National Assembly after a 2008 drunken-driving scandal, was considering running for governor, but decided against it.

Latzo is now expected to announce his candidacy for mayor of Carlingford in the November 2013 election.

Last week, uncertainty about Byelle's future reached a climax, after an unnamed source within the governor's office told the Statesman Byelle was going to retire instead of running for a second term.

But Byelle cleared up all doubt over the weekend, when he announced he will seek re-election in the 2014 election.

Three stabbed outside Treeton-area movie theater

HUDSON HEIGHTS, Monomi--Police have a suspect in custody after he reportedly stabbed three people outside a Treeton-area cinema Sunday evening.

It happened at the Carlisle Cinemas in the Dominick's Shopping Centre in Hudson Heights, northeast of Treeton.

Dispatch received the first 911 call at 7:55 pm Western time. A group of bystanders detained the man until police arrived.

One of the victims was seriously wounded and taken to St. Anthony's Medical Center, but is expected to be okay.

The other two victims were taken to the hospital but released.

Police say no motive has been established, but they believe the suspect is mentally ill and not was not taking medication at the time of the attack.

Six Grassadellians injured in Boston Marathon bombing

BOSTON, Massachusetts--The Grassadellian Office of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that six Grassadellian citizens were injured in the bombing terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The bombing killed three people, and injured more than 180 others, including the six Grassadellians, three of whom were participating in the marathon.

"We have confirmed that six Grassadellians were injured in the blast," Foreign Affairs spokesman Derek Gleason told the National Press Federation (NPF). "One remains in hospital at this point, the other five citizens have been released. None of the Grassadellian victims have life-threatening injuries."

The victims have been identified via social media, after family members and some of the victims themselves posted about the ordeal on Facebook.

"I have been released from the hospital, and am so thankful to be alive, thankful that I was spared," Marc Ganton, 44, of Oak Valley, Wilkonshire wrote on his Facebook page.

Ganton was running the race with close friends Vlad Peeling, 41, of Sun Harbor, Monomi, and Joe Standich, 47, of Lyle Circle, POG.

Ganton suffered a broken leg, after falling in a crowd of panicked onlookers.

Peeling was treated for a fractured wrist, and Standich was treated for minor cuts and bruises.

The other three Grassadellians injured were all treated and released, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). They have not been officially identified by government officials, but the DFA has confirmed the other three victims were not participating in the race.

In all, 53 Grassadellian citizens participated in the marathon, and several hundred attended the event.

"Obviously this is a very tragic situation, that unfolded in Boston, and our hearts go out to all the victims and the families of those killed. But it especially hits home for Grassadellia as well, as many citizens were there participating in this event and were endangered. We're quite fortunate that no Grassadellian citizens were seriously injured," Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett told STAR-TV.

President Brenton Menuhaeo condemned the bombings Tuesday morning at a press conference, calling them "an act of cowardice."

"This attack can only be described as an act of cowardice, and Grassadellians are saddened by what happened yesterday in Boston, and we, once again, in the face of tragedy, stand with our American allies and condemn this sort of violence," Menuhaeo said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren was en route to Israel yesterday, but spoke with reporters when he got off the plane.

"I am bewildered by what happened in Boston, and of course, grieved. Whenever innocent lives are taken in such a horrific way, for no reason, it is unsettling and heart-breaking. And it's important that we support our American friends and show them that Grassadellians are thinking of them at this difficult time," said McCaren.

Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) and Assembly Speaker Charlie O'Neale (C-Lial) issued a joint statement, saying in part, "we strongly condemn violent attacks that target innocent lives," and Grassadellia "stands with the United States to seek and find those responsible, and for justice to be served."

North Korea chides Grassadellia, calls Menuhaeo and McCaren 'fools'

MAVOCKE--The rhetoric between North Korea and Grassadellia is escalating, as the two nations spar over North Korea's recent threats of war and detainment of a Grassadellian humanitarian worker.

