Archaeologists unearth 12 more sphinx statues in Egypt
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s antiquities department says archaeologists have unearthed 12 more sphinx statues along the ancient avenue connecting Luxor and Karnak temples.
The discovery was made in a newly excavated section of the Avenue of the Sphinxes, most of which is buried beneath the modern city of Luxor in southern Egypt.
The sandstone section of road dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Nectanebo I, from 380-362 B.C., and was used in religious processions.
Egypt is working to excavate the entire sphinx-lined avenue. It was heavily damaged during the Roman period by the construction of roads and houses over it and by the reuse of some of the sphinxes in other building projects.
The antiquities department said Monday that a Roman-era oil press and pottery were found at the site.
Court upholds in-state tuition for some immigrants
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The California Supreme Court weighed in Monday on the politically charged immigration fray when it ruled that illegal immigrants are entitled to the same tuition breaks offered to in-state high school students to attend public colleges and universities.
While the ruling applies only to California, the case was closely watched nationally because nine other states, including New York and Texas, have similar laws.
Woman’s body found in Arizona linked to young girl in Louisiana
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona authorities said Monday they discovered the body of a woman believed to be the missing mother of a girl found dead in Louisiana.
The possible remains of Suellen Roberts, 31, were found in a remote area off Interstate 40 in northwestern Arizona, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas Steven Sanders was arrested in Mississippi on Sunday in the kidnapping of Roberts’ daughter, 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. The girl’s skeleton was found by hunters last month in Louisiana.
Man arrested for wearing priest robe to steal church cash
JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — A 52-year-old Jackson man accused of donning a priest’s robe to steal parishioner donations from a church has been arrested. Sgt. Kevin Hiller told the Jackson Citizen Patriot the man stole an undisclosed amount of money and checks from St. John Catholic Church about 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Hiller said the man used the robe to gain access to a room where the money was located.
Witnesses helped police identify the man, who was arrested at his home.
La. public school funding formula leaves $42 million budget shortfall
(AP) — The state underestimated the number of public school students this year, leaving the funding formula for school districts short an estimated $42 million and adding to the financial problems facing the Jindal administration and lawmakers.
The Louisiana Department of Education has notified Gov. Bobby Jindal of the shortfall. Lawmakers and the governor’s office will need to find the money to fill the gap before the 2010-11 fiscal year ends June 30.
Rene Greer, a spokeswoman for the education department, said 9,000 more students were in state public schools on Oct. 1 than had been included in the budget estimates. The formula approved by lawmakers had been based on 658,000 students statewide.
“We are analyzing the data at this time to determine where the growth occurred,” Beth Scioneaux, deputy superintendent of the education department’s finance office, said.
Lutcher High School stadium damaged by suspicious fire
LUTCHER (AP) — Authorities believe a fire that damaged Lutcher High School’s football stadium was deliberately set.
State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Monday’s early-morning fire caused more than $200,000 in damage to the stadium’s bleachers and several rooms underneath it.
Audit raises questions about Jefferson parish nonprofit for youth
GRETNA (AP) — A publicly funded nonprofit program for underprivileged youth in Jefferson Parish could provide little or no documentation for many expenditures, including more than $100,000 paid to a firm owned by state Rep. Girod Jackson, according to a state legislative audit.
The audit also said Jefferson Parish Council member Byron Lee may have violated a state conflict of interest law.