Mexico arrests 2 in killing of Border Patrol agent

By NBC News and wire services Updated at 7:32 p.m. ET: MEXICO CITY -- Mexican troops have arrested two suspects in the killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent and the wounding of a second officer in Arizona, Mexican security officials said on Wednesday.  The two suspects were detained in a Mexican military operation in the city of Agua Prieta, in Mexico's northern Sonora state, a few miles from the spot where Nicholas Ivie was shot dead early on Tuesday while responding to a tripped ground sensor, a Mexican Army officer, who declined to be named, told Reuters. Ivie was a 30-year-old father of two who grew up in Utah and was active in the Mormon Church. He had been an agent for four years. A Mexican police official in Naco, across the border from the Arizona town of the same name, confirmed the arrests, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. U.S. officials refused to comment on the report of the arrests to NBC News. It was the first fatal shooting of an on-duty Border Patrol agent since December 2010, when Brian Terry was killed in a shootout with bandits near the border. Terry's shooting was later linked to the government's "Fast and Furious" gun-smuggling operation, which allowed people suspected of illegally buying guns for others to walk away from gun shops with weapons, rather than be arrested. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. More content from NBCNews.com: No Halloween for sex offenders? They challenge California city's restrictions Pedestrians, bicyclists beware in New York, Los Angeles Veterans angle for a overdue shout out during tonight's debate Woman rides wild manatee in Florida, turns herself in Video: Dangling base jumper rescued from cliff Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook

Meningitis outbreak spreads to 5 states

NEW: The total number of cases is now 26 NEW: Four people have died "We expect to see more cases," says Tennessee's health commissioner (CNN) -- A non-contagious, fungal form of meningitis has sickened 26 people in five states, killing four, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. Five additional cases were reported in Tennessee, health officials said Tuesday. The total number of cases in that state is 18. Three cases have been reported in Virginia, two each in Florida and Maryland and one in North Carolina, the CDC said. Two people have died in Tennessee, one in Virginia and one in Maryland. All of those infected had received steroid injections to the spine. The Tennessee victims range in age from 49 to 89, state Health Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehner said Wednesday. Department spokesman Woody McMillin said Tuesday 11 patients were hospitalized. "The prime suspect for this outbreak is methylprednisolone acetate," Dreyzehner said Wednesday. Methylprednisolone acetate is an injectible steroid product used to treat pain and inflammation. Officials have identified the manufacturer, he said, but would not release the name, saying the Food and Drug Administration is investigating. Three lots of methylprednisolone acetate have been identified and recalled by the manufacturer, he said. "We expect to see more cases," Dreyzehner said, noting the infection can take up to 28 days to develop. Tennessee: Meningitis outbreak investigated Three pain treatment centers in Tennessee received the steroids that were part of the three recalled lots, officials said. They are the Specialty Surgery Center in Crossville, Tennessee; the PCA Pain Care Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and the St. Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgery Center in Nashville. Biopsies from two patients are consistent with the aspergillus fungus found in another patient, according to Dreyzehner, but he was careful to note that the findings need to be confirmed by the CDC. He said the investigation is ongoing and evolving. "Though we are closer to identifying the cause, we have not concluded there is one factor at this time." The investigation is also looking at anesthetic or the antiseptic as possible causes of infection, he said. The dates of the investigation have also been widened, and now include patients treated between July 1 and September 20. "We are casting a wider net as a precaution," Dreyzehner said. The Nashville facility contacted 737 patients who had lumbar epidural steroid injections between July 30 and September 20, health officials said previously. The facility was temporarily closed on September 20 and will remain closed until investigating authorities "are confident the current concerns have been resolved," the health department said. Between 100 and 200 patients at the Crossville facility may have been exposed or put at risk because of lumbar injections during the same time period, according to McMillin. No cases have been identified from the Oak Ridge facility, Dreyzehner said. Meningitis is a general term for swelling of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spine. The swelling is typically caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungus, although meningitis also be caused by injury, cancer or medications. For this type of meningitis, symptoms include worsening to severe headache, nausea, dizziness and fever, Dreyzehner said. Other symptoms can include slurred speech, unsteady gait, urinary retention, weakness and sensory deficit. CNN's Miriam Falco and Joe Sutton contributed to this report.

