Free Republic

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who recently underwent an experimental injection of his own adult stem cells to relieve back pain, pushed a bill through the Legislature in June that paves the way for a company co-owned by his doctor to become the first state-approved "bank" to store and cultivate such cells for medical treatment, according to internal emails and corporate records obtained by NBC News. The measure, which was adopted without any public hearings, could prove a financial bonanza for Celltex Therapeutics Corp. — a Houston company headed by Stanley Jones, the surgeon who injected the cells into Perry, and...

Former Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller was jailed Wednesday after allegedly fighting with police after being stopped for possible drunken driving. Eller was held on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, fleeing police and assaulting a police officer ----------------------------------------------- Police used a Taser, but Martin said it had no effect and called for backup.

A Dubai-based company abandoned its effort to take over some operations at six major U.S. seaports, including the Port of Miami-Dade, after Congress made clear it would block the deal. WASHINGTON - With President Bush unable to contain a Republican congressional rebellion, a company owned by the United Arab Emirates vowed Thursday to turn over its just-acquired operations at six major U.S. port terminals, including the Port of Miami-Dade, to an American entity. One possible buyer: Fort Lauderdale-based Eller & Co., which has had a longtime role in operating the Port of Miami-Dade. The surprise move came after congressional leaders...

A Miami company objecting to the takeover of British shipping company P&O by Dubai's state-owned DP World said today it has been granted the right to take the case to Britain's Court of Appeal - a move that puts the deal on hold. Miami-based Eller & Co., which says its business could be harmed by U.S. concerns over a United Arab Emirates company controlling significant operations at six major U.S. seaports, said Britain's Court of Appeal would hear its petition for an appeal on Monday. If the right to appeal is granted, the higher court will immediately hear the case....