Last week, President Brenton Menuhaeo and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jim McCaren called for North Korea to stop provoking South Korea and the United States with threats of a nuclear attack.

The president and McCaren also called for the North to release Charlotte Gibbons, a 63-year-old Damoign woman who is being held in Pyongyang after traveling there for a European Union-led humanitarian mission almost four months ago.

North Korean government officials accuse Gibbons of "harboring illegal drug activity inside the DPRK," or Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as North Korea is officially known.

But Grassadellian leaders believe the charges of smuggling drugs against Gibbons were fabricated to provide an excuse for the North to detain a Grassadellian citizen.

"Charlotte Gibbons did not smuggle drugs into or out of North Korea. These are false charges. They were fabricated and made up to justify her detainment, and the whole world knows these are trumped up charges that have no legal justification or grounds for prosecution," David Monteguro, Collester's Chief of Staff, told the GBC in a Friday interview.

At a press conference last week, President Menuhaeo warned North Korea that Grassadellia would not tolerate its citizens being harassed or detained without warrant in other countries.

"North Korea is engaging in a dangerous game of rhetoric and provocation. This is a regime that has oppressed its own people for decades, and is known for playing psychological games with other countries as a method of manipulation. But Grassadellia will not tolerate the abusive treatment and unlawful detainment of its citizens. Anywhere."

Menuhaeo also warned North Korea's new young leader, Kim Jong-Un, that if the rogue nation provokes a military conflict with the United States or its allies, the conflict will not result in a North Korea victory.

"If North Korea provokes a war or a military conflict with the United States or with virtually any other nation, for that matter, it will not end in North Korea's favor," Menuhaeo told reporters.

In response to Grassadellia's warnings, Pyongyang reacted swiftly, chiding Grassadellia for its "arrogance," and calling President Brenton Menuhaeo and Jim McCaren "fools."

"The Grassadellian government is bringing shame on its people by engaging in reckless arrogance," the DPRK said in a written statement. "The DPRK will react with strength and confidence against Grassadellia, the United States, South Korea, Japan, or any other state that threatens the DPRK's interests."

The North Korean government also warned of Western complacency.

"Brenton Menuhaeo and Jim McCaren are fools if they doubt the strength and vigor of the DPRK," the statement said.

Following North Korea's brazen words, Collester released a statement, calling North Korea a "bully" and emphasizing the North's alienation from the rest of the world.

"North Korea continues to engage in careless provocation, the manipulation of other countries through extortion, and inciting violence and war. Unfortunately, this behavior comes at the expense of North Korea's dignity, and only assures further isolation from the international community," the Grassadellian State Department said in its statement.

As the war of words has increased in intensity, some have called for a truce.

"The best interest of all nations would be to end provoking words and engage in quiet peace," Sweden's Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, a long-time ally of Grassadellia's, said in a written statement for the Swedish government.

Even from within Grassadellia's government, many voiced opposition to the rising tensions.

"This is the United States' problem, not our's," Trinton Sen. Grace Kemp (N) said at a town hall meeting yesterday. "Why are we getting involved?"

And Kalnier Sen. Paul LeBouse (N) condemned President Brenton Menuhaeo, a member of his own party, for increasing tensions between Grassadellia and North Korea.

"By engaging in this petty, adolescent-like game of back-and-forth threats, the President and the leaders of the state department are making Grassadellia look as bad as the United States. We are now joining the US as a war-mongering nation that seeks to bully the rest of the world with our imperialist agenda," the far-left LeBouse, a self-described socialist, told GBC Radio.

On the opposite side, some Conservatives feel the Menuhaeo administration isn't reacting strongly enough, however.

"He keeps saying all these strongly-worded messages to North Korea and warning them there will be consequences if they act unlawfully. But what good is rhetoric if you're not willing to back it up?" Sen. Jim Frasier (C-Deschire), who is the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the GBC Friday.

But some Conservatives believe the president is reacting appropriately.

