IN THE NEWS

As indicated previously, one of my favorite items in the USA Today is in the first section and is entitled "STATE BY STATE.".

It's a full page - covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia - and provides a birdseye view of what is going on in your favorite states.

Here are some of the recent highlights:

Pennsylvania, Morrisville - A youth baseball league may have to call off games   Saturday because two groups on either side of the gun control debate plan to hold opposing rallies in a community park that's also home to the baseball      diamonds, Morrisville Little League president Dan O'Connell said Monday.

(Hey, you got to have your priorities. Just as long as some fool doesn't show up with a cross or a religious statue.)

Georgia, Atlanta - Republican Governor Nathan Deal on Monday signed a law that prohibits lobbyists from spending more than $75 at a time while seeking to influence Georgia officials. The legislation takes effect January 1.

(The advance warning to the Georgia officials should be appreciated and won't impact the free 2013 Christmas  and Hanukkah celebrations to which some of the officials may look forward. When the law takes effect it could also be a health benefit. If you've ever been to a restaurant in the Buckhead section of Atlanta you will know that $75 will probably buy only soup and a small salad.) 

Kansas, Topeka - The state Supreme Court is looking for divorced parents who have paid or received child support to serve on an advisory panel. The group will recommend changes in the guidelines that judges use to determine how much one parent must pay a former spouse.

(To all you NHL fans in Kansas who can't get game tickets for your favorite team - and really miss the fights that break out regularly: Those interested in attending the meetings of the advisory panel will obviously find it to be a tough ticket also. You may want to contact Ticket-Tron or your favorite booking agency ASAP.  The meeting date for the alternate in-depth discussion of "sheep support" payments in this rural state has already sold out.)

New York, New York - The Bronx's Van Cordlandt Park re-opened  it's 10 cricket fields after a three year $13 million renovation.)

(More than 1000 of the neighboring sleep-deprived local residents immediately  signed a protest petition claiming the noise from the crickets is deafening.)

Finally - my personal favorite.

West Virginia, Morgantown - The city is offering an amnesty program for anyone who returns a stolen street sign. The program runs through May 1 and the signs can be brought back without fear of punishment or fines.

(Great idea. It also cleans up the dorm rooms of the frat houses at WVU. The problem is in trying to give the already misguided thieves directions as to how to get to the place where they can return the stolen signs.)

Have a good one.