News Digest

Monday, October 1, 2007 11:32 AM PDT

THE WEST

Wolf control plan criticized

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — An environmental group is claiming a proposal to let states kill packs of endangered wolves that prey on big game herds would result in the eradication of wolves across much of the Northern Rockies.

The Natural Resources defense council says ‘‘nearly 600 wolves’’ could be killed in Idaho and Wyoming through aerial gunning operations that would be allowed under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal.

But federal and state wildlife officials described the group’s claim — to be aired in nationwide television advertisements starting Monday — as ‘‘misleading.’’ They said the number wolves targeted would likely be in the dozens, and only in areas where the animals are a factor driving down elk populations.

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THE NATION

Low-income smokers would pay disproportionate share of children’s health plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats have chosen an unlikely source to pay for the bulk of their proposed $35 billion increase in children’s health coverage: people with relatively little money and education. The program expansion passed by the House and Senate last week would be financed with a 156 percent increase in the federal cigarette tax, taking it to $1 per pack from the current 39 cents. Low-income people smoke more heavily than do wealthier people in the United States, making cigarette taxes a regressive form of revenue.

OREGON

Prisons get new model Taser stun guns

SALEM (AP) — High-tech Tasers equipped with digital cameras are being distributed to prison guards to help control an inmate population that has reached about 13,500.

But inmates and civil rights activists say they are concerned the Tasers could be used to punish inmates, including mentally ill prisoners. Nearly 100 corrections officers across the state are being trained on how and when to use the shock-inducing weapons, intended to help prevent injuries to both guards and inmates.

‘‘The officers are able to quickly subdue the (inmate) versus wrestling with him for some time,’’ said Paula Allen, Department of Corrections chief of security.