U.S. Top News: Appalachia banks on natural gas, chemical plants

Click to View in Browser 03/12/2012 Appalachia banks on natural gas, chemical plants WHEELING, West Virginia (Reuters) - In George Vacheresse's lifetime, Appalachia has fallen from its prime when steel mills and coal mines anchored middle-class communities and offered hope there always would be enough work to go around. First Solar to build new solar plant for NRG (Reuters) - First Solar Inc will build a 26-megawatt solar power plant for power producer NRG Energy Inc in Arizona under the latest deal between two of the biggest players in the U.S. renewable energy sector. Televangelist Robert Schuller leaves church board LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Televangelist Robert Schuller and his wife have left the board of the California megachurch that they founded and made famous for the "Hour of Power" broadcasts, amid a financial dispute with its leaders. Last inmates pardoned by former Mississippi Governor released STARKVILLE, Mississippi (Reuters) - The last three inmates still in prison who had been pardoned by former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour were released on Saturday, two days after the state's highest court cleared the way for their freedom. Congressman Inslee to step down and focus on run for governor (Reuters) - Representative Jay Inslee said on Saturday he would step down from Congress later this month to focus full time on what is expected to be a tight race for governor of Washington state. Coast Guard searches for 4 missing off Washington coast (Reuters) - The Coast Guard is searching for four people missing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington state, after a fishing vessel sent a distress signal early on Saturday. Judge stabbed, deputy shot at Washington state courthouse SEATTLE (Reuters) - A knife-wielding attacker stabbed a judge and shot a sheriff's deputy with the officer's own gun in a county courthouse in Washington state on Friday, prompting a lockdown of schools and government buildings as police and SWAT teams searched for the attacker. Chicago-area house featured in 'Home Alone' movies sold CHICAGO (Reuters) - The stately red brick house featured in the 1990 comedy film "Home Alone" has sold for nearly $1.6 million, a person involved in the transaction said on Saturday. French actor confirms engagement to Halle Berry: report LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - French actor Olivier Martinez has confirmed that he and Oscar winner Halle Berry are engaged to be married, the Miami Herald reported. Forgotten in Republican campaign, Eisenhower rises in stature ABILENE, Kansas (Reuters) - Former President Dwight Eisenhower is hardly mentioned during the Republican campaign for the White House this year even though the reputation of the World War Two general-turned-politician is rising among a record number of scholars studying his presidency. Related Video Workers killed in Istanbul inferno Marie Colvin memorial in Long Island Great Debate We are letting Assad win Was a Putin mentor poisoned? A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend