Kennedy meets via videoconference

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, ensconced on Cape Cod as he battles a brain tumor, managed to hold a meeting on healthcare matters yesterday with fellow Democrats, appearing by videoconference from Massachusetts. The Democratic lawmaker, who has appeared in the Senate just once since he was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in May, chatted with fellow members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee about how to proceed with a healthcare agenda next year. (Globe Staff)

CHICAGO - A new coalition of 22 major medical groups says public confidence in vaccine safety needs to be restored to avoid risks for deadly disease outbreaks. Yesterday's message comes from the Chicago-based American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and 20 more of the nation's most influential health-related groups. Their concern stems from recent measles outbreaks in several US cities. Last month, health officials said 131 children had gotten the measles so far this year - the highest number in more than a decade. Nearly half of the cases involved children whose parents rejected vaccination and many of the cases were traced to outbreaks overseas.(AP)

UPPER MARLBORO - Maryland's medical examiner has concluded a jail inmate accused of killing a police officer was strangled in his cell. Nineteen-year-old Ronnie White was found dead in his cell in June, days after Corporal Richard Findley was struck and dragged by a stolen truck allegedly driven by White. Ivey has said investigators would question seven corrections officers with access to White's cell. (AP)