A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

After three years on the job, Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci has weathered his share of political problems, none of which carried as much weight and importance as the troubled "Big Dig" highway project. Faced with massive cost overruns and a scathing federal audit, Cellucci on Tuesday removed the project's chief, James Kerasiotes, and replaced him with an old friend and ally, Andrew Natsios.

But Natsios's job is greater than bailing out the largest public works project in U.S. history – he also needs to bail Cellucci out from a politically damaging situation that could hurt the governor's chances for a second term, or a possible cabinet position in a George W. Bush administration.

"This happened on my watch. I accept responsibility for it." Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci, on the cost overruns a federal audit claims were intentionally concealed by managers of the state's 'Big Dig' highway project. (Boston Herald, Apr. 12)

• Dig May Bury Second Term for Governor
(Boston Herald, Apr. 12)
• Old Friend Called on to Restore Credibility
(The Boston Globe, Apr. 12)
• Boston's 'Big Dig' Buried in Cost Overruns
(The Washington Post, Apr. 12)

Though Kerasiotes gave in to Cellucci's resignation request, the former project chief waged a furious campaign to hold onto his job – such as bringing on board a lawyer with close ties to the White House – as opposition mounted.
• Project Chief Was a Fighter to the End
(The Boston Globe, Apr. 12)

Faced with a federal audit report that discounts most of Cellucci's solutions to the project's financial problems, Massachusetts lawmakers must work quickly to find a way to raise the money necessary to bail out the "Big Dig."
• Pressure Now on Legislature to Unearth 'Sound' Revenue Sources for Project
(Boston Herald, Apr. 12)

South Carolina Lawmakers Take Up Flag, MLK Holiday
After months of contentious debate and national attention, South Carolina lawmakers today will take up the two issues that have divided their state. The Senate will finally open floor debate on an assortment of proposals to remove the Confederate flag from atop the state capitol building, while the House takes up a bill that would establish a permanent Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in South Carolina.
• Flag Debate Begins Today in Senate
(Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Apr. 12)
• Lawmakers to Debate Flag Plans
(The State, Columbia, S.C., Apr. 12)

Republican leaders who had mostly stayed out of the flag debate until the NAACP agreed to ease its tourism boycott relented Tuesday and offered their own proposal to remove the flag.
• S.C. House Leaders File Bill to Remove Confederate Flag
(The Charlotte Observer, Apr. 12)

Clinton to Get Cool Reception from Colorado Governor
Though they both have fought for stricter gun regulations in the face of Republican adversity, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens (R) won't be on hand to greet President Clinton at a Tuesday rally in Denver. Owens supports the ballot initiative Clinton is in Colorado to push, but says the president is playing politics too close to the April 20 anniversary of the Columbine shootings.
• Colorado Officials to Snub Clinton
(Denver Post, Apr. 12)
• Faceoff Over Guns Not to Be
(Denver Rocky Mountain News, Apr. 12)

Philly Mayor Files Suit Against Gun Industry
Following through on a campaign promise from last year's election, Philadelphia Mayor John Street unveiled a package of anti-crime initiatives Tuesday that includes a lawsuit against the nation's top gun manufacturers – a move the state legislature pointedly prohibited with a recently passed law.
• Street Sues Gun Makers
(Philadelphia Daily News, Apr. 12)
• Street Unveils a Package of Initiatives to Fight Crime
(Philadelphia Inquirer, Apr. 12)