NATIONAL BRIEFS

ILLINOIS: Veto on guns overridden

Illinois, the last holdout on allowing the public possession of concealed guns, joined the rest of the nation Tuesday as lawmakers raced to beat a federal court deadline in adopting a carry law over Gov. Pat Quinn's objections. Huge majorities in the House and Senate overrode changes the Democratic governor made just a week ago in an amendatory veto. Some lawmakers feared failure to pass something would mean virtually unregulated weapons in Chicago, which has endured severe gun violence in recent months including more than 70 shootings, 12 of them fatal, during the Independence Day weekend. "This is a historic, significant day for law-abiding gun owners," said Rep. Brandon Harris, a southern Illinois Democrat who in 10 years in the House has continued work on concealed carry begun by his uncle, ex-Rep. David Phelps, who began serving in the mid-1980s. Quinn had used his veto to suggest changes, including prohibiting guns in restaurants that serve alcohol and limiting gun-toting citizens to one firearm at a time.

TEXAS: Picking Ft. Hood jury begins

Maj. Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist charged in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage, declined to ask potential jurors any questions Tuesday as jury selection began in his long-awaited murder trial. Hasan, serving as his own attorney, didn't take notes or confer with his former defense attorneys, who will help if he asks. During the initial proceeding with 20 potential jurors, Hasan sat quietly in his wheelchair as the judge gave preliminary instructions. Hasan, 42, faces execution or life without parole if convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 of attempted premeditated murder.

MASSACHUSETTS: Serious illnesses ruled out

Doctors treating Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, ruled out several serious conditions such as a brain tumor, stroke or heart attack as causes of the seizure-like symptoms she experienced, a Kerry spokesman said Tuesday. Heinz Kerry, 74, was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital after becoming ill Sunday on Nantucket. She was in fair condition, State Department spokesman Glen Johnson said.

NEVADA: 2 huge fires in mountains

Crews worked Tuesday to stop two large wildfires in rugged mountain areas, one billowing smoke visible from downtown Las Vegas and another southwest of Reno. Fifty firefighters were added to the lines on Mount Charleston, bringing to more than 800 the number of personnel battling a blaze identified as the top priority in the West, the U.S. Forest Service said.