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Nation & World
Norm Coleman wins Senate race
Exactly one week after he entered Minnesota's Senate race as a fill-in for the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, Walter Mondale conceded that race on Wednesday to Republican Norm Coleman.
The race was close, 50 percent to 48 percent, with 98 precincts reporting. But Mondale said he anticipated no legal challenge to the outcome, even though some Wellstone supporters were angry that their absentee ballots would not be counted.
Coleman’s victory over one of Minnesota’s revered statesmen was part of a national Republican tide and a symbol of strength for President Bush. Coleman was the White House’s chosen candidate, and Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney visited the state several times on his behalf.
With the count nearly final, Coleman had 50 percent or 1.02 million votes, to Mondale’s 48 percent or 974,174 votes.
Winona Ryder convicted of charges
Actress Winona Ryder was convicted Wednesday of stealing $5,500 worth of high-fashion merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue last year.
The jury found the star of “Girl, Interrupted” guilty of felony grand theft and vandalism but cleared her of burglary, a count that required proof of advance intent. The panel reached the verdict after more than five hours of deliberations.
Ryder faces anywhere from probation to three years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6.
The two-time Oscar nominee, who turned 31 in the defendant’s chair, was arrested Dec. 12 as she left the Beverly Hills store, her arms laden with packages.
Ryder did not testify during the trial, which lasted two weeks.
The prosecution told the jury that Ryder came to Saks with larceny on her mind, bringing shopping bags, a garment bag and scissors to snip security tags.
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