US & World News, Thursday 6/12

US & World Summary --- Four Killed, More Than 40 Scouts Hurt In Iowa Tornado (Glencoe, IA) -- Four Boy Scouts are dead and more than 40 others injured after a tornado ripped through their western Iowa campground last night. An Iowa Department of Public Safety spokesman says 42 Scouts were hospitalized after the tornado tore through the Little Sioux Scout Ranch located midway between Sioux City, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. Meanwhile, at least two people are dead after a tornado hit near Manhattan, Kansas. Those killed were in the town of Chapman, about 20 miles southwest of Manhattan. Last nights twister also caused serious damage at Kansas State University. --- Several People Shot In DC Last Night (Washington, DC) -- Eight people were wounded last night after gunfire erupted in an area of Washington, DC thats the focus of an anti-crime program. The "Washington Post" reports the program, which began last Saturday and was set to end yesterday, has been extended by DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier. Under the program, police stop drivers in the neighborhood to make sure they have a valid reason for being in the area. Authorities say the initiative has been successful in reducing violence in an area of the city that has seen an increase in homicides. 1/81/8 Note Nature of the Following 3/83/8 --- Marine Booted Out Of Corps Over Puppy Throwing Video (Honolulu, HI) -- A Marine lance corporal has been drummed out of the Corps over a YouTube video that shows him throwing a puppy to its death off a cliff in Iraq. The "Everett Herald" reports 22-year-old David Motari was discharged during a hearing at the Hawaii base where he was stationed. A statement from the Marine Corps condemned the action as, quote, "deplorable conduct, contrary to the high standards expected of every Marine and will not be tolerated." --- Same-Sex Couples To Receive Marriage Licenses Tuesday (Los Angeles, CA) -- Same-sex couples in California are looking forward to next Tuesday. Thats the first day marriage licenses will be issued after a court order allowing the unions goes into full effect. In Los Angeles County, licenses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, while Orange County has been allowing couples to make appointments to get licenses. The "L.A. Times" says San Diego County already has 160 couples that have made appointments for Tuesday. --- State Farm Wont Renew Some Mississippi Policies Some Mississippi residents living near water are having problems getting insurance after Hurricane Katrina. The "Sun Herald" reports State Farm Fire and Casualty Company has decided not to renew property insurance policies for customers that live within one-thousand-feet of the Mississippi Sound. The company cites the "unpredictable" legal and business environment. State Farm says it also wont include wind coverage in homeowners policies for existing customers who are one-thousand to 25-hundred-feet from the water. --- Tiger Returns To The PGA Tour For The U.S. Open (San Diego, CA) -- The U.S. Open tees off today on the Torrey Pines course north of San Diego. All eyes will be on Tiger Woods as he plays in his first tournament since being sidelined from knee surgery. The worlds number-one male golfer hasnt played since The Masters in April. Woods will be paired off with fellow top contender Phil Mickelson in a group that tees off just after 11 a.m. this morning Eastern time. --- No Emmy For "Greys Anatomy" Actress Katherine Heigl One Hollywood actress doesnt want an Emmy Award for her work. "Greys Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl says she doesnt want to be considered for this years primetime Emmys race. Heigl, won an award last year for Best Supporting Actress in A Drama Series, but tells the Los Angeles "Times" that she had withdrawn her name from consideration this year. She says "Greys Anatomy" writers did not provide her with Emmy-worthy material to work with and wants to, quote, "maintain the integrity of the academy organization." (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-06-12-08 0843CDT