"The president is right to tell North Korea, these acts of aggression and defiance will not be tolerated," Sen. Jhana Schueler of Biereland told GNN's Marcy McKay. "Very few leaders are willing to stand up to the North Koreans, and so far, I think Brenton Menuhaeo and Jim McCaren are doing a pretty good job of standing up to them."

As for Charlotte Gibbons, the Grassadellian woman still being detained in North Korea, experts say it is likely she may be released sometime next week.

"North Korea is expected to perhaps launch a small missile that isn't aimed at any real target. That way, they can claim some kind of military victory without provoking the United States into war. And then on Sunday they will celebrate the birth of their first leader, Kim Il-Sung, and after that, the tensions will likely come back down, and Charlotte Gibbons could very well be released sometime next week," Dr. Anders Broven of the University of Roddenclanshire's Political Science Department, told the Grassadellia City Times.

If Gibbons is released, the Grassadellian government is prepared, officials say.

"We are prepared for her possible release. We are working in tandem with the government of Sweden, who will be acting on our behalf. We want to secure her release and, the hope is, North Korea will turn Ms. Gibbons over to the Swedes and they will then bring her back to Grassadellia," Deputy Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawn Hunter-Garrett told the NPF.

Gibbons' family released a statement, asking for prayers and an end to the stand-off between the two countries.

"We ask for prayers during this emotional time, as we seek the return of our beloved daughter, sister, mother and aunt. We hope she'll be home soon."

Garesby, Xhi have difficult relationship

CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah--Just over three months into his tenure, Conservative Gov. George Garesby has set out on an ambitious agenda: to improve Harvannah's economy, restructure the state's education system, fix the state's ailing transportation infrastructure, better-serve rural counties that are often ignored, and embrace and integrate the citizens of Kilgore Island, which Harvannah annexed in 2010.

At his side is Harvannah's Lieutenant Governor, Nationalist Mia Xhi, who won a second term in 2012.

So far, the governor and his deputy seem to be getting along okay. Publicly, that is.

But privately, aides to both Garesby and Xhi (pronounced "she") say the two struggle to work together.

"It's not that he (Garesby) doesn't like her as a person (Xhi) or appreciate her as a colleague. He does. But he has reached out in bipartisanship and she has really shot down every attempt he's made," an aide to the governor, who asked not be identified because he was speaking without permission, told the Clevey Springs Dome-Observer.

Similarly, an aide to Xhi told the Dome-Observer the lieutenant governor considers Garesby to be a nice person, but will not compromise when it comes to hot-button political issues.

"She does think he is a nice guy, but she refuses to work with him because they just have two very different visions, and let's face it, she'd rather be working with Mark Andres, who she agreed with 99 percent of the time," the aide, who also was not authorized to speak to the media, told the paper.

In a candid interview with the Harlyne Sun newspaper, Garesby told reporter Michael Dallion that he respects Xhi but has not received a warm reception.

"I really do respect her as a public official. She is a pioneer for women in this state, in terms of holding of office and being a leader in Clevey Springs. But I have tried to reach out and tried to find some common ground, and tried to cultivate a healthy, bipartisan, friendly relationship, and I just don't feel like that attempt at camaraderie and cooperation has been returned," Garesby said.

In a separate interview with the Sun, Xhi said the two leaders have "real differences" when it comes to the issues, and maintained she doesn't have a problem with Garesby as a person, but she "strongly disagrees" with his political philosophy.

"I don't have a problem sitting next to George Garesby at a luncheon or a political function. I don't have a problem sitting down with him in the governor's office and talking. But I do have a real issue with his political positions and his ultra-conservative agenda that he is attempting to push through. And I can't cooperate with something that is so strongly against my beliefs as a woman, as an Asian-Grassadellian, as an independent, free-thinking person that values civil rights," said Xhi.

When asked if his relationship with Xhi is "icy," by reporter Michael Dallion, Garesby replied, "I wouldn't say icy, but she hasn't been real warm."

