Ronald McDonald pressured to retire

Corporate Accountability International, the group that forced Joe Camel's retirement, now has its eyes set on Ronald McDonald. 

The health watchdog group wants to stop the popular fast food chain from gearing its advertising toward children. The group says the beloved mascot has too much influence on kids during this "childhood obesity crisis."

The group will release an official report tomorrow, detailing the marketing tactics of the fast food chain. The report will also include childhood obesity rates and document how Americans see Ronald McDonald. 

The CAI is planning a lunchtime "retirement party" for the happy mascot, outside the McDonald's on State Street and Chicago Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Almost two dozen events will be held by the group at locations nationwide to make a statement.

Meanwhile, McDonald's is defending its international icon. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, McDonald's said, "He is the heart and soul of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which lends a helping hand to families in their time of need."

There are currently 271 Ronald McDonald Houses in 30 countries.

"Ronald also helps deliver messages to families on many important subjects such as safety, literacy and the importance of physical activity and making balanced food choices," the company said. 

The CAI argues all of Ronald's appearances are only to promote fattening McDonald's foods.

Governor Paterson delays $2.1 billion in school aid

More than 600 New York school districts will have to wait before they receive financial aid from the state. 

Governor David Paterson said he would delay $2.1 billion in school aid to conserve cash. The state is facing a $9 billion deficit in the year beginning April 1. 

Payment to the state's schools was scheduled for tomorrow, but the payments are not legally due until June 1. Paterson says the state will meet the deadline, "assuming sufficient cash is available." 

According to the Post-Standard, this is not Paterson's first delay in school payments. In Dec., he withheld $750 million in payments to prevent the state from running out of cash. The state made the payments in January.

Click here to see Governor Paterson's issued statement.

 

Man fleeing police jumps into prison yard

A man fleeing from police found himself in a very ironic place...a prison yard.

Garfield Heights Police said they tried to pull over a driver around 1 a.m. Monday morning, after the driver failed to signal, according to Fox 8 News in Cleveland.

Instead, the driver, 20 year-old Ricky Flowers II, took off on a high speed chase, reaching speeds of more than 90 miles an hour. After a lengthy chase, Flowers pulled over. He and his three passengers jumped out of the car and began running.

Two passengers, Mitchell Buyers, 19, and Lamar Sullins, 19, were arrested almost immediately.

Gabriel Huston, 20, and Flowers started climbing the prison's barbed wire fence. Huston was shot with a taser gun, but Flowers made it all the way into the prison. He shred his arm and needed 36 staples and stitches.

All four men are in custody facing several charges. 

When asked why he didn't initially pull over, Flowers told police it was because he had a suspended license and didn't want his mom to find out he was driving the car.