July 1st Papers

today's papers
Mr. Franken Goes To WashingtonBy Daniel PolitiPosted Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at 6:35 AM ET
The Washington Post and New York Times lead with the end of an eight-month election dispute in Minnesota as Al Franken packs his bags and gets ready to join the Senate. His victory officially gives Democrats a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority. The Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Franken's favor yesterday, declaring that the comedian turned politician won by 312 votes out of 2.9 million cast. Two hours later, Republican Norm Coleman conceded. "I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States senator," Coleman said. "I can't wait to get started," Franken said.
USA Today leads with, and is alone in fronting, the Yemenia Airways Airbus A310 that crashed yesterday in the Indian Ocean, 12 miles away from the island nation of Comoros, carrying 153 people. European officials said that a 2007 safety inspection found the jet had "faults," but Yemeni officials say those problems were fixed. A 14-year-old girl appears to have been the only survivor. The Wall Street Journal's world-wide newsbox leads with the withdrawal of American combat troops from Iraqi cities. The Iraqi government declared the day a national holiday and was officially in celebration mode, which included fireworks and parades. But a car bombing in the northern city of Kirkuk that killed at least 34 people served as a reminder of the challenges that Iraq's security forces will have to confront. The Los Angeles Times leads with news that California lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger failed to reach a budget agreement last night. If the two sides are unable to agree before Thursday, the state's controller will begin issuing IOUs as payment to contractors and some citizens.
To continue reading, click here.Daniel Politi writes "Today's Papers" for Slate. He can be reached at todayspapers@slate.com.