Xhi told the Sun, "I respect his authority as governor, and I respect the will of the voters, as they elected him. But I do not respect his positions. We stand very far apart on the political spectrum, and I don't think holding hands and singing 'kumbayah' together is going to change that fact."

But both say they are working on improving their relationship.

"I have reached out, and I'm going to continue to reach out to Mia, because I think the people of Harvannah sent me to Clevey Springs to foster cooperation and team-work and bipartisanship. We had a very strong dose of partisanship in the last administration, and I'm determined to weed that out of Clevey Springs," Garesby said.

Xhi said the two are working on finding common ground.

"We are working together to find areas where we can agree. There aren't very many of them, but we are working to find commonalities on veterans' issues, environmental protection issues, protecting children, improving literacy. So there are some areas where we can work together despite our differences."

Xhi is widely seen as a possible NAT candidate for governor in the 2016 election. It's possible she could challenge Garesby, although she has declined to say whether she is considering a future bid.

Maine City cop shoots wife, takes own life in murder-suicide

MAINE CITY, Armana--Police in Maine City responded to a murder-suicide Saturday, involving one of their own.

Around 3:00 pm Eastern time, authorities rushed to a home in the city's northwest, after receiving 911 calls from neighbors reporting gunfire.

When authorities arrived, they learned it was the home of Maine City Police Corporal Michael Corman, 43, and his wife Olivia, 44 years of age.

Inside the home, police found Olivia Corman dead from a gunshot wound to the head, and Michael Corman with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

A suicide note was also found, police say.

Police would not release details or the contents of the note, but say financial and marital problems were main contributors.

"This is a very sad day for the entire Maine City Police Department," Captain Steve Brogan told reporters. "We grieve the senseless death of Olivia Corman and also the loss of someone we considered a friend and colleague, Corporal Corman."

"Had we known Corporal Corman was struggling with depression and these issues in his life, we would have intervened and sought help for him. But there were no signs, nothing any of his fellow officers noticed that would have sent up a red flag," Brogan said.

The home was cordoned off with police tape all day Sunday, as investigators continued collecting evidence. Police do not believe anyone else was involved.

Concern grows for Grassadellian woman held captive in North Korea

MAVOCKE--As North Korea continues to ramp up the tension on the Korean peninsula by taunting the United States with threats of war, concern is growing for a Grassadellian woman who is being held captive in North Korea.

Charlotte Gibbons, a 63-year-old Damoign woman who traveled to North Korea back in December on a humanitarian mission, is still being held in the reclusive country, three and a half months after initially being detained.

Grassadellia is feverishly working to secure Gibbons release, Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett told the media.

"We have been working tirelessly to get her out of there, and we are continuing our best efforts to bring Charlotte Gibbons back home," Hunter-Garrett said at a press conference Friday.

With North Korea's recent "bellicose rhetoric," as the United States called it, the Grassadellian State Department fears Gibbons may be in an increasingly dangerous situation.

"North Korea is never a really safe place to go, in terms of coming back," Hunter-Garrett explained. "But in this case, Miss Gibbons was traveling there on a humanitarian mission, with a group from the European Union. So she was there on official humanitarian business, and that should be respected and she should be allowed to return to Grassadellia."

Gibbons was detained by North Korean officials, for what the state-ran media called "harboring illegal drug activity in the DPRK," which stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a name the oppressive government officially uses.

Grassadellian officials believe Gibbons was not involved in any illicit activity, and that the charges against were made up.

President Brenton Menuhaeo said he is "very displeased" with Gibbons' detainment, and said Grassadellia will not allow its citizens to be held hostage in other countries.

"North Korea is engaging in a dangerous game of rhetoric and provocation. This is a regime that has oppressed its own people for decades, and is known for playing psychological games with other countries as a method of manipulation. But Grassadellia will not tolerate the abusive treatment and unlawful detainment of its citizens. Anywhere."