The other election that matters

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez waves to supporters during a campaign rally in Barquisimeto, Lara state, on Tuesday, October 2. The leftist leader, in power for almost 14 years, is vying for a fourth term in office that would extend his presidency by another six years, but opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski hopes to pull a major upset October 7. Capriles wears a native decoration from a shaman during a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, on Monday, October 1. Chavez's opponents are confident that on Sunday, Capriles will unseat the long-ruling leftist leader, a refrain previously heard before eventual defeats. Chavez greets supporters during a campaign rally in Sabaneta, Barinas state, on Monday. He dismissed his much younger challenger as a "fly" not worth chasing when challenged to a debate this year. Capriles arrives for a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, on Monday. "Venezuelans are looking for a new way," Capriles told his supporters. "It's been 14 years of the same government. This government has already completed its cycle and has nothing more to offer. They're only recycling promises." Supporters of Venezuela's current president cheer during a campaign rally in Barquisimeto, Lara state, on Tuesday. Presumably because of his health, Chavez has not held as many rallies or traveled as often as he has in previous campaigns. His re-election effort has been mostly through presidential addresses that state-run television stations are mandated to carry. Capriles supporters attend a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, on Monday. Capriles greets supporters during a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, on Monday. Chavez supporters attend a campaign rally in Boconoito, Portuguesa state, on Monday. Chavez waves to supporters next to his daughter Rosa Virginia on Tuesday. On Sunday, Venezuelans will vote for president Longtime leader Hugo Chavez is vying for a fourth term His challenger is 40-year-old Henrique Capriles Radonski Observers have expressed concern about post-election instability (CNN) -- Singing folk songs and strumming the guitar at his campaign rallies, Hugo Chavez shows no sign that he's facing the strongest challenge to his 13-year rule in Venezuela. He has dismissed his much younger challenger, Henrique Capriles Radonski, as a "fly" not worth chasing, when challenged to a debate earlier this year. Chavez's opponents are confident that this Sunday, Capriles will unseat the long-ruling leftist leader, a refrain previously heard before eventual defeats. Yet the incumbent is a political survivor and remains popular at home. But there are signals, observers say, that this time Chavez really is on the ropes. Chavez's influence over Latin America's left-leaning governments has often rankled the United States, Venezuela's largest trading partner. Venezuela is the fourth-largest exporter of oil to the United States. Despite that tight economic relationship, the two countries are not exactly close allies: Chavez often rails against the U.S. and its allies as "imperialists." Chavez on U.S. election Capriles battles 'too rich' image Venezuelan voters fear violence Can Capriles beat Chavez? Hugo Chavez looks to change his image Further complicating the U.S.-Venezuela relationship, Chavez is allied with Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he defended former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and he has even offered his support for Syria's leader Bashar al-Assad. At stake for Venezuelans is the ideological trajectory of their country. Chavez, 58, has had more than a decade to implement his vision of 21st century socialism, a view that emphasizes use of state oil windfalls to fund social programs. Observers say Capriles, 40, represents a moderate alternative. He has vowed not end the social programs that Chavez has set up, and he promises to fight corruption that has grown in the public sector. The candidates offer two distinct paths to solve the problems that are on Venezuelans minds: decaying infrastructure, high crime rates and political polarization. Candidates hold dueling rallies A close race? As expected, both sides claim they will be victorious -- and both sides have polls to back up those claims. Several polls gave Chavez a double-digit lead, while at least one gave Capriles a narrow lead. Chavez supporters say the majority of polls were clear. Those supporting Capriles say people were afraid to voice their real opinions. "The information we get from the polls is, at best, confusing," said Federico Welsch, a political analyst and retired professor at Universidad Simon Bolivar. Part of the problem is "an inherent bias in polling companies," according to Inaki Sagarzazu, a Venezuelan professor of politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, who has taken a closer look at the pollsters. Capriles, he noted, also must believe it is a close race, as evidenced by a speech this summer in which he spoke directly to the military, assuring them and other institutions that things will be OK if he wins. That address was significant because questions exist about whether the military, whose leadership ranks is stacked with Chavez loyalists, will accept a defeat. 