FDA urging nod for drug to treat women's bowel ills
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee is recommending approval of a new drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome in women.The Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee acted unanimously Tuesday following a daylong session discussing the result of clinical trials on the drug Lotronex, made by Glaxo Wellcome Inc. of Research Triangle Park, N.C.
The FDA is not bound by advisory committee recommendations but usually follows them.
Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder that involves chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements including diarrhea and constipation, and the sudden, urgent need to go to the bathroom.
Handlebar woe prompts recall of mountain bikes
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A California bicycle maker is recalling about 3,000 mountain bikes because they may have defective handlebars that could cause riders to fall and be injured.
The bikes, 21-speed models called "Magna Great Divide," are produced by Dynacraft Industries Inc. of San Rafael, Calif. The bikes could have handlebar stems that don't tighten enough to lock onto the bicycles, causing the front wheel to turn the wrong way, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.
Fred Meyer Stores in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington state sold the bikes from December 1998 through August 18, 1999, for about $160.
The words "Great Divide" are on the cross-tubes of these bicycles and the word "KALLOY" can be found on the handlebar stems.
The bikes, sold in a 24-inch size for girls and boys and a 26-inch size for women and men, have model numbers on the left side of the seat post. The girls' bikes are purple and have the model number 8504-50. The boys' bikes are blue and have the model number 8504-51. The women's bikes, also in purple, have model number 8547-84. The men's bikes have number 8547-85 and are black.
To receive a free replacement handlebar stem from the manufacturer, call 1-800-551-0032.
Congress working to widen health care for veterans
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Reflecting the rapid aging of the nation's veterans, Congress is acting on legislation to expand the Veterans Affairs Department's long-term health care and open its facilities to more vets.
The House on Tuesday approved by voice vote a compromise bill worked out last week by House and Senate negotiators. The Senate is likely to pass the measure, and the president is expected to sign it.
Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Stump, R-Ariz., called the bill, authored in the House by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., "the most comprehensive legislation to be enacted on behalf of American veterans in decades."
Secrecy over jackpot win costs $1.3 million for woman
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A family court judge has ordered a woman to give her entire $1.3 million lottery jackpot to her former husband because she kept it secret during their divorce.
The California State Lottery Commission confirmed that Denise Rossi won the money on Dec. 28, 1996 -- 11 days before she filed for divorce from Thomas Rossi after 25 years of marriage.
Superior Court Judge Richard Denner said Denise Rossi violated state disclosure laws and determined that she acted out of fraud or malice. In court papers, she admitted to concealing her winnings because she didn't want her ex-husband "getting his hands on" them.
JonBenet's parents hope book fuels murder probe
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The parents of JonBenet Ramsey said they hope the investigation into their 6-year-old daughter's murder continues, and that publication of their forthcoming book helps fuel it.
"If the publicity from this book keeps it hot, keeps it on the minds and on the forefront of the public, great," Patsy Ramsey told WSMV-TV in an interview broadcast Tuesday night. "Because somewhere out there is a killer, and we're going to find out who that is."
JonBenet's strangled and beaten body was found in the basement of the family's Boulder, Colo., home in December 1996. Authorities say she also may have been sexually assaulted.
A grand jury last month ended its 13-month investigation without an indictment, but Colorado authorities say the Ramseys remain under suspicion.
Columbine-shooting costs heading toward $8 million
GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) -- School, county and state costs of responding to the shooting at Columbine High School have reached nearly $8 million.
Colorado so far has spent $4.4 million for law enforcement, mental health and school expenses in the April 20 shootings.
That is in addition to $1.8 million spent by Jefferson County and $1.6 million spent by the Jefferson County School District, according to figures before the Governor's Columbine Task Force this week.
The costs will be paid by local, state and federal governments.
Students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 people and wounded 23 others inside the school April 20 before taking their own lives.
Someone other than Ray killed King, his widow says
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s widow testified that she believes someone other than James Earl Ray carried out the killing of her late husband.
Coretta Scott King took the stand Tuesday on the opening day of testimony in a civil lawsuit against Lloyd Jowers, who said on national television in 1993 that he hired someone other than Ray to kill King. He has since refused to discuss his claim.
Ray pleaded guilty to the murder but later recanted. He died in prison last year.
The family sued Jowers hoping to get more information about the case. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Jowers and "unknown co-conspirators."
"If we know the truth, we can be free and go on with our lives," Mrs. King said.
She said she believed Ray "might have had some involvement" in her husband's murder but "was not the person we felt that really, actually killed him."