Prosecutor in Duke case faces civil suits

RALEIGH -- Mike Nifong, the disbarred prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse rape case, is facing more legal troubles. The falsely accused players and their families, who incurred millions of dollars in legal bills, are expected to file civil lawsuits against Nifong, and they want a judge to consider holding him in criminal contempt for allegedly lying to the court. (AP)

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Senate's top Republican said yesterday that he could not predict whether stalled immigration legislation will pass, citing questions among conservatives as to whether it amounts to amnesty to illegal immigrants. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called the vote, which is expected before lawmakers begin their Fourth of July vacation, too close to call. (AP)

A Capitol Hill house where Senator Barack Obama of Illinois rents an apartment caught fire yesterday, but a spokesman said the Democratic presidential contender was in Chicago to celebrate Father's Day. The damage was minor. Obama lives on the second floor, which was not affected. (AP)

TEXAS

DALLAS -- Choosing a wealthy retired businessman over an openly gay city councilor, voters have elected Tom Leppert as Dallas mayor by a wide margin. Capping a swift rise from political unknown to the top office of the nation's ninth-largest city, Leppert won the most expensive mayoral race in Dallas history. He received about 58 percent of the vote Saturday, according to final but unofficial results, beating Ed Oakley by more than 13,000 votes. (AP)

CALIFORNIA

RIVERSIDE -- A former student at the University of California, Riverside, was arrested after a homemade firebomb and threatening letters found on campus led to the cancellation of a graduation ceremony. Audley Yung, 22, of Richmond, Calif., was arrested Saturday on suspicion of arson, possessing a destructive device, and making terrorist threats, campus police said. (AP)

FLORIDA

MIAMI -- Four armed men with white bandannas covering their faces opened fire at a party early yesterday, killing a 20-year-old man and injuring six other people. Police were searching for the four men, and the shootings were believed to be gang-related. (AP)