JOU 4341 Practice Site

Most Recent Update on Police Shooting

2007-10-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

By: G. Elena Calero

We have just received new information regarding the shooting in southwest Miami-Dade where four police officers have been shot. It has been confirmed by Miami-Dade police that there has been a mistaken identity on the suspect.

The suspect’s girlfriend confessed that the subject on the run is not Kevin Wehner, instead he has been identified as Shawn LaBeet, a black male.

As the story has been developing we now know that the previous subject identified as Kevin Wehner is a Jacksonville citizen and has been wrongly identified.

There is special response team on the scene and as a precaution the police are asking for no live shots of the scene until completion.

Further information is unfolding at this time, and we will keep you posted as new details develop. Police ask if anyone has information regarding this incident please contact law enforcement. There is a picture of Shawn LaBeet on our website.

Breaking news--Marlene - 2

2007-10-10T16:41:00.001-07:00

MIAMI-Two officers were shot this morning at South West Dade. According to police reports,the suspect has been identified as a young black male driving a white Honda Accord.
He might be armed. The cop's conditions remain unknown.

Kevin Wehner is not the suspect.

Police Shooting

2007-10-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

By: G. Elena Calero
10-10-2007 2nd Draft

Breaking news where there is a white suspect on the loose around the area of sw area around sw 280 st and 143 ct. He is believed to have shot four police officers. The suspect has been identified as Kevin Wehner, a white thirty-year old white male, heavy-set, last seen driving a white Honda Accord.

There is special response team on the scene and as a precaution the police are asking for no live shots of the scene until completion.

Further information is unfolding at this time, and we will keep you posted as new details develop. Police ask if anyone has information regarding this incident please contact law enforcement.

Shooting

2007-10-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

BY: Chester Robards

South West Miami Dade -A suspect who was thought to have shot four officers has been the victim of mistaken identity.
According to earlier reports by police officials Kevin Wehner, 30, was the alleged shooter. However, Whener's uncle confirmed that he resides in Jacksonville and not in Miami.
Now the police are looking for Shawn LaBeet, a young black male.
Police officials say LaBeet is suspected of the shootings and was last seen driving a white Honda Accord.
The area has been cordoned off by police and possible witnesses are being interviewed.

Solange Vallejo

2007-10-10T16:39:00.001-07:00

A shooting involving two officers happened close to the area of SW 280 Street an SW 143 Court. Around 11 a.m. The suspect is described as a white male, heavy-set and last seen driving a white Honda accord. Media Relations Bureau Commander Linda O’Brien and Lieutenant Nancy Perez are on the scene of the incident.

Further information was not immediately available. If anyone has any further information regarding this incident, please contact police.

2 Officers Shot with Suspect Still On the Run

2007-10-10T16:38:00.002-07:00

By Krystal Permanan

WEDNESDAY- Four officers were involved in an incident that resulted in two officers being injured during a possible shoot out that occurred in southwest Miami-Dade at approximately 11:00 a.m.

The girlfriend of the suspect initially described him to authorities as Kevin Wehner. Witnesses described the suspect as a thirty-year-old white male, heavy-set, last seen driving a white Honda Accord. However, further investigation later revealed Wehner to be an individual from Jacksonville, who did not match the girlfriend’s description.

She later revealed to authorities the real identity of the suspect as Shawn Labeet.

The incident took place in the area of SW 280 Street and SW 143 Court. Law enforcement officials are working the scene and are asking locals to please refrain from entering this area.

Labeet is still on the run and authorities are urging anyone with information to please come forward.

Police Officers Injured, New Suspect On the Loose

2007-10-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

By Ana Sanchez

In a police involved shooting, two Miami-Dade police officers were injured in Southwest Miami-Dade at approximately 11 a.m. The suspect Shawn LaBeet was last seen driving alone in a white Honda Accord.

At first, police were looking for Kevin Wehner described as a white heavy-set male but police just informed that there is new suspect. According to police, the suspect's girlfriend confirmed that the suspect's name is Shawn LaBeet.

The shooting took place on SW 280 Street and SW 143 Ct. It is unknown whether the suspect is armed. Special response team is on the scene at this time.

Cop Shooting in SW Miami Dade

2007-10-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

By Scott Fishman

Four officers were shot off earlier this morning at a residential area of SW Miami-Dade. The suspect, revealed as Shawn LaBeet, was last seen driving from SW 280 St. and SW 143 Court in a white Honda Accord.
Suspect may be armed. No accomplices were reported. Police are asking those in the area to be on the lookout. A special response team is on the scene investigating.
Originally police received false information on the suspect being Kevin Wehner, a white heavyset male living in Jacksonville.
Condition of officers shot unknown. More information is forthcoming.