Menuhaeo also urged the North to stand down and back off from its recent threats.

"If North Korea provokes a war or a military conflict with the United States or with virtually any other nation, for that matter, it will not end in North Korea's favor, I can tell you that," Menuhaeo said.

Meanwhile, the family of Charlotte Gibbons is praying for her quick and safe return.

"This has been three months of hell for us," sister Kathy Genn told the STAR network. "We just want our Char back. We want her back here safe with us."

Back in Mavocke, Deschire Sen. Jim Frasier (C), who is the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has called for Grassadellian naval ships to be mobilized to the East China Sea.

"The US is sending ships there. Why not join them with a couple of Grassadellian naval destroyers. Just to show North Korea we are very serious about defending our country and defending our citizens."

Critics argue that will only endanger Charlotte Gibbons.

"That is a really bad idea that will have a really bad outcome," Sheila Wirth, Executive Vice President of the North Korea Policy Institute in Grassadellia City told the Mavocke Capitol newspaper.

Instead, Wirth and some members of Congress are calling for negotiations.

"What we need is a Bill Richardson or a Tony Blair to go over to North Korea and negotiate, peacefully and without increasing tensions, the release of Miss Gibbons," Marchenay Sen. Joseph Milhaughly (N) said after the Foreign Relations Committee hearing. "Bill Richardson did it with the US and Laura Ling. And we can do it too, but we need to act quickly and rationally."

Skeptics say a negotiation is unlikely right now, as North Korea is projecting a strong, bold and brazen image. A negotiation might be seen as a sign of weakness, they say.

"I think a negotiated release is very unlikely at this time. North Korea is not going to release someone in the midst of this arms competition they're having with the US," Sen. Paul Ludtke (DR-Ansleigha) told Good Morning Grassadellia. "The best thing we can do at this point is to back off, try to simmer things down and put the pressure on China to persuade the North Koreans to back off as well. And then we can negotiate the release."

Charlotte Gibbons' family, however, wants immediate action.

"Every day is precious. Every day that goes by is a missed opportunity," said Genn, her younger sister. "We just want her to know we are doing everything we can to bring her back."

Almone takes middle ground in climate change debate

LANSDALE--While many in the Conservative party have vocally denied or downplayed the impact of climate change, POG Gov. Donna Almone (C) is emphatic: global warming is real.

Almone is perhaps the most prominent CNS figure thus far to acknowledge the effects of global warming.

Other well-known Conservative politicians have outspokenly rejected climate change, to the joy of many Conservative voters and activists.

Remmington Gov. Jen Stevens-Taylor, a staunch conservative who governs one of the country's driest states, raised more than $2.4 million in campaign donations following his refusal to attend the 2009 Copenhagen climate change summit. He also took heat from Nationalists--and received applause from Conservatives--for taking part in an anti-climate change rally in downtown Remmington City.

Stevens-Taylor said he believes in global warming, but believes it is not as severe as scientists claim. He also opposes any laws that push taxes or seizing civil liberties in the name of alleviating climate change.

Other Conservatives, such as 2010 Veroche Senate candidate Talley O'Neil and former Veroche Sen. Evelynn Blankenship, have downplayed global warming. O'Neil told a crowd at a campaign rally in February 2010 global warming was just "a way for Nationalists to make more money" through taxes.

Blankenship said at a Christian religious forum the climate change movement was "a central part of Satan's plan" for the world.

New Portsmouth Sen. Nadine Pietrasaelis (C) mocked climate change protesters, calling them "fuddy-duddies." And North Ceona Sen. Pete Deetch told the National Press Club last month "climate change is about as real as the tooth fairy."

But in an interview with Essence magazine, Donna Almone affirmed the existence of climate change, and the need to combat it.

"I do believe in climate change. I believe it is real, it is man-made, and I think we do need to do something about it. That may put me at odds with some in my party, but that's how I see it," the 64-year-old, three-term governor said.

