US & World News, Friday 4/11

US & World Summary --- American Airlines Cancels Additional Flights (Fort Worth, TX) -- An aircraft inspection-related mess continues today for travelers on American Airlines. About 570 flights scheduled for today will not make it into the air. American cancelled todays flights to continue inspections on the airlines MD-80 fleet to meet an FAA air worthiness directive. Airline officials said about half of their 300 MD-80 aircraft had been returned to service as of late yesterday afternoon. The airline is trying to accommodate passengers on other flights or on other airlines. Customers who were scheduled on a flight that was cancelled can request a full refund or apply the value of their ticket toward future travel on American Airlines. --- Frontier Airlines Files For Chapter Eleven Reorganization (Denver, CO) -- Another airliner has filed for bankruptcy. Denver-based Frontier says its filing for Chapter 11 reorganization, but will continue normal operations and a complete flight schedule. The airline says it will continue honoring tickets and reservations and that the move gives Frontier the time and legal protection, quote, "necessary to obtain additional financing and enhance our liquidity." The company says the move was forced after their principal credit card processor unexpectedly informed Frontier that, beginning today, it intends to start withholding "significant proceeds" received from Frontier ticket sales. --- Cesar Laurean Captured In Mexico A Marine whom authorities believe murdered pregnant Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach is awaiting extradition to North Carolina from Mexico. Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean is in custody after being on the run since January. Lauterbach was eight months pregnant when she disappeared on December 14th of last year. Her body was later found in Laureans back yard. Onslow County officials will hold a press conference Friday at 2 p.m., local time. --- Georgia Patients Records On Web (Atlanta, GA) --- Thousands of people in Georgia are being notified their private health records have been exposed on the Internet. The "New York Times" cites WellCare Health Plans spokeswoman Amy Knapp as saying the records of as many as 71-thousand adults and children enrolled in the Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids programs were mistakenly posted on February 12th. The company was hired by the state of Georgia to administer health benefits for low-income patients. Knapp says the mistake was discovered on March 28th and it took five more days to remove the information that included names, Social Security numbers and birth dates. --- UAW, American Axle Set For More Talks (Detroit, MI) -- More bargaining talks are scheduled today between the striking UAW workers and American Axle. Negotiations resumed yesterday with little progress. The company issued a statement saying the proposal by the union was only slightly better and still far higher than what rival axle makers have received. A former UAW Local official says its a bad sign that a settlement could be reached anytime soon because of company CEO Dick Dauchs 1/81/8 DOWs 3/83/8 insistence of wage rates of 14-dollars an hour. --- Randi Rhodes Resigns From Air America Radio talk show host Randi Rhodes has resigned from Air America Media. She was suspended last week for what Air America termed "abusive, obscene" remarks Rhodes made about Hillary Clinton and former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. She made the comments during a March 22nd public appearance in San Francisco sponsored by an Air America affiliate station. Rhodes had been with Air America since 2004. Her talk show focused on liberal political views. --- Round Two Of The Master Tees Off Today (Augusta, GA) -- The second round of The Masters Tournament is underway in Augusta, Georgia. At the end of yesterdays first round, Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman shared the lead with four-under 68s. Brian Bateman, Brandt Snedeker and Lee Westwood are one shot back at three-under. Four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods sits four strokes behind the leaders after carding an even-par 72 in the first round. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-04-11-08 0738CDT