Shooting Involving Four Cops in Southwest Miami

2007-10-10T16:37:00.001-07:00

By Lalinda De La Fuente

A shooting involving four cops occurred at 11 am in the residential area of SW 280th Street and SW 143rd Court, with one suspect fleeing the scene.

Two police officers were injured. The other two officer's conditions are currently unknown.

What began as a search for a white heavy-set male by the name of Kevin Wehner has transformed into a search for Shawn LeBeet.

It was Lebeet's girlfriend that originally gave Wehner's name as a suspect. She later confessed and named LeBeet.

Wehner's uncle, John Wehner, who lives in New York City, cleared is Kevin Wehner's name by confirming his nephew's residence in Jacksonville, Fla.

The witness reports that the suspect was driving a white Honda Accord still stands.

If anyone has any information regarding the crime or LeBeet please contact authorities.

Possible Shootout in Miami-Dade Leaves Two Officers Injured

2007-10-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

Tiffany Parkes

MIAMI- Police are still on the lookout for the suspect of a shootout that occurred in a residential area of southwest Miami-Dade involving four police officers. However, after another conversation with a woman associated with the suspect, who previously identified the suspect as Kevin Wehner, Miami-Dade Police Department have changed the suspect's identity. The suspect was initially identified as 30-year-old Kevin Wehner. In a phone call from John he was last seen driving alone in a white Honda Accord. Perimeters have been set up around southwest 280th street and southwest 143rd court.

This is the only information available at this time.

Two officers injured in a street shooting //Yedica

2007-10-10T16:35:00.002-07:00

Police are at the scene of a shooting involving four Miami-Dade police officers in a residential area of southwest Miami- Dade. Two officers have been injured. Police have established a perimeter around SW 280th Street and SW 146 Ct. Authorities have admitted to having an incorrect description of the suspect. They now believe the man involved in the shooting is Shawn LaBeet, a young, black male, who fled the scene on a white Honda Accord. The suspect might be armed and is considered dangerous. They are still interviewing witnesses for more information.

Police investigate wounded officers

2007-10-10T16:35:00.001-07:00

Four Miami-Dade police officers have been injured, possibly shot, today around 11 a.m. in a southwest Miami residential neighborhood, police spokesperson Lt. Frank O’Brien said.

Police have identified the suspect as Shawn LaBeet, possibly driving a white Honda Accord.

"We are not sure if he's armed," O'Brien said.

Kevin Wehner, 30, is no longer a suspect in the incident after LaBeet's girlfriend admitted to giving police Wehner's name and address throw investigators off track.

Police have set up a perimeter around the area of SW 280 St. and SW 143 Court to investigate further. The officers’ identity, condition and the cause of their injury is still unknown.

by Jose de Wit

Cop Shooting in SW Miami Dade County

2007-10-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

BY MARIANA GUERRERO

Police officers are on the lookout for the suspect of a police shooting in SW Miami-Dade this morning. Four Miami-Dade police officers were involved in the incident and two were injured possibly by gunshot.

The incident unfolded in a residential area of SW 280 St and SW 143 Ct, police officials said.

Police officers corrected the identity of the suspect on the loose. The suspect’s name is Shawn LaBeet, a young black male. Police officials released a photograph of the suspect.

Officials mistakenly identified the suspect earlier today as Kevin Wehner, 30, a heavy-set white male. LaBeet’s girlfriend confessed she lied to police.

La Beet was last seen driving a white Honda Accord. “He was seen driving alone,” Frank O’Brien, Miami Dade Police Department Media Relations Bureau Commander, said in a news conference. "There was no indication of where he was going," O'Brien said.

Police did not immediately identify the reason of the incident to which the officers responded.

Suspect in cop shooting on the loose

2007-10-10T16:34:00.001-07:00

Shawn LaBeet, a black male suspect in a shooting involving four police officers, is on the loose, officials say. LaBeet was last seen driving a white Honda Accord near the scene, a residential Miami-Dade area of SW 280 St. and SW 143 Ct. According to Lieutenant Frank O’Brien, the suspect may be armed and further information is unfolding.

--Dara Bramson

Two officers injured in south west Miami-Dade

2007-10-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Rodriguez

The manhunt for the man believed to have injured two police officers has taken a shift -- police were looking of the wrong suspect. Kevin Wehner, who police announced earlier as the alleged suspect, has been cleared by police.

