Across the region

Corpse display breaks attendance records

TAMPA, FLA. - More than 12,000 people came to the Museum of Science and Industry in the first four days of a controversial exhibit featuring preserved human cadavers and body parts, shattering previous attendance records.

Museum officials said "BODIES, the Exhibition," showcasing human bodies preserved and posed so visitors can see their inner workings, broke records set in December 2003 when artifacts from the Titanic were displayed. The 20 cadavers and 260 other body parts are preserved with a process that replaces human tissue with silicone rubber. Skin is removed, exposing the rest - muscles, bones, organs, tendons, blood vessels and brains.

Legislature settles election from 2004

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina lawmakers selected a new superintendent of public schools Tuesday in a historic vote, resolving the nation's last undecided statewide election from November 2004.

Democrat June Atkinson was picked to run the state's 1.4-million pupil school system by a 93-21 vote during a joint session of the Senate and House. She was immediately sworn into office.

It was the first time since 1835 that North Carolina lawmakers determined the winner of a statewide office.

"I hope to cram four years into three years and a half," Ms. Atkinson said during the ceremony.