Monday News

• Underage students carrying more sophisticated fake IDs

  For Rob Luckett, it was a matter of handing $50 over at a Manhattan tattoo parlor.

• Economy may disrupt candidates' energy plans

  Today, with stories on energy, Newsday begins a series examining where presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama stand on key campaign issues - and how those issues affect Long Islanders. Over the next several weeks, leading up to the presidential election on Nov. 4, the series will examine health care, the environment and climate change, the economy, immigration, the wars

• Bailout focus now turns to mechanics

  Now comes the hard part.

• New voters surge on LI with Democrats gaining most

  DEMS OUTPACE GOP

• WORLD & NATION UPDATE: ABROAD

  Tropical Storm Norbert strengthened well off Mexico's southern Pacific coast yesterday and threatened to become a hurricane in 24 hours, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Norbert formed overnight and was centered 250 miles south of Zihuatanejo, a resort town north of Acapulco. It had winds of 60 mph. The storm could become a hurricane by today. But its northwestern path was taking it farther from land, said Jamie Rhome, a hurricane specialist with the Miami-based center. Tropical Storm Marie, meanwhile, lingered 875 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, posing no threat to land.

• Credit crunch creates Catch-22 on energy

  With both presidential candidates promising new levels of commitment to new renewable energy sources, you'd think Stuart Cohen of Deer Park would be thrilled.

• Colleges educate students early about alcohol dangers

  The effort to educate students about the dangers of alcohol starts much earlier than the first day of classes on many Long Island college campuses.

• Pirates in Somalia more of a force than thought

  NAIROBI, Kenya - With a Russian frigate closing in and a half-dozen U.S. warships within shouting distance, the pirates holding a tanker off Somalia's coast might appear to have no other choice than to wave the white flag.

• 81 disabled athletes battle rain in 5K run

  Rain was bouncing off the parking lot pavement as 81 competitors converged on Sunken Meadow State Park for a Sunday morning 5K run. And for the first mile of the race, runners faced wind and what one runner described as a "treacherous downpour."

• Kathy Wollard: HOW COME: How compact discs are able to play music

  How does a compact disc work so that we hear music? asks a reader.

• National Grid exec, Obama donor denies he's a lobbyist

  Sen. Barack Obama makes much of rejecting contributions from lobbyists for his presidential campaign - and slams Sen. John McCain for his close ties to a number of them.

• Frances Feldman of USC dies; found cancer patient bias

  LOS ANGELES - Frances Lomas Feldman, a University of Southern California professor and social work pioneer who conducted a groundbreaking study in the 1970s that showed cancer patients faced discrimination in the workplace, has died. She was 95.

• WALL STREET TURMOIL: THE LATEST

  DEBT FORGIVEN AFTER SUICIDE TRY. Mortgage finance company Fannie Mae said it is forgiving the mortgage debt of a 90-year-old woman who shot herself in the chest as sheriff's deputies attempted to evict her. Addie Polk's plight was cited by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) on Friday before the House voted to approve the $700-billion financial rescue package. Kucinich voted against the plan. Fannie Mae announced later Friday that it would dismiss its foreclosure action, forgive Polk's mortgage and allow her to return to the Akron home where she's lived since 1970. Polk remained in Akron General Medical Center and was expected to recover from chest wounds suffered last week.

• Hurricane Ike spilled 500,000 gallons of oil

  WASHINGTON - Hurricane Ike's winds and massive waves destroyed oil platforms, tossed storage tanks and punctured pipelines. Only now is the environmental damage becoming apparent: At least a half million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico and the marshes, bayous and bays of Louisiana and Texas, according to an analysis of federal data by The Associated Press.

• Nation's largest autism walk held Sunday at Jones Beach

  In 2003, Cindy Wittels watched as her year-old son Tyler began to "disappear." First, he lost his language. Then he stopped responding to his name and making eye contact. Soon after, Tyler was diagnosed with autism.

• WORLD & NATION UPDATE: AT HOME

  After 32 reports of salmonella poisoning, the government is urging consumers to thoroughly cook frozen chicken dinners. The health warning by the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited frozen dishes in which the chicken is raw, but breaded or pre-browned, giving the appearance of being cooked. They include "chicken cordon bleu," "chicken Kiev," or chicken breasts stuffed with cheese, vegetables or other items. USDA said many of the people in 12 states who became ill apparently did not follow instructions and microwaved the chicken dishes even though instructions did not provide for it. Microwaving didn't heat the meals enough to kill salmonella. The department said consumers should cook chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

• Great Neck sewage district submits plans for new plant

  After months of negotiations and missed deadlines, the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District has submitted plans to the state for a $68-million sewage treatment plant.

• WAR UPDATE

  Egypt sent its foreign minister to Iraq yesterday for the first time in nearly two decades in a sign of growing Arab acceptance of the country's Shia-led government.

