Seattle News Bites: June 16, 2001

While watching our local 8-9 AM television news broadcasts, we couldn't help but feel totally ashamed by the lack of coverage to the days top stories.

New information has surfaced in the Robert Hassen spy case: it now seems that his spying activities had begun 6 years earlier than the government had originally thought! This means that the damage caused might be even greater.
A CNN source has revealed that Hassen actually began his spying back in 1979 and had even confessed this to his wife. He then vowed to stop, and had done so for a while, only to restart again back in 1985.
The government has claimed his wife, Bonnie, was unaware of his spying, but according to the source, his wife told authorities about the confession when she was questioned.
Hassen is facing 21 counts and the Justice Department has said it may not seek the death penalty if he cooperates.
The first of two Russian cargo planes has landed on Hainan Island. The planes will be used to carry the dismantled EP-3 spy plane back to the US.
President Bush meets with Russian Prime Minister Putin today. This will be their first face-to-face meeting.
President Bush has threatened to veto the Patient's Bill of Rights.
More protests today by anti-globalization protesters during the EU Summit meeting. 40 were injured yesterday and today is the last day of the summit.
A federal judge has approved the plan to overhaul the scandal-ridden LAPD. The Justice Department has said the LAPD has a history of civil rights violations, which include the beating and framing of suspects.
The US Navy has given its approval to tow the Japanese ship sunk by the USS Greenville to shallow waters so US and Japanese divers can retrieve the bodies, personal effects, and items unique to the ship. It is expected to cost $40 million and will begin in August.
Planned Parenthood's website will begin offering the "morning-after pill," RU-486 online. Visitors will be able to purchase the pill by completing an online form, which will then be reviewed by a nurse. The service will cost $40 and does not include the cost of the pill itself, which runs about $20.
Juan Garza, who was convicted of ordering three drug-related murders is scheduled to die Monday at the same facility where McVeigh was executed. His lawyers are asking for a Stay of Execution because evidence was presented during his sentencing about other murders committed in Mexico, but ones for which he was never convicted. His lawyers say this was a violation of International Human Rights.
3 Filipino hostages, who were part of the group kidnapped by Muslim rebels in the Philippines, were released unharmed today. Government officials are looking into whether any ransom was paid.
Jon Bennet Ramsey's parents are suing Court-TV for $70 million for falsely accusing their 12 year-old son of committing the murder months after his having been cleared.
The public will soon be able to tour the inside of the Hunley, a Civil War submarine. Three communities are each hoping to be the submarines permanent home.
After a very heated debate, the Presbyterian Church's governing body, has voted to remove a bill which would have banned the ordaining of gay ministers.
California Power Managers will be giving 48, 24, and 2 hr warnings prior to blackouts.
In Texas, police have searched the home of the parents of an 8 year-old girl who was locked in a closet for 4 months. The unnamed girl weighed only 25 pounds upon her release and both her mom and stepdad are in custody.