Page One

Parents like small schools more than educators

By David Scharfenberg Daily Planet staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

Parents have a rosier picture of small schools than teachers, according to a nationwide poll released Tuesday by Public Agenda, a nonpartisan public opinion agency based in New York. -more-



Cal rugby ready for Canadian challenge

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

When a team wins 11 straight national titles, it becomes apparent that the competition provided within the United States isn’t quite getting it done. That’s where the Cal men’s rugby team is: they haven’t been beaten by an American team since 1996 and routinely beat their domestic competition by 50 points or more. The answer: import tougher opponents. -more-



Council silent on ‘nonaction’ against Cal

By Devona Walker Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

In closed session yesterday the city sealed the lid on a possible lawsuit against University of California Berkeley’s plan to put a parking structure and offices on Berkeley’s southside. But perhaps more importantly, it sealed the details of that closed session meeting by further deciding not to report on it — disallowing councilmembers to speak about what took place behind closed doors. -more-



Sports shorts

Wednesday February 20, 2002

Keys a finalist for inaugural McDonald’s girls’ game -more-



School board weighs budget cuts; City of Franklin closure very likely

By David Scharfenberg Daily Planet staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

Members of the Board of Education say they are poised to close City of Franklin School, lay off the security manager at Berkeley High School and move to a six-period day at BHS, endorsing many of the key budget cuts identified by Superintendent Michele Lawrence in a $3 million package released Friday. -more-



Gov. Davis kicks off re-election campaign at weekend convention

By Malcolm Gay Special to the Daily Planet
Wednesday February 20, 2002

Los Angeles — Speaking at the state Democratic convention this weekend, Gov. Gray Davis praised himself and attacked GOP opponents as uninspired and driven by corporate interests, in what many observers called the unofficial beginning of Davis’ bid for re-election. -more-



Today in History

Staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2002. There are 314 days left in the year. -more-



News

Council chooses plans from Cohen, Rizzo for further study

Staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

Though various community members lauded the redistricting proposal brought forth by 16-year-old Nick Rizzo, it was Elliott Cohen’s plan that received the unanimous approval of the Council. -more-


San Francisco residents don’t trust elections department

The Associated Press
Wednesday February 20, 2002

SAN FRANCISCO — Dogged by scandal, the city’s Elections Department has lost credibility in the eyes of many San Franciscans, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle. -more-


Half Moon Bay man claims his share of $193 million lottery

By Colleen Valles The Associated Press
Wednesday February 20, 2002

SAN FRANCISCO — Andy Kampe was six when his family fled the communists in Latvia, fearing for their lives. He still remembers seeing the Statue of Liberty when they arrived in America. -more-


Survey finds employer-sponsored insurance rates rose 9.9 percent

The Associated Press
Wednesday February 20, 2002

MENLO PARK — California workers paid nearly 10 percent more for their employer-provided health insurance last year than the year before, although their costs were still under the national average, a survey found. -more-


Bay Area Briefs

Staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

Kidnapper may be first to hand over DNA -more-


Cheney says Iraq ’harbors terrorist groups’

SBy Erica Werner The Associated Press
Wednesday February 20, 2002

YORBA LINDA — Vice President Dick Cheney said Tuesday that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s regime “harbors terrorist groups,” expanding on the Bush administration’s claims of a so-called axis of evil made up of Iraq, Iran and North Korea. -more-



Failing Global Crossing gave contracts to son of one key executive

The Associated Press
Wednesday February 20, 2002

BEVERLY HILLS — Global Crossing, which is seeking bankruptcy protection after one of the most spectacular flameouts in U.S. telecommunications history, gave contracts to a fledgling Internet firm run by the son of one of its own senior executives. -more-


Cancer patients hurt by ImClone downturn

By Paul Elias The Associated Press
Wednesday February 20, 2002

SAN FRANCISCO — Shareholders aren’t the only ones upset by ImClone Systems Inc.’s dwindling stock price and its troubles with the Food and Drug Administration and an angry corporate partner. -more-


Editorials

News of the Weird

Staff
Wednesday February 20, 2002

The science of pot -more-


Reader Commentaries