Tsarnaev Says ‘Sorry,’ Flags Falling

The Bomber: At his formal death sentencing yesterday, Boston Marathon Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev apologized for the first time saying, “I am sorry for the lives that I’ve taken, for the suffering that I’ve caused you, for the damage that I’ve done … irreparable damage.”

The 21-year-old native of Kyrgyzstan mumbled, forcing the court audience to strain to listen as he said, “I’m guilty of it. If there is any lingering doubt of that, let it be no more.” In a speech woven with Muslim references, Tsarnaev said, “Allah says in the Quran that with every hardship there is relief. I pray for your relief, for your healing, for your well being, for your strength.”

Stars and Bars: The dominoes continue to fall for the Confederate flag. Alabama’s Republican Gov. Robert Bentley ordered the removal of four Confederate flags from the Capitol grounds saying it was “the right thing to do.” The flags around a Confederate memorial were removed within hours. Also yesterday, the National Park Service asked its gift shop vendors to stop selling confederate flags or items that feature only the Confederate Flag.

On the Right: Just a week after the country’s latest mass killing, Wisconsin’s Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill yesterday eliminating the state’s 48-hour waiting period to buy a gun. The law also allows off-duty, retired and out-of-state police officers to carry guns on school grounds.

The man who’s battered government employee unions and required drug testing for welfare recipients is preparing to announce he’s a candidate for president. But he’s fighting with his own party at home. Walker refuses to raise taxes to pay for necessary bridge and road repairs and his legislature won’t let him borrow the money.

Nation: A second employee of New York’s Clinton Correctional Facility has been arrested and accused of helping two murderers escape. He’s the second prison employee arrested. Prison guard Gene Palmer is accused of helping to smuggle in the tools the inmates used to cut through walls and a steel pipe.

Joyce Mitchell, who worked in the sewing shop, was arrested just days after the breakout nearly three weeks ago.

In an interview with North Country Public Radio 10 years ago about working at the prison Palmer said, “With the money they pay you’ll go bald, you’ll have high blood pressure, you’ll become an alcoholic, you’ll divorce, and then you’ll kill yourself.”

Hundreds of police officers are still searching the woods and hunting cabins west of Dannemora, NY for David Sweat and Richard Matt.

World: The Islamic State has released video appearing to show the destruction of two historic tombs in Palmyra near central Syria. So far they have not destroyed the treasured ancient ruins in Palmyra itself. ISIS has stepped up its public relations campaign of atrocities in recent days, first showing video of a man being dismembered, and then a video of several prisoners drowned in a cage lowered into water.

Small Screen: PBS has suspended the show “Finding Your Roots” after learning that producers knuckled to pressure from Ben Affleck to omit the detail that one of his ancestors had owned slaves. The show hosted by Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. traces the family roots of celebrities and public figures. PBS is demanding staff changes and accuracy assurances before the show goes back on the air.

Soap: After 37 years playing Luke Spencer on the soap opera “General Hospital,” actor Anthony Geary has filmed his last episode. Geary was half of the famous soap opera couple “Luke and Laura.” His character’s 1981 marriage to Laura, played by Genie Francis, had 30 million viewers, a daytime viewing record that still stands. Geary’s curly locks are gone now. He’s 68.

Whole Prices: The NY Daily News reports that Whole Foods is under investigation by the Department of Consumer Affairs in New York for overcharging for food. What DCA doesn’t seem to understand is that Whole Foods Customers feel better about what they eat when they pay too much.

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It's Been Said

"Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine, you won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians. I love you Christians. I'm a Christian. I love you, get out, you gotta get out and vote. In four years, you don't have to vote again, we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote."

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