Officials said they made a mistake. The girlfriend of the suspect they believed was Kevin Wehner gave them the wrong name. She confessed the real subject is Shawn LaBeet.

Wehner actually lives in Jacksonville, FL., miles away from the incident. His uncle, John Wehner, said that his nephew was not involved in the shooting.

"Kevin Wehner is my nephew. Kevin Wehner lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Kevin Wehner is not involved in a shooting," he said.

Police are looking for LaBeet, who is believed to be driving a white Honda Accord.

The incident happened just after 11 a.m. in the residential area of SW 280th Street and SW 143rd Court.

Further information was not immediately available. Any one with information is urged to contact police.

2007-10-10T16:33:00.002-07:00

G. Elena Calero
10-10-2007

Breaking news coming from the homestead area around sw 280 st and 143 ct. where at about 11 a.m. two police officers have been injured and possibly shot.

So far we only have a statement from Lieutenant Frank O’brien where he has informed us
that there is one suspect who is described as a white male, heavy-set, last seen driving a white Honda Accord.

There is special response team on the scene and as a precaution the police is asking for no live shots of the scene until completion. Further information is unfolding at this time, and we will keep you posted as new details develop. Police ask if anyone has information regarding this incident please contact law enforcement.

Police officers wounded in residential neighborhood

2007-10-10T16:33:00.001-07:00

Four Miami-Dade police officers were involved in a possible shooting at a residential neighborhood that injured two of them, authorities said Wednesday.

Police are interviewing witnesses who described a heavy-set male driving a white Honda Accord at the scene, said police spokesman Lt. Frank O’Brien. The man is considered a suspect.

Police are interviewing witnesses at the scene who described a heavy-set male driving a white Honda Accord as a possible suspect, said police spokesman Lt. Frank O’Brien.

“We’re not sure if the man is armed,” O’Brien said.

The incident took place at SW 280 Street and SW 143 Court around 11 a.m. The area has been closed down.

A suspect name was originally given as 30-year-old Kevin Whener, but police later retracted this name as incorrect.

Driving records show there's a Kevin Whener, also 30-years-old, living in Jacksonville, not Miami. Authorities have not confirmed if this is the same Whener.

The names and condition of the officers have not been released. No other details were immediately available.

(Joel Marino)

Two Officers Injured in S.W. Miami

2007-10-10T16:33:00.000-07:00

Four Miami-Dade police officers in the Southwest Miami Dade were involved in a shooting, resulting in two officers injured.
The shooting occurred at 11 a.m. in the area of S.W. 280 St and S.W. 143 Court. In a brief statement given by Public Information Officer Lt. Frank O’Brien, the suspect has been identified as Shawn LaBeet, a young black male last seen leaving the area in a white Honda Accord. There is no information as to where the suspect was heading, and officers are not sure if the suspect is armed.
Eyewitness information misled police to identify the subject as 30-year-old white male Kevin Wehner.
“Kevin Wehner is my nephew. Kevin Wehner lives in Jacksonville, FL.,” said John Wehner, an uncle living in New York City.

Breaking news--Marlene

2007-10-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

MIAMI- Two Miami police officers have been shot in South West Dade.
The suspect is a white male heavy - set. He is driving a white Honda Accord – he might carry a gun.He was seen driving alone.
According to Lieutenant Frank O’ Brien the conditions of the two officers is unknown. The two cops were responding to a call at 11 a.m. Witness are been questioned. The incident happened at SW 280 Street and 140 Ct. Police required your assistance in identifying the suspect.

Two Miami-Dade officies injured in possible Southwest Miami-Dade Shooting

2007-10-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

Police are looking for a suspect who allegedly shot four Miami-Dade Police officers, possibly by gun fire, in a Southwest Miami Dade residential neighborhood.
Authorities are searching for Sean LaBeet. LaBeet was last seen driving a White Honda Accord. Police are asking anyone with information to please contact authorities.
The alleged shooting, in the area of Southwest 280 Street and 143 Court, is currently being investigated by authorities. There is no word on the condition of the injured officers.
Police previously misidentified the suspect as Kevin Wehner.
Reached in New York, Wehner's uncle, John, told the Herald that his nephew “does not live in Miami, was not involved in a shooting, and is living in Jacksonville.”

Blackwater Shooting Under Investigation

2007-09-19T17:39:00.000-07:00

By:
G. Elena Calero
Mariana Almeida
Solange Vallejo

Iraq and the United States have agreed to set up a joint commission to examine security of US government officials in Iraq due to the controversy regarding the killing of several Iraqi Civilians by Blackwater Securities. Blackwater securities are now under investigation for their questionable actions.

Blackwater claimed that the shootings were done due to a car bombing but the others question their defence because the car bombing was too far away from the incident.

According to Blackwater USA’s website, it is the most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world.

Stemming from this unfortunate event, the White House had a briefing today on several issues including the Blackwater incident.

When asked about the events Press Secretary Dana Perrino said, “Deputy spokesman Tom Casey at the State Department is making an announcement right about now, if he hasn't already, regarding a joint commission of inquiry that the Iraqis and the United States are going to set up in order to look into what happened and to recommend any sort of policy changes that need to made in the future.”

Perrino says it is too early to make any comment but President Bush regrets the events and he along with his staff will conduct a full investigation and participation by the U.S.

The State Department Tom Casey said, “This..demonstrates that we and the Iraqis are committed to working together, both to address the activities or the response to the specific incident that’s occurred, as well as to look at the broader issues of the operation of personal security details in Iraq.”

Blackwater Issues Call Joint Commision Investigation

2007-09-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

Following the urging of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the U.S. State Department today announced a joint commission with the Iraqi government on investigating the partnership the American military holds with Blackwater USA, an independent security firm accused of killing 10 Iraqi civilians in a firefight Sunday.
The commission will closely examine how American and Iraqi forces have worked with independent security contractors and then provide recommendations based on the findings.
The creation of the commission follows public outcry from the Iraqi government and civilians. Iraqi officials claim the Security firm started a firefight Sunday which resulted in casualties. American officials claim the convoy was under fire form about eight insurgents and that Blackwater officers had no choice but to protect the American envoy and fire back.
The White House is closely monitoring the situation and refused to comment any further, citing the Department of State’s investigation into the matter.

White House Response to Beirut Killings

2007-09-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

by Lalinda De La Fuente, Ana Sanchez, Jennifer Rodriguez

Lebanon lost an anti-Syrian parliamentarian today in an explosion in a Christian suburb east of Beirut. At least four other people were killed and about 30 people injured.

It’s no surprise that the attack comes as the country prepares to elect a new president. Antoine Ghanem, 64, a deputy in the Lebanese Phalange Party, was among those killed in the blast.

Ghanem’s death reduces the ruling majority vote in the Parliament, with pro-government lawmakers holding 68 seats out of 128, compared to the opposition’s 59.

In a White House press briefing today Press Secretary Dana Perino expressed the White House’s response to the killings.

“We strongly condemn the assassination of a Lebanese member of parliament, Antoine Ghanem. He was viciously murdered today in Beirut, along with several other innocent persons,” Perino said.

The White House also clearly expressed their stance. “The United States will continue to stand by those Lebanese who continue to courageously stand up for democracy and independence,” Perino furthered.

Click here for more info:
http://http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/19/lebanon.explosion/?iref=mpstoryview

Click here for video:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/19/lebanon.explosion/?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCVideo

White House still silent on Blackwater

2007-09-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

By Marlene, Tiffany and Jose

Three days after the deadly shooting Sunday in Baghdad in which employees of private security firm Blackwater killed as many as 20 Iraqi civilians, the White House remains tight-lipped on the incident.
Press secretary Dana Perino decline to comment on behalf of Pres. George W. Bush, saying she has not yet discussed the matter with him.
Perino referred all other questions on the shooting to the State Department, which also announced Wednesday the creation of a joint U.S.-Iraqi commission to investigate Sunday’s events.
Blackwater employees opened fire on Iraqi civilians Sunday, allegedly in response to a car bombing that threatened the security of U.S. officials.
“We are in a very dangerous situation over there, and civilians who are working for either the State Department or other agencies need protection,” Perino said
Equally unclear at this point, Perino said, is who will now protect U.S. officials in Iraq, given that Iraqi officials responded to the event – as well as long-time complaints from Iraqis that U.S. contractors routinely open fire on civilians without provocation –by revoking Blackwater’s license to operate in Iraq.
“This company should be punished. We are not going to allow it to kill Iraqis in cold blood. We have frozen all its activities and a joint panel has been formed to investigate the incident,” Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said.

See the press briefing transcript here.

White House Views on Health Care

2007-09-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

BY: MICHELLE AREAN, YEDICA LEAL, MARIANA GUERRERO

Wednesday Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary, spoke at a White House press briefing. Of the topics discussed, Universal Healthcare was a hot one.

