News Briefs – Sept. 22, 2010

Salmon hearings loom

The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled two days of hearings at the request of AquaBounty, a Massachusetts company, that markets genetically modified salmon. Critics have referred to modified salmon as “frankenfish” and said that it could cause allergies in humans and the eventual decimation of the wild salmon population, but CEO Ron Stotish and the FDA said the company’s fish product is safe and environmental friendly. Day two of the hearing will focus on whether or not to label the genetically modified salmon as such.

Court to review law

A federal court will hear an appeal for Arizona’s SB1070 immigration law on Nov. 1, putting parts of the measure on hold. AB1070, which has been criticized as the strictest measure against illegal immigration, allows police to inquire residents “under reasonable suspicion” about their legal status. Immigration activists claim the measure leads to racial profiling, and it violates a person’s right to privacy.

Hiker freed

Sarah Shourd, one three hikers arrested in 2009 for illegally crossing into Iran, was released from Evin Prison in Tehran on Sept. 14 after an anonymous source paid her $500,000 bail. On Sept. 19, Shourd gave a press conference in New York City where she thanked the Iranian government, their judicial system and the sultan of Oman for her release. Shourd also thanked the Swiss ambassador in Iran and her Iranian lawyer. She said she hopes for the release of her fiance, Shane Bauer, and their friend Josh Fattal. Shourd reiterated that she and her companions had no idea they had crossed into the Iranian border, and that they have not committed any crimes nor where they spying in Iran.

New lane opens

The Bay Area’s first express lane opened on Monday, Sept. 20 along the southbound section of Interstate 680. The new express lane allows solo drivers to drive through the carpool lane for a small fee that can only be paid through a FasTrak transmitter. The lane runs a 14-mile stretch from Highway 84 to Route 237. The project began in late 2008. It cost approximately $200 million which was funded through Prop 1B, Transportation Bonds.