Nation Digest

NEW YORK

Swine Flu Outbreak Shuts Down 3 Schools

New York City has closed three schools in response to a swine flu outbreak that has left an assistant principal in critical condition and sent hundreds of children home with flu symptoms, in a flare-up of the virus that caused such concern around the world last month.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (I) said four students and the assistant principal have documented cases of the H1N1 flu at a Queens middle school. More than 50 students at the school have gone home sick with flulike symptoms, he said. At another Queens middle school, 241 students were absent Thursday. Dozens more were sick at an elementary school.

The health department said the assistant principal from the Susan B. Anthony middle school is on a ventilator, marking the most severe illness in the city from swine flu to date. The students who have fallen ill in this latest surge of illness appear to be experiencing mild symptoms, similar to routine flu.

Bloomberg said that the three locations -- all special-education schools with more than 4,000 students -- would be closed for at least a week because "there are an unusually high level of flulike illnesses at those schools."

Meanwhile, in Arizona, a woman suffering from a lung condition has apparently become the fourth person with swine flu to die in the nation, authorities said. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health reported that the woman, in her late 40s, died last week of what appears to be complications of the influenza.

-- Associated Press

California Ordering Layoffs to Combat Deficit: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) said thousands of state employees must be laid off and billions of dollars must be slashed from the budget to deal with a deficit that tops $15 billion and could widen within days. "I understand that these cuts are very painful and they affect real lives," he said. "This is the harsh reality and the reality that we face."

Habitat for Humanity Gets $100 Million Gift: The housing market may be sputtering, but Habitat for Humanity International is getting a $100 million gift from Atlanta developer J. Ronald Terwilliger, who said his work has offered him a look at poor people's struggle to find decent housing. The nonprofit group said the money, which it called its largest individual contribution, will help it build 60,000 houses worldwide.

N.H. Governor Wants Gay-Marriage Bill to Shield Churches: New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) said he will sign a bill to make his state the sixth to legalize same-sex marriage, but only if it strengthens protections for churches opposed to the practice. The bill, which the legislature has passed, would allow churches to decide whether they will conduct weddings for gay couples.

Storms Kill Three in Midwest: Violent storms tore through four Midwestern states, killing three people in the Kirksville, Mo., area; damaging dozens of homes; and leaving thousands without power.

Ex-Senator Paid Lawyers at Least $1 Million: Former senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) spent at least $1 million on legal bills to defend himself against charges that he failed to report gifts, according to a final financial disclosure form filed this week with the Senate.

-- From News Services