That being said, Almone does disagree with Nationalists on how to address climate change.

"I do believe global warming is real. But I don't think raising taxes through the roof on corporations or every day Grassadellians is a fair or plausible solution. I think we have to look at ways we can curb our greenhouse gases. We have to look at ways we can cut back on pollution, ways that don't involve taxing people to death or taking away personal freedoms and civil liberties. We have to be realistic about it, and those ideas are just not realistic. And we have to come up with a solution that does not infringe upon reasonable rights of Grassadellian citizens."

Liberals say Almone's stance on climate change is hardly commendable.

"She acknowledges global warming is real. Okay, great," says Neil Donaldson, PhD and president of the left-leaning think-tank GreenTree, told the GBC. "But she opposes every measure out there that is in place or being proposed [to help stop global warming]. It's a bit hypocritical. On the one hand, she says it's real and we need to do something. And then she turns around says, 'well, we can't impose taxes and we can't put regulations on products because that's limiting freedom of choice and expression.' That's like throwing darts and trying to catch them. It just doesn't work."

It does make sense though, according to Almone.

"I'm not saying we should sit back and do nothing. That's foolish. But there are other ways we can reduce our contribution to global warming. Specifically, we can give tax credits to companies for reducing their carbon footprint. We can give incentives. Let's give businesses a reason to willingly cut carbon output rather than forcing them to do it through punitive taxes and a maze of red tape. Let's unleash human ingenuity and let entrepreneurs and scientists discover new solutions instead of spending billions of dollars on government bureaucracy."

A new poll put out by Lexmark University shows POGer's largely agree with Almone when it comes to climate change policy. More than 71% said they would not favor climate change laws that take away personal freedoms. Forty-two percent said the threat of climate change is real, while 46% said is not real or is exaggerated. And 62% said they would not favor laws that impose new taxes on businesses or individuals.

Nevertheless, Almone says she is committed to addressing climate change during the next legislative session.

"I will be proposing allocating funding to studying the effects of climate change on POG's agriculture, beach geology and coral reefs off POG shores. I think that is very important."

The current POG state legislative session runs through May. The next legislative session will begin in September.

Lindselli revels in 'maverick' status

HANSBORO, East Deschire--She was once called the "firebrand from the heartland" by a Nationalist colleague.

And now, former Sen. Nancy Lindselli (C) is back in the spotlight, just a few months after losing re-election by a sliver of the vote.

Lindselli has all but confirmed she will challenge fellow Conservative (albeit moderate) Sen. Denna Halitz in the 2014 primary elections.

Halitz has struck a bipartisan tone in the Senate, a far cry from Lindselli's strictly party-line voting record.

And after having lost by just a handful of votes to Nationalist Secretary of State Allison Sweeten in the 2012 election, the 76-year-old Lindselli seems less ready for retirement and more anxious to jump back into the political battle zone, by challenging the much younger Halitz (age 37) in what could be a tense primary race that centers as much around policy differences as generational ones.

Over the past month, speculation has mounted that Lindselli might take on Halitz, who is up for re-election in 2014.

Sources close to the "gun-toting grandma," as she calls herself, told the Mavocke Capitol last month that Lindselli was all but certain to run for the Senate in 2014.

And last week, Lindselli herself told political reporter Tom Cuben that she would return to Mavocke.

"I'll be back there (in Mavocke), in some form or fashion," she said.

She added that the opinions of party leaders has little impact on the decisions she makes.

"I take pride in being independent. I don't go around kowtowing to party leadership. I do what I think is right, and I stick to it."

Lindselli's possible forthcoming maverick candidacy has some CNS party leaders concerned.

On the one hand, she has a more reliably conservative voting record compared to Halitz, who has sided with Nationalists on a number of important votes.

But chief among their concerns: Lindselli's fiery tone and hard-line conservative views could alienate voters in friendly and folksy East Deschire.