2 killed as Venezuelan campaign turns violent Controlling for biases, there are two conclusions that Sagarzazu has drawn from the polls: That Chavez is "stuck" with support near -- but not quite at -- 50%, and that Capriles is closing the gap. "We're looking at a long night on October 7 because things look closer than polls or the government make it seem," he said. Chavez, cool and hip New campaign posters for Chavez have featured him popping a wheelie on a motorcycle, playing basketball and even performing as a rap artist. It's a sharp contrast with the image of a sick man who was diagnosed with cancer last year and underwent two surgeries, in addition to multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The image makeover is part of an effort to capture support for Chavez among Venezuela's undecided voters -- mostly young people -- who make up 23% of the electorate and could play a pivotal role in Sunday's election. Neither Chavez nor anyone in his government have publicly discussed what kind of cancer he has. He recently objected to a reporter's question about his health. "Here I am, and every day, I feel in better physical condition," the president said. " And I firmly believe, that that expression about physical limitations that you used, it's not going to be a factor in this campaign." Crafting a youthful image is also important because Chavez is 18 years older than his political rival, who turned 40 over the summer. "Venezuelans are looking for a new way," Capriles has told his supporters. "It's been 14 years of the same government. This government has already completed its cycle and has nothing more to offer. They're only recycling promises." Chavez, presumably because of his health, has not held as many rallies or traveled as often as he has in previous campaigns. His re-election effort has been mostly through presidential addresses that state-run television stations are mandated to carry. Chavez would have been unable to run for re-election this year because of constitutional limits. But his United Socialist Party of Venezuela pushed for a referendum in 2009 in which voters eliminated term limits. Winning another term in office next month would allow Chavez to rule Venezuela until 2019, the 20th anniversary of his rise to power. Whatever his health condition, Chavez remains a force in Venezuelan politics. His likeness is everywhere -- on television, on huge banners and the radio. His popularity remains high among Venezuelans, and his supporters remain as ardent as ever. However, Capriles has been constantly on the road, and his supporters say the momentum is shifting. "We see it everyday, people are opening up their doors and inviting us in," said Tomas Guanipa, secretary-general of Capriles' Justice First party. With high stakes, accusations fly The campaign has heated up in the final stretch, with accusations of improprieties flying back and forth. In the past month, the Capriles' campaign has accused Chavez of using a televised presidential address to bump an opposition campaign event from the airwaves. And the Chavez campaign released hidden-camera footage that purportedly showed one of Capriles' campaign leaders accepting a bribe. "There are definitely moments of tension," said Welsch, the retired professor at Universidad Simon Bolivar. That tension has also erupted into violence at several campaign rallies. On Saturday, gunmen reportedly killed three pro-Capriles activists in the western Venezuelan state of Barinas. Earlier this month, in the port city of Puerto Cabello, a group of people identified as Chavez supporters -- also known as "Chavistas" -- threw rocks as Capriles made his way to a campaign rally. Several people were injured in an ensuing clash between the two sides. Capriles' Justice First party has accused the ruling party of harassment during the campaign, particularly when the Chavez campaign released a hidden-camera video showing a lawmaker working on Capriles' campaign accepting cash from a businessman. Chavez's campaign said the money purportedly was a bribe for his opponents campaign and accused the Capriles camp of financing itself in this way. Capriles responded to the video by firing the lawmaker and joining in the government's call for an investigation. "It's a very difficult environment we are campaigning in," said Guanipa of Capriles' Justice First party. He characterized the harassment of the opposition campaign as acts of desperation from the ruling party. "It's the agenda of someone who is defeated," he said. Representatives from Chavez's campaign declined to comment, but Chavez told reporters last week that a Capriles victory was impossible, citing polls. "We are ready for the will of the people to be respected and for no one to come and disrespect the Venezuelan will," Chavez said. Meanwhile, a former minister and vice president under Chavez, Jose Vicente Rangel, accused the opposition of being capable of a coup or economic sabotage, if they lose. The back-and-forth accusations can only mean one thing, according to analyst Sagarzazu: "All the shenanigans that have been happening point in the direction that the government knows that things are close." The biggest question mark for observers abroad is whether the election will bring instability to Venezuela no matter who wins. Former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick Duddy, said unrest is not inevitable, but in an analysis for the Council of Foreign Affairs, laid out several scenarios of concern, beginning with the fact that "Chavez and several of his most senior associates have asserted that there will be instability and violence if he is not re-elected." Violence could break out if it appears Chavez is going to lose, if he dies unexpectedly or if he wins with the appearance of cheating, Duddy wrote. "Although Chavez has indicated he will respect the results of the election, most plausible scenarios for instability and conflict in Venezuela derive from the premise that the Chavistas will not willingly surrender power and would be willing to provoke violence, orchestrate civil unrest or engage in various forms of armed resistance to avoid doing so," Duddy said. Chavez opponent wants to be a uniter Journalist Osmary Hernandez and CNN's Rafael Romo contributed to this report.

