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SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) — A Texas appeals court said Thursday that the state had no right to take more than 400 children from a polygamist sect's ranch, a ruling that could unravel one of the biggest child-custody cases in U.S. history. The Third Court of Appeals in Austin ruled that the state offered "legally and factually insufficient" grounds for the "extreme" measure of removing all children from the ranch, from babies to teenagers. The state never provided evidence that the children were in any immediate danger, the only grounds in Texas law for taking children from their parents without...

Child welfare officials are scrambling to find foster homes for dozens of girls removed from a secretive West Texas religious retreat built by polygamist leader Warren Jeffs after a 16-year-old living there complained of physical abuse. Officials from Texas Child Protective Services, escorted by state troopers, took 52 girls, ages 6 months to 17 years, from the remote retreat on Friday afternoon. By the end of the day, 18 were put legally into state custody, and CPS spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said interviews would continue Saturday. A warrant has been issued for at least one individual. The girls put in state...

Groups, daughter endorse JeffersonBy JANET MCCONNAUGHEY Associated Press writer Published: Oct 3, 2006 U.S. Rep. William Jefferson delivers brief remarks Monday after receiving endorsements at his campaign headquarters in New Orleans. Jefferson, an eight-term congressman, has endorsements including more than a dozen political groups, including the Democratic Executive Committees of both Orleans and Jefferson parishes, 18 ministers, and 19 labor organizations, including the state AFL-CIO. Associated Press photo by BILL HABER NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Rep. William Jefferson’s initial endorsements this year are led by his daughter and five other state legislators, a former legislator and one of the city’s...

Jefferson can find hope in past caseFriday, May 26, 2006 Lolis Eric Elie "There are two sides to every story," Congressman William Jefferson said Monday. I doubt anybody would disagree with that general sentiment. But unanimity may have been lost when the New Orleans Democrat tried to apply that platitude to the specifics of his own situation. We've heard only the FBI's side, but it's pretty compelling. The feds say they have a videotape showing Jefferson accepting a $100,000 bribe. They also say most of that money ended up in Jefferson's freezer. Two of Jefferson's former associates have pleaded guilty....

Jefferson's CurseThe Nation Thu May 25, 11:58 AM ET AP - Mon May 15, 5:25 PM ET U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, speaks to the media at a news conference in New Orleans on Monday May 15, 2006. Congressman Jefferson declared his innocence in light of a federal bribery probe. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) The Nation -- As John wrote a few days back, William Jefferson was one of the worst Democrats in the House even before he started hiding bribes in the freezer. Now he's a drag on his party and a disgrace to his district--which happens to represent...

Shocking photos are now available that link Texas State House District 48 Republican Candidate Don Zimmerman to Senators Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy. Don Zimmerman's opponent, Jeff Fleece, has mailed out an attack ad claiming that "Don Zimmerman stood with liberal Democrats like Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton against President Bush". Now the truth can be revealed. On December 5th, 2003, Hillary Clinton came to Austin, Texas to promote her Living History book. We have uncovered evidence that Don Zimmerman was there to greet her as she arrived at BookPeople in downtown Austin. Only a week later on December 12th,...

The crop of possible Democratic candidates mulling a run at Rep. Sherwood Boehlert's seat in the 24th Congressional District keeps growing. Three high-profile Democrats from Oneida County confirmed this week that they're pondering the possibility of campaigning against Boehlert, R-New Hartford, next year. They are Oneida County District Attorney Michael Arcuri, Utica lawyer Leon Koziol and Jeff Miller, a Utica College teacher who lost to Boehlert in 2004. Also, Les Roberts, a Democrat from Cincinnatus, Cortland County, has filed a candidate disclosure form with the Federal Election Commission, indicating his candidacy for the 24th District. Roberts lectures part time at...

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world. A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in...

Former US President Bill Clinton smiles during a news conference in New York to announce the William J. Clinton Foundation's initiative to fight HIV and AIDS in rural areas in the developing world(AFP/Don Emmert) Former US President Bill Clinton(L) listens to UN Special Envoy of HIV/AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis, of Canada, during a news conference in New York to announce the William J. Clinton Foundation's initiative to fight HIV and AIDS in the developing world(AFP/Don Emmert) Former President Bill Clinton listens to the speakers during a news conference, Monday, April, 11, 2005 in New York. Clinton announced Monday that...

WASHINGTON - A conservative ringer who was given a press pass to the White House and lobbed softball questions at President Bush quit yesterday after left-leaning Internet bloggers discovered possible ties to gay prostitution. "The voice goes silent," Jeff Gannon wrote on his Web site. "In consideration of the welfare of me and my family, I have decided to return to private life." Gannon began covering the White House two years ago for an obscure Republican Web site (Talon-News.com). He was known for his friendly questions, including asking Bush at last month's news conference how he could work with Democrats...