House OKs bill on plant security

The three-part legislation would give federal agencies greater power to require chemical and water plants to meet federally set standards, a policy welcomed by environmentalists but opposed by industry groups. It writes into law antiterrorism rules in effect since 2007 and gives new enforcement teeth to the Homeland Security Department over chemical facilities.

The bill, passed by 230-193, now goes to the Senate, where action on a companion bill this year is uncertain. - AP

Bridge-collapse lawsuits settled

About 130 people are affected by the settlement with Progressive Contractors Inc., attorneys said. Hennepin County Judge Deborah Hedlund, who approved the agreement, said financial awards for victims would be kept confidential. Thirteen people were killed in the collapse and 145 were injured.

Similar lawsuits are pending against an engineering company and a design firm.

A separate settlement requires PCI to pay the state $1 million to resolve government claims against the firm.

A federal investigation blamed faulty design as the key reason for the collapse but said the weight of construction materials contributed to it. - AP

ACORN offices are raided in La.

"This is an investigation of everything - ACORN, the national organization, the local organization, and all of its affiliated entities, specifically as it relates to any potential violations of Louisiana law," Assistant Attorney General David Caldwell said.

An ACORN attorney, Pamela Marple, said the raid was prompted by allegations that former ACORN employees had removed or altered electronic documents and might do so again. She said ACORN was cooperating. State prosecutors said their probe stemmed from allegations last year by board members involving embezzlement at ACORN nearly a decade ago. - AP

Elsewhere:

All public recreation land managed by the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation will waive entrance fees on Veterans Day next Wednesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.