‘Game’ change: Calif. hunters upset with agency’s name

Rich Pedroncelli / AP This logo will be changing on Jan.1. By Miguel Llanos, NBC News Call them words of war between hunters and wildlife activists: Starting Jan. 1, California's Department of Fish and Game will become Department of Fish and Wildlife. The change, hunters say, reflects a move away from traditional hunting and fishing values and is part of a bigger push by the Humane Society to eliminate hunting across the nation. Environmentalists and animal activists say it reflects a move to manage all wildlife in the state, not just "game" for hunters. California's change will leave just 12 states using "game" in the name of the agency overseeing wildlife, according to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (Those are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming.) Eighteen states use "wildlife," while the others use "natural resources" or "conservation." Moreover, data from the association and the National Conference of State Legislatures indicates the shift away from "game" is accelerating, the Associated Press reported. California's change was made in state legislation signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last week. The bill was one of six signed by Brown that the Humane Society championed as "reinforcing California's standing as a national leader in animal protection." The change was made "to accurately reflect the state agency's broader mission," bill sponsor Sen. Jared Huffman, a Democrat who previously was an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement.  Huffman said the proposed name change came from a majority on the 51-seat advisory panel convened to discuss the department's strategic vision. The Humane Society, which was on the panel, said the change reflects a department "representing an ever-expanding constituency." It ranges "from hunters to people who head into the woods to hike and watch wildlife," Casey Pheiffer, wildlife policy director for the group, told NBC News. "Wildlife face so many threats, from poaching to habitat loss, and the agency harnessing the support of all Californians — not just one constituency — is so important moving forward." But some hunting groups opposed the change and were vocal about it. "Generally, that means a shift toward butterflies, endangered species and other stuff like that," Mike Faw, spokesman for the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, told the Associated Press. The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance was also opposed, and said its partners were vastly outnumbered on the department's strategic vision advisory panel. Earlier the group had been telling supporters that the Humane Society "will attack hunting in California first, taking it one species at a time, until all types of hunting are eliminated — then take their forces to other states." That group cited another bill signed by Brown last week as a case in point. It outlaws the use of dogs to hunt bears and bobcats in the state, making it "easily the most severe anti-hunting legislation ever passed into California law," the group stated. The law, it added, "sets precedent placing the hunting of pigs, deer, pheasants, quail, ducks and other species with dogs in serious jeopardy." The Humane Society does oppose hunting in principle but Pheiffer said it was not on a campaign to ban it nationwide. "Absolutely not," said Pheiffer. "The threat to hunting comes from extreme groups ...  You can't just shut your eyes and ignore the fact that 99 percent of Californians don't hunt and then just decide that their values are negligible." ]]>

