Schwarzenegger's health bill rejected

SACRAMENTO - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's effort to retool California's healthcare system ran aground yesterday after some lawmakers raised concerns that it was too costly for the cash-strapped state. The $14.7 billion program, negotiated weeks ago with Democratic leaders, failed to get out of a key Senate committee as the state grapples with a budget shortfall of about the same amount. The changes will not be reconsidered again this year. If the Senate and voters had approved, it would have been the largest healthcare overhaul undertaken by any state. (AP)

DETROIT - Christine Beatty, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's chief of staff, said yesterday that she is resigning amid allegations that she and the mayor lied under oath about an affair. In a letter to Kilpatrick that was released by his office, Beatty said she believes she can no longer effectively carry out her duties. Her resignation takes effect Feb. 8. Beatty's lawyer did not immediately return calls seeking comment. (AP)

More than 7,000 children are taken to emergency rooms each year after adverse reactions to cough and cold medicines, according to the first national estimate of the risks posed by the widely used remedies. Most of the problems occur in children ages 2 to 5 who get into the medications on their own, researchers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. The Food and Drug Administration is considering whether to further restrict the products. (Washington Post)

The Senate confirmed Edward Schafer as secretary of agriculture with no objections yesterday, even though Congress and the administration have differing views over a pending five-year farm bill. The former North Dakota governor was confirmed by unanimous consent. Several members of the Agriculture Committee last week encouraged him to work with Congress to smooth stalled talks on the $286 billion farm bill. (AP)

NEW ORLEANS - A man wanted for questioning in a rape overpowered a New Orleans officer who was trying to handcuff him, then shot her to death with her own weapon yesterday, police said. The shooting occurred in a parking lot in the Central City neighborhood. The suspect stayed on the scene until other officers arrived and was arrested. The names of the officer and the suspect were not immediately released. (AP)