WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2006 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that more than $385 million in Forest Service revenue will be distributed to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, roads and stewardship projects.

"This is the sixth and final year of payments as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools Act and Community Self Determination Act of 2000," said Johanns. "The Forest Service has distributed more than $2 billion under this legislation since 2001 to assist counties in maintaining and improving local schools and roads."

Since 1908, 25 percent of Forest Service revenues, such as those from timber sales, mineral resources and grazing fees, have been returned to states in which national forest lands are located. Because receipts from timber sales fluctuate, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was developed to stabilize payments to counties. The funds have been used for schools and roads as well as to create employment opportunities to maintain current infrastructure and enhance forest ecosystems, improving land health and water quality. Authority for the Forest Service to make the payments expired at the end of fiscal year 2006.

The fiscal year 2006 payments are listed in the attached table. The payments do not reflect national grassland revenues, which are calculated on a calendar year basis and will be paid to counties in March. Oregon received the highest payment of more than $149 million; California received $66 million; and Washington received $42 million.

An additional provision of the act provides for an additional $32 million this year to be used by local county Resource Advisory Committees to fund projects to improve federal lands.

The Forest Service manages approximately 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) has completed the purchase of the assets of WTAJ-TV, the CBS affiliate serving the Johnstown/Altoona, Pennsylvania market for $56 million from Television Station Group Holdings, LLC, which is primarily owned by Boston Ventures and Alta Communications.

According to Nielsen Media 2006-2007 Local Market Estimates, Johnstown/Altoona, Pennsylvania is the 98th largest television market in the country.

As part of the purchase consideration, Nexstar also acquired the license and certain assets and contracts of WLYH-TV, in Lancaster PA, whereby another broadcaster now operates the station under a grandfathered Time Brokerage Agreement that extends until 2015.

Nexstar closed at $4.65 on Friday.

NAMC

Attorney General Bill McCollum was sworn into office today as Florida's 36th Attorney General. McCollum, a native Floridian, joined Governor Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson at today's inaugural ceremony in Tallahassee, where the members of the new state Cabinet assumed the responsibilities of their offices.

"I am humbled to serve the people of Florida as their Attorney General and will make the safety and security of our state and its citizens my top priority," said McCollum. "I look forward to the days and tasks ahead as we work together for the good of this state."

McCollum, of Orlando, served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972, retiring as a Commander after 23 years of service in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He later represented the people of Central Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives for 20 years, retiring in 2001. Today, as he begins his term as the state's newest Attorney General, McCollum pledged to continue to protect Florida's communities, families and children. One of his priorities will be the Attorney General's Child Predator CyberCrime Unit, which protects children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The unit has made 33 arrests since its inception in October 2005.

Ban, however, took a different approach, never mentioning the U.N. ban on the death penalty in all its international tribunals, and the right to life enshrined in the U.N. Charter.

"Saddam Hussein was responsible for committing heinous crimes and unspeakable atrocities against Iraqi people and we should never forget victims of his crime," Ban said in response to a reporter's question about Saddam's execution Saturday for crimes against humanity. "The issue of capital punishment is for each and every member state to decide."

His ambiguous answer put a question mark over the U.N.'s stance on the death penalty. It also gave the new chief an early taste of how tricky global issues are, and how every word can make a difference.

Some brewers, especially small ones, already offer tastings at their own facilities, as does Anheuser-Busch at its Fairfield plant. But previously, companies couldn’t offer free samples outside their own tasting rooms.

The new law allows beer tastings at bars and restaurants. It limits the amount to no more than 8 ounces per person a day and requires the beer to be served in a glass. Tastings cannot last more than an hour and there are also annual limits on the number of tastings a single manufacturer, importer or wholesaler can offer at a particular establishment.

Graul said an announcement is expected to be made later this afternoon that Green, a Republican from Green Bay who lost his bid for governor in November against Democratic incumbent Jim Doyle, will return to Godfrey & Kahn, a Milwaukee-based law firm with offices in Green Bay, Appleton, Madison, Waukesha, Washington and China. Green worked for the firm for 11 years, beginning in 1989.

The firm specializes in business law and corporate transactions, according to its Web site, but also serves individual clients in matters such as estate planning.

Green will work with clients on administrative and regulatory legal matters and assist businesses in their needs in international markets, according to a news release.