Officials: Man admits St. Maarten killings

A Jamaican-born man, 28, tells investigators he was involved in murders A judge orders a pretrial detention of the man Michael and Thelma King of South Carolina were slain in the beach town of Cupecoy The suspect also confesses to a restaurant robbery, prosecutor tells CNN (CNN) -- A 28-year-old Jamaican-born man has confessed to his involvement in the stabbing deaths of an American couple on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, a prosecutor said Wednesday. The suspect, whom authorities have identified only by his initials M.K.J., has also confessed involvement to a robbery of a restaurant last month, said General Solicitor Taco Stein. The suspect had previously denied any involvement in the killings last month of Michael and Thelma King, of South Carolina, at their oceanfront residence in Cupecoy, a beach town on the southwest tip of the Dutch island nation. Their bodies were discovered September 21, authorities said. The suspect appeared before a judge Wednesday, who granted the prosecution's request for a pretrial detention of eight days for the suspect, Stein told CNN. Investigators are now working to confirm the details of the suspect's statements and are gathering additional evidence to present in court, Stein said. A second suspect in custody in the Kings' murders has been identified as a 17-year-old man with the initials of J.C.M., Stein said. He hasn't confessed to any involvement in the slayings and will appear in court Thursday for a pretrial detention hearing, Stein said. St. Maarten is a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, whose economy is based on the tourism industry. More than 1 million tourists visit the island each year. The killings occurred in what is generally considered a safe area that is popular with tourists, according to the solicitor general. Investigators believe the murders took place during a robbery of the Kings, Stein said. Bodies of U.S. couple killed in St. Maarten are handed over

Fungal meningitis suspected in 4 deaths

By Maggie Fox, NBC News Four people have died from meningitis linked to a rare infection with a fungus called aspergillus, health officials said on Wednesday, with a total of 26 cases in five states. They are "almost certain" more will be identified before it's over. That number includes 18 people in Tennessee, two cases reported in Florida, three in Virginia, two in Maryland and one in North Carolina, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Two of the deaths were in Tennessee, one in Virginia and one in Maryland. The chief suspect is contaminated vials of a pain treatment injected directly into the spine. The drug, called methylprednisolone acetate, was made by a compounding pharmacy – one that makes drugs to order. The suspected batches were made without any preservatives. Several of the patients are seriously ill, says Tennessee Department of HealthCommissioner Dr. John Dreyzehner. Two clinics have closed voluntarily and a third is no longer giving the injections. "We have notified medical professionals the prime suspect for this outbreak is methylprednisolone acetate and we have identified the compounding center involved," Dreyzehner told reporters in a telephone briefing.  He declined to name the center. style type="text/css"> .ocicon { position: relative; top: 3px; } .invite a { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:13px; color: #336699; font-weight: bold; } .invite a:focus, a:hover, a:active { color:#CC0000; } Follow us on Facebook Follow me on Twitter It's not entirely certain the steroid is to blame, but it's the chief suspect, said the health department's Dr. Marion Kainer. The health officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are testing pain medications and other materials used with the steroid injections, as well as samples from the patients. Meningitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord, usually caused by bacteria or viruses. It can be very serious and is marked by a headache, fever, often a stiff neck and balance problems. Fungi and parasites can also cause this inflammation and in this case the common mold aspergillus is suspected. "The type of meningitis we are dealing with in this situation is not communicable person to person," Dreyzehner said. The 18 Tennessee cases are associated with Tennessee centers - Saint Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgery Center in Nashville, a center in Crossville, and now a third center in Oak Ridge, the officials said. The cases were all injected from two lots of steroids. Everyone treated at the centers since July 1 is being cautioned to look for symptoms and to see a doctor immediately if they develop any. More than 700 people were treated, Dreyzehner said. "Everybody who been exposed to the lot numbers that are suspect, the vast majority have not been symptomatic," he said. The incubation period – the time between treatment and the first symptoms – ranges from two days to two months, the officials said. No one treated before July 30 has turned up sick but officials said they were checking people back to July 1 out of an abundance of caution. The first 12 patients who were identified range in age from 49 to 89. The CDC and FDA are testing samples of the drug, which has been recalled nationwide, as well as samples from the patients to be sure it's aspergillus. Aspergillus has not been isolated yet from the steroid. Aspergillus is tricky to treat. It's an infection that patients with damaged immune systems can get – notably cancer patients and those with HIV infection. It's often found in the lungs because the mold – found in dead leaves and elsewhere -- can be inhaled. An antifungal drug called voriconazole can treat the infection but the health officials said in this case they want to be sure before they try it. The side effects from the antifungal treatment can be severe and include kidney and liver damage. It's also hard to reach an infection in the spinal cord. The health officials stress that women who got epidural injections while giving birth are not at risk in this outbreak. In 2005, after a giant quake and tsunami devastated shorelines around the Indian Ocean, a team of doctors in Sri Lanka reported on an outbreak of aspergillus meningitis among women who got epidurals during childbirth. Five young women were infected and three of them died. In that case, they reported in several medical journals, the anesthetics used had been stored in hot and dirty warehouses in the aftermath of the tsunami's devastation. Related links: Fungus meningitis sickens 12, kills 2 Parents of killed toddler settle tainted wipes lawsuit