Karl Rove’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal was brought up. It was said that Rove’s column pointed out the different policies that the President has proposed in order to help us reach his goals. Rove pointed out that if you add all of the proposals together, they don’t really add up to universal health care coverage.

This is contradicting, being that Senator Clinton has just offered a universal health care plan in Iowa.

It was then pointed out that the President, through the HHS Secretary, said he'd be willing to meet with Congress to try to reach this goal. Perino was then asked if it’s possible to achieve this without some sort of requirement for individual heath care coverage.
“Universal coverage -- that has a different connotation; that is what people think of in terms of government-run health care. That is not what this administration supports,” Perrino said. “What we do support is making sure that everyone has access to affordable health care.”

She also cleared up that what Rove had pointed out in his op-ed in the Wall Street Journal was simply the different policy proposals that the President has proposed.

Though Senator Hilarry Clinton’s health care plan was referenced to repeatedly, Perrino refused to comment on it.
“I'm not commenting on her plan. I'm not. Universal health care has been around for -- the concept has been around for a long time. I'm not commenting on Hillary Clinton's plan. It's a really nice try, but I'm not going to do it,” Perrino said.

President Bush's health care proposals:

The President Has Proposed Replacing Our Current Health Insurance Tax System With A Standard Deduction For Health Insurance. For the millions of Americans who have no health insurance, the standard deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within reach. Under the President's proposal, families purchasing health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $15,000 of income. Single Americans purchasing health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of income.

The President's Proposal Will Rein In Health Costs By Promoting High Value Coverage. By replacing the current unfair system with a standard deduction for health insurance, the President's proposal will give working families and individuals an incentive to purchase coverage – and the same tax advantages for purchasing that insurance – and encourage them to evaluate which health insurance policies represent the highest value for quality care

The Affordable Choices Initiative Will Encourage States To Innovate. State participation will be voluntary, and States will design their own programs, subject to Federal approval.
States could offer direct premium assistance to low-income or hard-to-insure populations to purchase private health insurance.
States could establish high-risk pools, or expand existing high-risk pools, for very sick individuals who are deemed uninsurable in the non-group market.
States could help facilitate pooling of individuals and small businesses and organize their access to private health plans.

For more of the president's proposals, visit www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/healthcare.

Link to White House Press Briefing by Dana Perino

Audio of White House Press Briefing by Dana Perino

Bush wants wiretapping made permanent

2007-09-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

BY: Scott and Chester
The president called for congress to make the Foriegn Intelligence wire tap law permanent and to expand its eavesdropping power.

White house press secretary Dana Perino said today that though Democrats are concerned about ambiguities and loopholes in the law the president wants to go ahead with his plan.

we'd be willing to take a look at it. But as I said, we don't believe anything needs to be changed, but we're willing to listen to them if they can think of something that will help.

Many officials on the Hill believe that the law overstretches its boundaries. House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi believes the new law goes too far and ougth to further restricted, not expanded, to protect America's right to privacy. President Bush disagrees.

"The threat from al Qaida is not going to expire in 135 days," Bush said. "So I call on congress to make the protect america act permanent."

The law came in this past August when the President signed legislation that expanded the government's authority to easdrop on international phone calls and email messages of American citizens.

Here is what one constitutional lawyer has to say.

Senator Johnson Returns to Senate (Group: Kendall Lifestyle)

2007-09-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

U.S. Senate members welcomed back Democratic Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota on Wednesday. Sen. Johnson was on leave recovering from a life-threatening brain hemorrhage since December 13, 2006. His sudden illness caused political drama over whether this would cause the Democrats to lose control of the Senate.
Senator John Thune, Johnson’s home-state Republican colleague, gave the welcoming speech calling this day a milestone in Sen. Johnson’s recovery.
“Nearly every single individual said they were praying for him. I believe it was those prayers that brought him back,” he said. “We have put our political parties aside to come together for the people of South Dakota.”
Sen. Johnson must now decide whether he will run for re-election, although he seemed ready to return to work. “It’s great to be home,” he said earlier Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson is already at work: Johnson Announces Support for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill today. http://johnson.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=281802

Senators adopted a resolution (S Res 306) extending “their warmest welcome” and expressing “their personal happiness at his return” and “their very best wishes for his continued health.”
Johnson responded with a brief set of remarks in return.
The senator said, “My ability to think is paramount, so I hope now as I return to my office people will focus on their work more quickly than I walk these days,” Johnson said. “This has been a long and humbling journey, a journey that has taken longer than some people have liked — and I count myself among them.”

