The news just keeps breaking

I’ve got a couple of quick updates for you on stories covered here in the past. And in one case, I really mean the past. Enjoy!

(This is an experimental format I’ve tried twice before. Please let me know how you like it and if you have suggestions for improvement.)

• Way back in January, I told you about Weyco, the Michigan health-care company which told its employees to quit smoking or lose their jobs. 60 Minutes picked up the story (took ’em long enough) and updates us on two of the people fired for smoking at that company. In most U.S. states, employers can fire employees without cause. (The flip side is that employees can also quit whenever they want without cause, or even notice.)
• Rep. Tom DeLay, who was indicted last month for money laundering, admitted last week that he failed to disclose contributions to his legal defense fund between 2000 and 2001, as required by House ethics rules. And the judge in his case has been recused for contributing to the Democratic Party.
• The Transportation Security Administration has shut down its Registered Traveler pilot program and is currently “evaluating” it. This doesn’t affect Orlando Airport’s CLEAR program, which will continue operating through January 2006.