■ United States
Spud plates may be fried
A state lawmaker wants to peel Idaho's standard license plate of the legend "Famous Potatoes" in a battle over whether the lowly spud should symbolize a state whose major export is high technology. Republican Senator Hal Bunderson said the slogan no longer has resonance for a state whose population and commerce have undergone a seismic shift in the 46 years since the motto was first stamped on Idaho's license plates. "Other than as a consumer, the majority of people in Idaho have no connection to `Famous Potatoes,'" said Bunderson, whose proposal will be heard by a state transportation panel today.
■ United States
DNA test to hunt prankster
A hospital hoping to get to the bottom of an office prank is ordering 25 employees to undergo DNA testing or be fired, according to a media report. Officials at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, say a maintenance man returned from several weeks off to find that someone had placed urine in his toolbox, WAFB-TV reported. After hearing of the incident, hospital administrators sent a memo to employees who also work there telling them that DNA testing would be done unless someone came forward admitting guilt. Since no one came forward, the hospital said the testing will begin within the next few weeks.
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