Environmentalists sue over water rules

West Palm Beach, Fla.

Five environmental groups sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday, claiming the government is violating the Clean Water Act by not setting standards for farm and urban runoff.

The plaintiffs hope a favorable ruling would force the EPA to set standards for every state, said Earthjustice attorney David Guest.

The groups say rain sends the runoff, which includes fertilizers and animal waste, into rivers and lakes, contaminating waterways, drinking-water supplies and nourishing algae blooms that poison the ecosystems. The suit was filed by the Florida Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida and the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

Redding, Calif.

Bush tours fires in California

President Bush offered federal help and encouragement Thursday to some of the 25,000 firefighters battling the single largest fire event ever recorded in California.

Bush took an aerial tour with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to survey fire damage in the 2.1 million-acre Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Since a June 21 lightning storm, 2,010 fires have ravaged 900,000 acres. A state of emergency was declared in 12 counties, and the California National Guard has been called in to help.

Helena, Mont.

2 camps closed after bear attack

Two campgrounds near Yellowstone National Park were closed after a bear attacked a man sleeping inside a tent early Thursday.

The camper suffered bite and claw marks on his arms and was taken to West Park Hospital in Cody, Wyo.

As a precaution, the U.S. Forest Service closed the Soda Butte campground, where the camper was attacked, and the nearby Chief Joseph campground, both in the Gallatin National Forest.

Also

Miami: A 13- and 15-year-old were arrested after they broke into a woman's home, jolted her with a stun gun and raped her while her baby was sleeping nearby, police said Thursday.

Missouri: The ex-spouses who died in a murder-suicide in a suburban St. Louis mall Wednesday still lived together two years after their divorce, but their violent relationship led to at least four police visits.

Philadelphia: Three men shown in a video being beaten by police officers after a vehicle chase May 5 were ordered to stand trial Thursday on attempted-murder charges for a triple shooting earlier that night.

Priest missing: U.S. and Mexican authorities are searching for the Rev. Jose Chavarin, a Catholic priest who is believed to have fled the San Francisco area last month after learning he was accused of sexually abusing minors two decades ago.

Connecticut: A judge set a $1 million bond Thursday for Suzanne Listro, an employee of the state Department of Children and Families who is charged in the May 19 death of a 7-month-old foster child placed in her care.

Seattle Times news services