• REALITY CHECK

  WHO'S THE HOST? Malverne's favorite son, the actor and former middleweight fighter Tony Danza of "Taxi," "Who's the Boss?" et al., follows in Sugar Ray Leonard's boot-steps as the new host of the boxing reality show "The Contender." Season 4 of the series that wouldn't quit - it's on its third network, after NBC and ESPN - is set to premiere on Versus, the former Outdoor Life Network, in December.

• Obama allies warn of retaliation if McCain gets personal

  ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Barack Obama's allies warn that John McCain's attacks on the Democrat's character will lead to the political equivalent of mutual assured destruction: Fire your big weapon at your own peril.

• Palin defends "terrorist" attack on Obama

  BURLINGAME, Calif. - Sarah Palin defended her claim that Barack Obama "pals around with terrorists," saying the Democratic presidential nominee's association with a 1960s radical is an issue that is "fair to talk about."

• Frank Antkow, retired Suffolk police sergeant, dies

  Frank Antkow, a retired Suffolk County police sergeant who gained friends with his calm and cheerful demeanor, died Sept. 28. He was 84.

• FBI: Bones unearthed in E. Farmingdale aren't human

  FBI agents unearthed yesterday what first appeared to be human bones at a location in East Farmingdale where an informant has told authorities that the bodies of three people - all victims of mob-related violence over the years - are buried, sources said.

• Horse cruelty case sparks SPCA campaign in Suffolk

  A week after five malnourished horses were rescued from a Central Islip stable, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has begun a campaign to identify other cases of horse cruelty and neglect.

• Madonna revs it as 'Sticky and Sweet' tour kicks off

  Forget subtlety.

• O.J. isolated in jail as attorneys plan appeal

  LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety but continues to hope for a new trial and a strong bid to reverse his conviction for kidnapping and robbery, his lawyer said yesterday.

• Hedgehogs and hamsters and lizards, oh, my!

  CHICAGO - Warning: Young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets - or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter - because of risks of disease.

• Fey's Palin gives 'SNL' big boost

  It's starting to feel like Tina Fey is running for vice president.

• Russians making moves to abandon Georgia positions

  NADARBAZEVI, Georgia - Russian troops began yesterday dismantling positions in the so-called security zones inside Georgia that they have occupied since August's war, Georgian and EU officials said, a sign Russia will fulfill its pledged pullback.

• McCain's brother calls Virgina counties 'communist'

  WASHINGTON - John McCain's brother apparently made a joke at a campaign rally during the weekend that might not play well in parts of newly competitive Virginia.

• Schumer seeks temporary small-business loan program

  Sen. Charles Schumer yesterday called on the Bush administration to create a temporary small-business direct-loan program to serve as a bridge until funds kick in from the $700-billion federal bailout for Wall Street banks.

• Original Carvel shop serves up final cones

  The original Carvel shop was serving its last cones yesterday, more than seven decades after becoming the suburban New York birthplace of an ice cream empire.

• 'Chihuahua' best in show at box office

  "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" was barking up the right tree with moviegoers, who put the Disney comedy at No. 1 for the weekend with a $29-million debut, The Associated Press reports.

• WALL STREET TURMOIL: THE WEEK AHEAD

  STRONG DOUBTS. Financial markets face an uncertain and possibly volatile week as investors await details about how the Treasury will implement the government's financial rescue package. NEW WORLDVIEW. The markets have switched focus to the world economy as governments across Europe rush to prop up failing banks.

• Report: Staph infections add to flu danger for children

  CHICAGO - More children have died from flu because they also had staph infections, according to a new government report that urges parents to have their kids get the flu shot.

• Man charged with drunken driving, hit-and-run

  A Plainview man was charged with drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident Sunday after rear-ending the car of an off-duty Nassau police officer, police said.

• WALL STREET TURMOIL: Reasons for 3rd run

  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he's seeking a third term because tough times require an independent mayor.

• TWO MEN ARRESTED IN CEDARHURST ROBBERY ATTEMPT

  Nassau police arrested two Inwood men in connection with an attempted robbery of a 17-year-old in Cedarhurst.

• California bus crash kills 5 and injures 30

  WILLIAMS, Calif. - Authorities say five people died and dozens were injured after a Greyhound bus overturned in north-central California.

• MAN FOUND FATALLY SHOT INSIDE HIS CAR

  A Jamaica man was shot to death inside his Jeep on Watson Place in Jamaica, the apparent victim of a murder-robbery, New York City police said yesterday.

• THIS DATE IN HISTORY

  1884: The Naval War College was established in Newport, R.I.

• Monday, Oct. 06, 2008

  The caption accompanying a photo of the Broadway musical "13" in yesterday's Fanfare omitted Elizabeth Egan Gillies' last name.