Volume CXXXII, Number 2 September 20, 2002 f

News Briefs

Six students who failed Massachusetts' MCAS high school exit exam are suing the state of Massachusetts, claiming that the test discriminates against minorities and the economically disadvantaged. In addition, the lawsuit claims that the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System is unreliable and unfair.

The six students are all in the Class of 2003, with four of the plaintiffs being students at Holyoke Public Schools. The Class of 2003 is the first class that was required to pass the exam's English and math portions in order to graduate.

Half of all Hispanic and 44 percent of black Massachusetts high school seniors did not pass the test after three tries. The average failure rate for the entire state is 19 percent.

The lawsuit seeks class-action status and was filed by representatives of the Center for Law and Education and the Boston Bar Association's committee for civil rights amongst others. Defendants include the state Board of Education, the state Department of Education, and Holyoke city schools.

Authorities arrest 115 "date rape" drug traffickers

Federal authorities recently arrested 115 people in the United States in Canada in connection with an Internet drug-trafficking ring. Using the World Wide Web as a worldwide drug market, the criminals acted as leaders and mid-level traffickers of three related chemical depressants: GHB, GB, and 1,4 butanediol (often called BD).

The arrests covered 84 cities in both countries and came after a glut of major seizures on the U.S.-Canada border by the U.S. Customs Service. The drugs were sold on Canadian web pages and shipped to purchasers, who sometimes acted as distributors themselves.

Over two years, authorities seized 3,300 gallons of GBL and more than $1 million from seven companies. Although the chemicals have legitimate uses in the industrial sector, GHB and the other chemicals are more widely referred to as "date rape" drugs. The depressants are sometimes used recreationally, but often used to spike drinks in advance of a sexual assault. GHB and its related drugs have been connected to the rapes and deaths of women across the nation.

Maine prepares for slower leaf-peeper season

Maine and the New England Region as a whole are expecting fewer leaf tourists this year as a result of the lingering effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks. With fears of terrorism and a slow economy, a larger proportion of foreign tourists cancelled their trips this year and more Americans from outside New England decided to remain closer to home.
Typically, European travelers compose 10 to 20 percent of foliage tourists, but with this year's cancellations, many hotels that are often booked well ahead of time still have vacancies.

Complicating this year's slow leaf-peeping season, drought and hot summer temperatures will leave larger-than-average areas of spotty color changes. Additionally, September's heat and temperature swings are expected to create a later color change than usual. With Columbus Day weekend falling later-than-usual this year, the color change will still correspond with the peak leaf-peeper weekend, a staple of the multibillion-dollar regional tourist industry.

Sea Dogs sign deal with Red Sox

The Portland Sea Dogs recently announced that it had signed a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. Portland's minor league baseball team will retain its name, management, ownership, and mascot; the team's colors, however, will change from teal to Boston's distinctive red and blue. The Red Sox will supply players and field staff.

The Sea Dogs have been the AA affiliate of the Florida Marlins for the past nine years, with 81 players moving from the Sea Dogs to at least one major league at-bat for the Marlins.

The Red Sox previously retained a AA affiliate in Trenton, New Jersey and are expected to bring some of the Trenton coaching staff up to Portland. Attending the ceremony at the Sea Dog's Hadlock Field were owner Dan Burke, general manager Charlie Eshbach, and members of the Red Sox management staff.

Former Texas A&M student executed for murder of fellow student

The state of Texas executed former a Texas A&M student by lethal injection Wednesday for killing a female student during a home burglary eight years earlier. Ron Shamburger, 30, was convicted of killing fellow student Lori Baker on September 30, 1994.

A fifth-year student, Shamburger broke into Baker's house, bound her with duct tape, and shot her in the head. Confronted by Baker's roommate, Shamburger abducted the roommate and stuffed her in the trunk of a car. While Shamburger set fire to Baker's house, the roommate escaped and called for help. Hours later, Shamburger turned himself into police.
Baker's murder was the last in a string of local burglaries by Shamburger. The murder weapon, a 9mm pistol, was purchased with a credit card stolen from Baker's home two days earlier.