Girl missing after 911 tweet found safe

A photo of Kara Alongi from her Twitter feed. Kara Alongi tweeted "There is somone in my hour ecall 911" before disappearing Sunday The teen's online post drew national attention New Jersey State Police found Alongi walking along the New Jersey Turnpike on Tuesday Detectives are trying to determine where she went and how she got there, police say (CNN) -- A New Jersey teenager who disappeared Sunday after posting a Twitter message asking followers to call 911 was "found safe and unharmed" Tuesday, police said Wednesday. Kara Alongi, 16, generated big buzz on social media when she tweeted, "There is somone in my hour ecall 911" at 6:20 p.m. Sunday before she went missing. It is believed she meant "someone in my house, call 911." The comment spawned a flurry of activity on the social networking site, with thousands using the hashtag, #helpfindkara. The girl's Twitter account had also netted nearly 100,000 followers by mid-Monday. New Jersey State Police found Alongi walking along the New Jersey Turnpike near Exit 1 at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, said Alan Scherb, chief of the Clark, New Jersey, Police Department. No details were released about the circumstances of her disappearance, although detectives are investigating, he said. "The investigation by the Clark Police Department remains active, and detectives will seek to determine the teen's whereabouts and methods of transportation over the last 48 hours," Scherb said. "Additional information will be released as it becomes available." Alongi was taken to a South Jersey hospital for evaluation, where she was reunited with her family Tuesday evening, Scherb said. "Kara was transferred to a North Jersey hospital overnight for additional evaluations and was released a short time later and returned home early this morning," he said Wednesday. The teen's online post drew national attention, with several people posting her photo in hope of finding her, as well as broader speculation about what may have happened. "A girl named kara got kidnapped tonight in my town. if you ALL could RT this, that'd be amazing," said Twitter user "Joshua," whose user name is @chommikk. "RT" means "retweet," or forward the message. The series of posts also prompted indignation from social media users like Jill Brown, whose username is ‏@YoungJillian_. "I understand the whole #helpfindkara, but what about every other child that goes missing everyday?" she wrote. "What makes this different?" Alongi, who was home alone, did not call police, authorities said. Her parents phoned authorities after they realized she had gone missing. Adding to police suspicion, authorities say someone called a taxi company asking for a car at Alongi's address around the time her Twitter message was posted. The driver later identified Alongi as the girl he picked up and said he drove her to Rahway Train Station, Scherb said. CNN's David Ariosto and Eden Pontz contributed to this report.