The Harvest State is generally conservative-leaning. However, East Deschireans have a record of voting in moderate Nationalists, including Sens. Portia McLendon, as well as Gov. Lynn DeMont and Lt. Gov. Laurel McEdery.

"There is some concern in the leadership...that if Lindselli wins the nomination, and the NAT nominates a centrist candidate like John Blackman or Donna Rae Cobb...that may result in the loss of a Conservative-held seat," one source, who asked not to be identified because they were not allowed to speak to the media, told the Hansboro Laureate.

Blackman, a businessman from Hansboro, was a candidate for the Senate back in 2010, but lost the primary election to Sweeten, who went on to lose narrowly to Conservative Mike Aventhalle in the general election.

Cobb is the Assemblywoman for the seat of Forkwich, which encompasses the northeastern corner of the state.

Both are said to be considering a 2014 Senate bid.

Densy halts teacher pay raises, wants merit-based pay

TREETON--The political heat is being turned up in Monomi.

Conservative Gov. John Densy and a CNS-controlled state legislature are pushing forward with a budget proposal that will cut more than $1.3 billion in spending.

Densy and the CNS-led legislature proposed the leaner budget to combat a $6.3 billion budget deficit. But among the more than $1.3 billion in spending cuts are about $120 million in education funding.

The results: public school teachers will not receive planned pay increases, nor will instructors at the state's public universities see their pay rise in the next year.

Funding for higher education will be cut by about $72 million, while the remaining cuts will be felt at the K-12 and pre-school levels.

Densy and backers of the budget say the cuts are necessary to dig the state out of its deficit.

"These are painful cuts, of course. But there is no easy way to cut $1.3 billion. Every department, every sector of government is feeling the consequences of these cuts. It's not pleasant, it's not preferred. But it is, unfortunately, necessary under the circumstances," Densy told reporters Friday.

Conservatives also point out that most proposed cuts would be to planned construction projects and non-essential services.

"We are trying to lessen the impact of the spending cuts to our children. We're trying to keep the budget cuts out of the classroom. So most of the cuts will be felt in the construction sector, as well as in maintenance and operations," state Sen. Chris Midges (C-Rantham) told STAR-TV.

That means Monomi's public universities will have to put a hold on many of their expansion projects.

Community colleges and state-ran technical schools will also feel the cuts.

"It's unfortunate that the governor feels the need to balance the burden of the budget cuts on the backs of the community and technical colleges, and the higher ed system in general," Macy Kastetter, chair of the Monomi Higher Education Council told the NPF.

Critics say the budget unfairly punishes teachers by discontinuing their scheduled pay increases. And educators will have to pay more out of their own pockets to buy supplies, the NAT says.

"If these cuts go through, teachers will be paying more of their personal money to supply their classrooms. They will continue to have over-crowded classrooms, and vital programs, such as after school and early education programs, will be eliminated," Dani Damuir, head of the local teacher's union in Scottsville north of Treeton, told the GBC.

State Sen. Lisa McDonnell (N-Averan) says the "cuts at any cost" approach of Densy and Conservatives is punishing children.

"We're not slashing spending with this budget. We're eliminating dreams. We're putting our children on the chopping block. This is Conservative anti-tax crusaders at their worst," McDonnell said.

Densy has tried to soften criticism by proposing a merit-based pay system beginning in 2015, which the governor says would be cheaper than across-the-board pay increases.

"What this proposal does, is it would give teachers that are succeeding and doing a good job, it would reward them for their hard work. Good teachers deserved to be rewarded," Densy said. "But we need to find teachers that are not succeeding, that are not living up to the standard our kids need. And we're not going to fire them right off the bat. We're not going to discipline them. We're going to work with them to improve their performance."

The Monomi Education Association (MEA), the state's largest teachers union, opposes that idea as well.

"Any person that decides to dedicate their career and their life to education deserves a pay raise. And it shouldn't be tied to shoddy standardized tests or inaccurate teacher evaluations," MEA President Molly Ureakin told the Treeton Sun.

