Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TEMPE LATEST CITY DEBATING SMOKING LAWS The Phoenix suburb of Tempe is no stranger to controversy. The affluent, politically active residents there are quick to take sides and engage in protracted discussions. Now, according to the Arizona Republic, the latest fodder for conversation is a proposed ban on smoking in public places in the city. Advertisement The publication says that the issue is a May 21 ballot. It pits business interests against health advocacy groups. The question of smoking in public places is such a "hot potato" that the outspoken mayor of the city won't even take sides. If the ban is put into play, it would be the first one in Arizona approved by voters. Some bar owners -- in a reaction heard when California banned smoking -- say that if the smoking lamp is turned out in their establishments, people will simply drive to nearby jurisdictions where they are allowed to smoke. Advertisement MISSING GIRL CASE HOT TOPIC IN MIAMI Ever since the city of Miami's health services department admitted that a young girl in its care had been missing for more than a year, the reaction has been heated -- from local media editorials to over-the-backyard-fence discussions. The Herald now says that the question remains, how could the girl -- entrusted to the care of her grandmother -- be missing for some 15 months and no one in official positions be informed about the case? The head of social services says the incident is inexcusable and an official investigation has been launched. Meanwhile, tributes to the still-missing girl continue to surface. Newspapers continue to print photos of the young girl whose first name spells a special phrase. Her parents called her Rilya: "Remember, I Love You Always." MEMPHIS VIEWER FEAR BOXING BLACKOUT Since the first days of television, many local sports fans have not been able to see local events. Many are blacked-out, unless the local game is a sellout. Some cities, though, have never faced that problem. Because the Washington Redskins have been consistently sold out, local fans have been able to see the games on TV for decades. Advertisement In Memphis, though, an upcoming event -- which many people assumed would be available on local cable --- may be blacked out. The Commercial Appeal says that promoters of the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson fight don't want "locals" to be able to tune in at home or in their favorite sports bar. As a matter of fact, they are trying to prevent cable systems within a 20-mile radius from carrying the bout. Meanwhile, the debate between the promoters and local cable and pay-per-view operators continues. MAN PLEADS IN BOGUS LICENSE SCAM Court officials in Tennessee say that one of five men charged with helping people obtain unauthorized driver's licenses has pleaded guilty to the accusations. The official federal charge is conspiracy. Four of the accused men are said to have ties with the Middle East. Police say they moved to west Tennessee recently from New York City. Published reports say a sixth person was originally implicated. She once worked as an examiner at a state DMV office. The case first drew national attention when the woman died in a fiery car crash less than a day before she was scheduled to testify at a court hearing. Advertisement The five were arrested by a task force of FBI and Tennessee state officials at a local driver testing station.
