A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, February 18, 1999

Louisiana abortion clinics asked a federal court to block a Feb. 5 order from Republican Gov. Mike Foster that gives the state power to conduct emergency medical inspections at abortion clinics. Foster announced the executive order after reports of unsanitary conditions at some facilities. The clinics say the plan violates their constitutional protection from unlawful searches.
• Clinics File Suit on Order (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 18)

"I'm warming to the task." – Texas Gov. George W. Bush, on chances he'll run for president. (The Dallas Morning News, Feb. 18) .

The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed the constitutionality of a law keeping abortion protesters eight feet away from clinic buildings.
• Abortion Clinic 'Buffer' OK'd (The Denver Post, Feb. 17)

Meanwhile, several state legislatures are considering abortion-related legislation.
• Bill to Step Up Reporting on Teen Abortions Advances (The Star-Tribune, Feb. 17)
• Foes Decry Parental Consent Bill (The Topeka Capital-Journal, Feb. 16)
• Abortion Delay Bill Advances (The Arizona Republic, Feb. 11)

Los Angeles Likely to Be Site for Democratic Convention
The Democratic National Committee sent its final list of requirements to Los Angeles before the city is officially named the site of the 2000 Democratic presidential nominating convention.
• L.A. Tightens Grasp on 2000 Convention (Los Angeles Times, Feb. 18)
• Denver Out, L.A. In for Dems in 2000 (Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Feb. 18)
• LA's Edge? Just Count the Votes, Say Analysts (The Boston Globe, Feb. 18)

Gubernatorial Justice: Tucker Denied, Patton Delayed
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected former Arkansas governor Jim Guy Tucker's request for a new trial. Tucker was convicted in May 1996 for conspiring with James McDougal in connection with Whitewater.
• Tucker Loses Bad-Juror Bid for New Trial (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Feb. 18)

Four men accused of breaking Kentucky election laws to help get Gov. Paul Patton (D) elected in 1995 will not face trial until after Patton completes his reelection bid this year.
• Patton Aides Trial Set for Nov. 15 (Lexington Herald-Leader, Feb. 16)

2000 Tidbits: Giuliani Down; Florida May Move Up
A new poll of New York City voters shows their approval of Republican Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has dropped to 44 percent from his high of 85 percent.
• Poll Finds Giuliani's Popularity Dipping (The Times-Union, Feb. 18)

Florida Republican state legislators are expected to announce a bill today to move up Florida's presidential primary date from March 14 to March 7, the date on which both New York and California will hold their primaries.
• Florida Might Move Up Primary (St. Petersburg Times, Fla., Feb. 18)

Ryan Thornburg can be reached at ryan.thornburg@washingtonpost.com