Auburn rally fights proposed prison closures

Union workers rallied Thursday against Gov. David Patterson's proposal to close the Butler Correctional Facility and three other priors, according to The Post Standard. 

Paterson proposed the plan to thin a budget deficit of more than $7 billion. Between 75 and 100 prison guards and advocates congregated at the Ukranian National Club to voice their disapproval.

 Members believe the state should instead consider cutting administrators, limiting single cells to one prisoner and using uncrowded facilities like Butler to house inmates from overcrowded prisons.

58 corrections officers would lose their jobs if the Butler Correctional Facility is closed.

Terror suspect pleads guilt to lying to feds

A New York man accused of playing a role in an alleged terror plot pleaded guilty Thursday, according to CNN.com.

Ahmad Wais Afzali, a Muslim cleric from Queens, had been charged for his association with a plot to detonate bombs on New York subways. Afzali allegedly lied about whether he tipped off another suspect that the FBI had been inquiring about his actions.

Afzali's plea deal recommends that he be sentenced to no more than six months. A charge for lying to feds during a terror investigation carries a maximum sentence of eight years.

Afzali is a native of Afghanistan. He is uncertain whether he will remain in the United States after serving his sentence.

Baylor's freshman sensation suspended for throwing punch

Brittney Griner, a freshman standout at Baylor well known for her in-game dunks, has been suspended for one game for throwing a punch, according to ESPN.com.

Griner punched Texas Tech's Jordan Barncastle after Barncastle committed a hard foul on her. Griner was immediately ejected from the game and Barncastle left after shooting her technical free throws with a broken nose.

NCAA rules require Griner to sit out Baylor's final regular season game against Texas. The league is still determining whether further disciplinary action is required.

Griner, 19, is second in the nation in scoring, averaging 19 points per game.