American Scene

CALIFORNIA

FBI investigating airline bomb hoax

LOS ANGELES — The FBI on Wednesday was trying to determine whether a passenger staged a bomb hoax that prompted a search of a Thai Airways jetliner at Los Angeles International Airport.

“The working theory at this point” is that a passenger aboard Flight 794 scrawled the bomb threat on a restroom mirror, but no arrest was made, and the investigation continues, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

There was no indication that a crew member was involved, she added.

Making a phony threat against an airliner is a federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, Ms. Eimiller said.

The plane, carrying 171 passengers and 18 crew members, was heading from Bangkok to Los Angeles when the threat was discovered.

ILLINOIS

Pediatricians group backs doctor flu shots

CHICAGO — The nation’s largest pediatricians group is endorsing mandatory flu vaccinations for doctors, nurses and other health care workers.

In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics says mandatory vaccination of health care workers is needed to protect patients. The group says it’s ethically justified and long overdue.

According to the academy, voluntary vaccination programs just haven’t worked. Too many health care workers still shun annual flu vaccinations. Evidence shows some have passed along flu to patients.

The academy says it should be up to hospitals to devise mandatory vaccination programs and enforce them.

MICHIGAN

Detroit mayor calls fires ‘natural disaster’

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