States weigh tolls and taxes as road funds shrink
Governors and legislatures face aged road networks with stagnant federal support. Missouri Governor Nixon floated raising the gasoline tax and reviving tolls on I-70 via private tolling. AP figures show federal highway money fell 3.5 percent over five years to 2013, with only Alaska and New York bucking the trend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South
Transportation Department
Jay Nixon
Associated Press
Federal Highway Trust Fund
Alaska
New York
Few veterans use private medical care option under Choice Cards
Washington reports show only 27,000 veterans have scheduled private care since November, out of 8.6 million Choice Cards mailed. Lawmakers seek authority to redirect funds to VA facilities and fix rural eligibility rules based on flying distance rather than driving miles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Department of Veterans Affairs
Congress
Robert McDonald
Afghan Taliban peace talks may begin soon in Kabul
Afghan government and Taliban talks could start soon as President Ghani says grounds for peace are better than in 36 years. Officials and diplomats note regional powers including Pakistan pressuring the insurgents to open a peace channel, with contact possible as early as March.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kabul
Afghanistan
Taliban
Ashraf Ghani
United States
Ghani
Pakistan
States Seek Alternatives for Highway and Bridge Funding
Jefferson City Missouri report notes Interstate 70 between St Louis and Kansas City, built in the 1950s and 60s with a 20 year life, now crumbling and congested. The four lane corridor carries over 30,000 vehicles daily on rural sections, needing costly repaving. Rebuilding and widening could cost 2 to 4 billion dollars, up to five times annual Missouri budget for construction and maintenance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jefferson City
St. Louis
Kansas City
Prisoner exchange under darkness near Zholobok
Ukrainian military and separatist representatives completed a prisoner swap at a remote frontline site near Zholobok. A total of 139 Ukrainian troops and 52 rebels were exchanged as part of a process aimed at peace. Soldiers were gathered and ordered to depart separatist-held Donetsk and Luhansk regions after the swap.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Zholobok
Ukraine
Ano Man’s Land
Luhansk
Donetsk
Malcolm X assassination anniversary observed in Harlem
About 300 people gathered in New York City to honor Malcolm X at the Harlem site of his 1965 assassination. Ilyasah Shabazz spoke along with elected officials at the Malcolm X Memorial Center, noting the slain leader’s youth and sacrifice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
New York City
Malcolm X
Harlem
Ilyasah Shabazz
Betty Shabazz
Audubon Ballroom
Shabazz
el Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
Governors push to fund Homeland Security without immigration overhaul
Several Republican governors urge congressional leaders to fund the Homeland Security budget next week only if it also overturns President Obama s immigration actions. With DHS facing a February 27 funding deadline, governors warn of economic and security risks and press for a resolution amid court fights over executive actions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
GOP
Department of Homeland Security
Barack Obama
Congress
Oklahoma
Mary Fallin
Obama
Texas
United States
White House
Indiana
Mike Pence
Pence
Senate
Wisconsin
Scott Walker
Utah
Gary Herbert
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