US & World News, Monday 4/22

US & World Summary --- Obama, Clinton Compete In Todays Pennsylvania Democratic Primary Pennsylvania becomes a vital part of the political landscape today for Democratic White House contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The state will hold its Democratic presidential primary with Clinton favored to win. Obama continues to be the frontrunner in the Democratic race and if he pulls off an upset in Pennsylvania, pressure will grow on Clinton to drop out. Democrats are growing more concerned that, as the Democratic race lingers, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is well on the way toward plotting strategy for the fall campaign. --- Bond Hearing Set For Teen Arrested In Bomb Plot (Chesterfield County, SC) -- An 18-year-old high school student charged with making bomb threats is due back in a Chesterfield County, South Carolina courtroom today. Ryan Shallenberger made his first court appearance yesterday after being taken into custody Saturday for allegedly plotting a Columbine-like bomb attack at Chesterfield High School. He remains in jail pending todays bond hearing. Yesterday, prosecutors recommended Shallenberger undergo a mental evaluation. --- Murder Suspect Pursued, AMBER Alert Issued For Three Children (Chicago, IL) -- Chicago police are looking for a suspect in connection with an alleged murder and abduction case which led to an AMBER Alert for three children. Authorities say the body of 30-year-old Sophia Garcia was found yesterday by family members. Authorities say six-year-old Oscar, seven-year-old Karla and eleven-year-old Fernando Casanova were taken from a home in Chicagos Humboldt Park neighborhood. Police believe he may be heading for Mexico. --- Congress Seeks Number Of Felons Serving In Military (Washington, DC) -- Congress has given the Pentagon a timetable to provide information on how many convicted felons are serving in the military. The Pentagon has a month to provide the figures and information on how the recruits are doing. CNN reports Representative Henry Waxman, who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, asked for the update. The request comes after the Department of Defense issued new statistics showing increasing numbers of ex-cons are now in the ranks of the Army and Marines. --- Colorado Prison Official Says Guards Acted Correctly During Riot (Florence, CO) -- An official of the U.S. Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado says guards responding to a riot over the weekend responded properly. The Union President of Corrections Officers, Ken Shatto, told KOAA-television the prison will remain on lockdown for at least a month during an investigation. Two inmates were killed and at least 30 others injured Sunday afternoon in a clash in the prisons courtyard. Shatto says the riot was apparently sparked by taunts from white supremacists about Sunday being Hitlers birthday. Roughly 200 inmates were involved in the riot. --- Unionized Catholic School Teachers To Decide Today On Contract Offer (Yonkers, NY) -- A decision on a contract offer will be made today by striking teachers at ten Catholic high schools in New York City and the Hudson Valley. The Lay Faculty Association went on strike last week to coincide with Pope Benedict the 16ths visit to New York. Wages and benefits remain the sticking points for the unionized teachers. Church leaders made an offer late Friday through a mediator that is similar to a settlement reached this month with the Federation of Catholic Teachers. --- Springsteen, Band Resume Trek Following Keyboardists Death Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are scheduled to return to the stage tonight. The group postponed last Friday, Saturday, and yesterdays concerts in Florida following the death of band member Danny Federici. The keyboardist, who had been battling melanoma, passed away Thursday afternoon after a three-year battle with the disease. His health kept him off the bands current tour, but he made a guest appearance at last months show in Indianapolis, which turned to be his final performance with the E Streeters. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-04-22-08 0743CDT