Gov. fights on...Jobs disappearing...Cease-fire rejected

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has become the first U.S. governor in more than 20 years to be impeached, and the first ever in Illinois. He now faces trial before the Illinois Senate. The governor, who is facing federal corruption charges, says he's done nothing wrong and will fight on.

Washington (AP) The government says the jobless rate climbed to 7.2 percent in December, the highest rate in 16 years. About 2.6 million jobs disappeared in 2008. That's the highest number since World War II.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) A senior Hamas official has told Al-Arabiya television that no one consulted Hamas during U.N.

efforts toward a cease-fire and that any such agreement would be unacceptable. And the Israeli prime minister's office says continued Hamas rocket fire shows the U.N. call is not practical.

LOS ANGELES (AP) A motorist with 16 guns and at least 700 rounds of ammunition in his pickup has been arrested at an entrance to Los Angeles International Airport. Authorities say the man had come to the airport to pick up a passenger.

ATLANTA (AP) Federal officials have not yet identified the cause of a Salmonella outbreak striking almost 400 people in 42 states. But officials in Minnesota say the state Health Department found the bacteria in a five-pound jar of peanut butter that is used by restaurants, bakeries and large institutions.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-09-09 2055CST | save this article / add to your favorites list