Ledes March 4,2009

Jazmine Gaona
Ledes

U.S. sued for benefits for same-sex marriages
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/03/same.sex.lawsuit/index.html
“A legal advocacy group sued the federal government Tuesday, seeking benefits for 15 gay and lesbian Massachusetts residents who wed after the state legalized same-sex marriage.” Group says federal government denies same-sex couples benefits, protections. Plaintiffs include surviving spouse of former U.S. congressman. Gay rights aren’t being given to a large extent.

W.Va. Lawmaker Wants To Ban Barbie
http://www.wpxi.com/news/18845355/detail.html

“Barbie could get an unwelcome present for her 50th birthday: outlawed in West Virginia.” A state lawmaker proposed a bill Tuesday to ban sales of the iconic Mattel doll and others like her. Barbie has had her foes over that half-century. Critics said the doll promotes materialism and an unnatural body image. Although its just a doll, its causing quite the controversy.

Filthy Child Leads Police To Filthier Home; Woman Arrested
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18846438/detail.html
“A St. Johns County woman was recently arrested after police found a young girl in her custody covered with dirt and wandering around a shopping center.” Police said that the four year old girl they found walking around alone in a St. Augustine Wal-Mart was covered with dirt had magic marker on her hands and face and hair matted to her head. They also said that it was obvious the child had not been bathed in while. “The officer said Devlin and the girl were living in filth. The child was sleeping on two seat cushions because her bed was littered with garbage, and a dog in the home was covered in feces.”

Student Creates Alcohol-Flavored Popcorn
http://www.kctv5.com/news/18830853/detail.html
“A student at University of Missouri in Columbia has created "Pub Corn," alcohol-flavored popcorn”. The popcorn is produced in Lincoln Nebraska. The maker soaked the kernels in whiskey, and even tried injecting it with a syringe but nothing worked. Silverman didn't give up, and he finally came up with non-alcoholic coatings that taste like beer, piña colada and Irish Cream. The main people to buy his products are truck drivers and pregnant woman.