News Digest:
Monday, August 25, 2008 11:01 AM PDT
Good Afternoon
Idaho
Idaho mulls state’s share of subprime
relief bill
BOISE (AP) — Idaho’s share of federal cash meant to alleviate pain from the nation’s subprime mortgage crisis could top $140 million, with the bulk going to provide funding for low- and moderate-income borrowers or to help rescue those whose interest rates from adjustable-rate mortgages have risen and exceed their budgets. Congress passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 in late July, and a month later officials in all 50 states are assessing just how much money is likely headed their way.
Idaho Housing and Finance Association President Gerald Hunter said this cash infusion could bolster the state’s housing and construction economy.
OregoN
Nail salon chemicals worry health officials
MEDFORD (AP) — Oregon health officials say toxic chemicals in nail care products could put Oregon’s 14,500 salon nail technicians nail salon workers at higher risk of breast cancer or birth defects from inhaling or absorbing the chemicals through the skin. Most of the nation’s nail technicians are women and work with chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate and methyl ethyl ketone. The chemicals are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and long-term health impacts have not been studied.
‘‘The risk is not so much for the person getting the nails done,’’ said Melanie Mesaros, spokeswoman for Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division. ‘‘It’s for the women working there all day.’’
Man held in death of toddler
SCIO (AP) — Linn County sheriff’s deputies have arrested 26-year-old Mario Juan de Dios Tomas on assault, mistreatment and weapons charges in the death of two-year-old Samuel Martinez-Castaneda, whose body was found in Scio.
He is a boyfriend of the child’s mother and has been living at her home. He also was charged Saturday with domestic assault against her.
The mother’s three other children were turned over to their biological father.
Deputies said homicide charges may be filed depending on autopsy results.
