Morning Buzz: July 25, 2007

Members of the House Judiciary Committee are set to vote today on whether they should hold White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress.  Miers and Bolten were subpoenaed and asked for information on the firings of U.S. attorneys, but both said they were shielded by President Bush’s claim of executive privilege. If held in contempt, the punishment could be a federal misdemeanor with a penalty of up to $100,000 and one year in prison. U.S. News also reported on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’s testimony yesterday before Congress that dealt in large measure with the U.S. attorney firings. Gonzales has been repeatedly told by Democratic members of Congress that he should resign over the scandal.

Airport security officers have been asked to watch for terrorists attempting to test security and carry explosive components onto planes.  The Transportation Security Administration issued an alert June 20 urging security officials to keep an eye out for everyday items that look like improvised explosive device components. The memo cited the use of dry runs in terror plots, including the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the London subway bombings.

While the headline "Giant Squid Invade California" may sound like something out of a 1950s science-fiction film, it’s actually a reality, according to a study released yesterday. Jumbo squid, which can grow to 7 feet long and 110 pounds, have been found in central Californian waters and are preying on local fish populations there. In the past, these beasts were found in the eastern Pacific in waters from Peru to Costa Rica, but as fisherman depleted their prey, including tuna, sharks, and swordfish, the squid swam north. Now California fishermen fear the squid will hurt business.