Johnson's back!

2007-09-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

By: Mauricio Melinu, Dara Bramson, Javier Correoso
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) returned to the Senate following a nine month leave of absence due to a life threatening brain hemorrhage.
His return was a relief to the Democratic majority in the senate, which would have lost control, had Johnson not been able to return.
Johnson spent four months recovering in the hospital and additionally underwent nine months of rehabilitation.
"On a human level, everybody hopes and prays for Johnson’s recovery," wrote Eleanor Clift of Newsweek. "But this is Washington, and with the Senate poised to do real damage to Bush and his war party, not everybody’s prayers will be answered."
Fellow Senator John Thune (R-SD) gave a lengthy, heartfelt speech welcoming Johnson’s return to Capitol Hill, followed by words from Senator Johnson speaking from his wheelchair.
“It must already be clear to you that my speech is not 100 percent,” said Johnson. “But my thoughts are clear and my mind is sharp and I’m here to be a voice for South Dakota in the Senate.”
According to Eleanor Clift of Newsweek, Johnson was the only member of Congress with a child in the military. His son served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Pictures of Johnson's Return, courtesy of his office:
http://johnson.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=281772

Johnson welcomed back to senate

2007-09-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

By: Lalinda De La Fuente, Ana Sanchez, Jennifer Rodriguez

After hours of emergency brain surgery, two months of physical, speech and occupational therapy and four months of recuperation, Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota is welcomed back to the Senate.

"This has been a long and humbling journey that has taken longer than some people may have liked, and I count myself among them," said Johnson in a short speech given before the Senate.

After suffering a brain hemorrhage on Dec. 13 of 2006, Johnson took an eight-month absence from the Senate causing concern among the Democratic Party.

His death or resignation would have caused GOP Governor Mike Rounds to possibly appoint a republican successor and return the Senate to Republican control.

Senator John Thune (R) of South Dakota gave a speech praising Johnson and welcoming his back to the Senate passing Resolution 306 with a unanimous vote.

"Johnson's experience has made me appreciate the little things," said Thune in his speech.

Support for Johnson is so great that a website called Welcome Back Tim has raised $42,956 for his re-election campaign.

Johnson returns to Senate after recovering from brain surgery

2007-09-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

BY: Chester, Scott, and Joel

Visibily struggling through the words of a speech, a still recovering Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S. Dak.) stood tall as he announced his return to the Senate nine months after an emergency brain surgery left him unable to walk or talk.

"My speech is not 100 percent, but doctors say it will get there, but my thoughts are clear," Johnson said during the Sept. 5 session.

Sen. John Thune (R-S. Dak.) introduced a resolution reinstating Johnson.

"It's good to see you back in the U.S. Senate," Thune said. He acknowledged that though the men come from different political backgrounds, they've worked together on many projects, such as highway bills and water projects.

"By his sheer will and determination, Johnson is back," Thune said.

Johnson suffered a brain hemorrhage Dec. 13, 2006, a few days shy of his 60th birthday. He received an emergency surgery the next day.

Johnson was first elected to the senate in 1996.

Sen. Johnson's triumphant return

2007-09-05T17:09:00.000-07:00

By: South Beach Group

G. Elena Calero, Mariana Almeida, Solange Vallejo

“Senator Johnson is back,” said South Dakota Sen. John Thume, on the floor of the senate on September 5, 2007. Senator Thume spoke of Sen. Johnson’s 9-month ordeal after he suffered a brain hemorrhage.

Sen. Thume said his recovery has been progressing. He has difficulty speaking, slurring and pronouncing words at a very slow pace. His recovery depends on how fast his brain injury heals.

Congress welcomed Sen. Johnson back to the senate floor. After everyone gave a standing ovation Sen. Thume said, “I know how tough this man is.” The fact that he is back serves Democrats well, because otherwise they would loose the majority. Sen. Johnson mentioned the possibility of returning and running for president in 2008.

On December 12, he felt ill while having a phone interview with reporters. He was conscious while being transported to Washington University Hospital. There, being diagnosed with arterivenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins in the brain to grow abnormally large and sometimes break, he was immediatedly taken to surgery.

Links

His return http://sen.johnson.returns.senate.cnn/

First Appearance www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf9zoewvsu

Welcome!

2007-09-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hi class! Tonight, we're going to practice writing on deadline off of video. Good luck!