Michael Maxwell, a teacher of industrial technology at Central High School, has apologized for asking 25-30 students from ninth through 12th grades, to write an imaginary tale about their possible murder victim and method of murder. The April 21 assignment, which Maxwell said was not a formal task, came to the attention of administrators when a parent of one of the students filed a complaint with the school Principal Barton Albright.

The Navy's use of sonar during maritime exercises may have contributed to the mass stranding of more than 150 whales in Hawaii's Hanalei Bay two years ago, government scientists said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the finding along with information from other studies has led it to ask the Navy to reduce its sonar's power during exercises planned this summer in Hawaiian waters.

Philadelphia plumbers are protesting the installation of waterless urinals in a new high-rise building. Reuters reports that Plumbers Union Local 690 is afraid the "green toilets" will take away from their work because they do not have water lines.

A new report issued reveals that airlines worldwide lost a record 30 million bags in 2005, a number inflated by a global resurgence in traveling. SITA, a Switzerland-based technology consultant for the airline industry discovered the world's airlines booked nearly 2 billion passengers who checked 3. 7 billion bags prior to boarding, however airlines mishandled about 1 percent.

A battle is brewing over whether a potato should continue to symbolize the state of Idaho. State Sen. Hal Bunderson wants the "Famous Potatoes" slogan removed because it is no longer the state's biggest moneymaker, reports Reuters.