Opponents of the budget cuts have spent the last two days rallying at the state capital in Treeton. More than 600 people, many chanting and waving signs, have crowded the capital's rotunda and gathered on the grounds outside the capital to protest the budget cuts.

Kyle Chetgens, who traveled from Del Latto south of Treeton, told the Sun he is not leaving the protesters' make-shift tent camp on the steps of the capital until the proposed budget cuts to education are removed.

"I'm here for the long haul."

While cuts to the state's education system have been the most controversial, other departments, such as the Monomi Department of Labor, the state Environmental Quality Agency, and the Department of Health will also take major cuts under the budget proposal.

Kolotano, Sanchez possible replacements for Downs

BROOKINGS--Biereland Gov. San Bartholomew (N) found himself partner-less this week.

That's because his former political partner, Lt. Gov. Ashton Downs (N), resigned her post last week after President Brenton Menuhaeo asked her to serve as Director of Consumer Affairs in his administration.

Downs' resignation means Bartholomew will have to appoint someone to fill the lieutenant governorship until the 2014 election.

According to Simon Petersen, a Brookings political insider and reporter, Bartholomew has two men at the top of his list of possible replacements for Ashton Downs.

They are former federal Sen. Steve Kolotano (N), who served from 2008 until 2011, when he was removed from the Senate involuntarily in the Senate Reduction Lottery.

And state Rep. Gabriel Sanchez (N-Oho), who at age 32, would be a very young pick, but could bring ethnic diversity to Bartholomew's cabinet.

Kolotano is viewed as the more experienced choice. He has been involved in Biereland politics for more than a decade. The crafty Conservative-turned-Nationalist could also add tenacity to Bartholomew's campaign, a much-needed asset, since Bartholomew is considered especially vulnerable heading into the upcoming 2014 election.

Bartholomew's office would not comment on whom the governor is considering.

"All I can tell you is that Governor Bartholomew is considering many possible candidates for the job," spokeswoman Kelly Stacy told the Greene Mountain Press (GMP).

Neither Kolotano nor Sanchez would comment either.

Simon Petersen told the GMP that Kolotano is also considering a challenge to Sen. Brad Bearns (C) in the 2014 election.

Sanchez has been planning to run for lieutenant governor for several months now, Petersen said.

"This is all just through the political grapevine," said Petersen. "But word has it that Steve Kolotano may try to claw his way back into the Senate by challenging Conservative Brad Bearns, and Gabe Sanchez is already thinking of running for lieutenant governor in 2014. So even if [Sanchez] is not appointed to the position now, he will likely make a run for it in the near future."

The governor has 90 days to appoint a replacement. That means he has until May 26 to appoint someone to the position.

In Biereland, the lieutenant governor serves as President of the state Senate, and as an ambassador for the state.

The lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor, and thus can be of a different political party.

Trevano detained by police at Phoenix airport

PHOENIX, Arizona--Grassadellian pop star Trevor Trevano has been released after what police in the U.S. are describing as an "incident."

The former boy-band heart throb was detained by airport police at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Arizona, after an altercation with an aggressive fan.

The incident happened Tuesday, while Trevano was arriving in Phoenix for a Tuesday night concert.

Police gave little comment on the matter, only saying that an aggressive fan approached Trevano and followed him through the airport.

Trevano and the fan, who was described as a 40-year-old American man, had some kind of scuffle inside the airport. Trevano's security personnel then broke up the scuffle, pushing the man to the ground.

Airport police soon arrived and detained both the fan and Trevano.

Trevano was questioned for about ten minutes, and then released. Police stressed he was not arrested or charged with a crime.

"Mr. Trevano was simply detained for questioning, and released without charges or arrest," Lt. Glenn Comstock told the Associated Press.

The fan was cited for 3rd degree harassment, and was released by police as well. He was treated for minor cuts and bruises at the airport urgent care center.

Trevano's publicist, Jill Irvine, had no comment on the matter.