October 27 - November 1, 2008

Louisiana Refinery Fire

Friday, October 31 - A three-alarm fire sent up a large plume of black smoke over a Shreveport refinery Thursday after area residents reported an explosion. No injuries were reported, according to the Associated Press. The refinery has a history of OSHA fines, according to the Shreveport Times.

President Praises FBI

Friday, October 31 - President George W. Bush told a graduating class at the FBI Academy at Quantico Marine Corps Base yesterday that the fact that a major terrorist attack has not hit U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001, is "not an accident." Some are suggesting the anti-terrorist focus will only intensify in the remaining months of a Bush Presidency.

Jellyfish Attack Nuclear Plant

Thursday, October 30 - The Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Station, near San Luis Obispo, California, was shut down by an attack of Jellyfish. Infestations of Jellyfish are increasingly common.

Heavy Snow

Wednesday, October 29 - A foot or more of lake effect snow closed schools, cut power, and snarled traffic across Northern New York. The same system brought measureable snow as far south as the Carolina mountains.

Canadian Trial Convicts of Terrorism

Wednesday, October 29 - "A Canadian software developer who designed and built a remote-control device meant to trigger bomb blasts was found guilty of financing and facilitating terrorism," according to the Toronto Star.

Federal Judge Defines Enemy Combatant

Tuesday, October 28 - Al-Qaida or Taliban supporters who directly assisted in hostile acts against the United States or its allies can be held without charges as enemy combatants, a federal judge ruled Monday. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon takes a first step toward resolving the fate of some of the hundreds of men — many who have been held for years without charges — detained as terror suspects at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (More from the Associated Press.)

Candidates Contrasted

Tuesday, October 28 - Newsday has published a comparison of the Obama and McCain positions on Homeland Security.

Skinheads Accused of Killing Spree Plot

Tuesday, October 28 - Two Tennessee residents have been arrested for conspiracy and weapons charges in an alleged plan to engage in robbery, mass murder, and an attempted assassination of Barack Obama. More from Reuters.