News Update 11/5/07

Weather

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National News

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on President Bush's nomination for the nation's new attorney general. Bush said his nominee Michael Mukasey is, quote, "plenty qualified to be attorney general." Mukasey is expected to breeze through the voting process.

At least one late night talk show host is showing his support for the Writers Guild of America strike. Jay Leno, the host of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, came out to the picket lines yesterday with boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts for the writers. Leno's head writer, Jim Shaughnessy, said they just want fair residual payments. Shaughnessy said the studios are just being hard liners about not giving residual payments on Internet run shows. The "Tonight" show plans to air reruns during the walkout.

State News

Full coverage of citywide WiFi in Boston is not likely until sometime in 2009. Officials say Boston's push for citywide Internet access is delayed by technical challenges and slower than anticipated fundraising. Those in charge had hoped to have it operating by the end of next year. Mayor Thomas Menino unveiled the city's plan in July 2006.

Lawmakers are debating how much money should be spent to update the state's college campuses. Governor Patrick has proposed spending two-billion-dollars over the next decade to upgrade them. Officials at Fitchburg State say they need to replace antiquated lead pipes. Salem State College has closed its library because it's not structurally safe. And Bunker Hill Community College needs space, as it hasn't added a building since it opened in 1973. Massachusetts has been called by college officials one of the cheapest states when it comes to spending money on campus improvements.

Sports

Nate Jenkins, a native of Templeton, MA and resident of Lowell, who starred at UMass Lowell from 1999-2004, placed seventh at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trial Saturday afternoon at Central Park. Seeded 20th among 130 runners, Jenkins significantly eclipsed his seeding by running the course in a personal record 2 hours 14 minutes 56 seconds. Though he fell short of automatically qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Games, the showing placed Jenkins among the country's elite marathoners. Jenkins, currently in his third year as an assistant coach with the UML cross country and track and field teams, is expected to run the U.S. Half Marathon Championship in Houston on Jan. 13.

UMass Lowell received the No. 3 seed and will face Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament Thursday, hosted by Franklin Pierce University. The invitation marks the third-ever appearance in the NCAAs for the River Hawks, who also advanced in 2003 and 2004. The River Hawks and Owls meet Thursday, Nov. 8 at 4:00pm at Sodexho Field while Franklin Pierce and Le Moyne battle at 7:00. The NCAA regional final is slated for Saturday at 1:00.

UMass Lowell was named the No. 5 seed and will face No. 4 Merrimack Friday in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament in Albany, NY, the NCAA announced Monday afternoon. The College of Saint Rose earned the No. 1 seed and will host the UMass Lowell-Merrimack winner on Sunday. Bryant University earned the No. 2 seed and hosts the winner between No. 3 Franklin Pierce and Holy Family University. The River Hawks and Merrimack will play the match at the Albany Academy for Girls in Albany, NY, Saint Rose's home pitch. Franklin Pierce and Holy Family meet Friday in Smithfield, RI. All match times have yet to be determined.

Curt Schilling may be coming back to Boston for another season. The "Boston Herald" reports, the Red Sox are close to completing a one-year deal with incentives for the soon-to-be 41-year-old to return to Beantown. Schilling was 9-and-8 with a 3.87 ERA this year.

For all of UMass Lowell's sports scores and information, visit GORIVERHAWKS.COM !

That's the latest in weather, news, and sports on WUML Lowell 91.5 FM !