In the Nation

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo declared his candidacy for governor Saturday, delivering a full-throated call for political reform and pledging to make the notoriously dysfunctional state government more accountable to its citizens.

With his famous father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, standing nearby, the younger Cuomo cast himself as a populist crusader who would lead a "citizens coalition" to restore integrity to state government.

Cuomo made the announcement on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan, named for the notorious leader of the city's corrupt 19th-century Tammany Hall political machine. Cuomo said he did so because "Albany's antics today could make Boss Tweed blush."

"Enough is enough," Cuomo, a Democrat, declared. "It's time the people of the Empire State strike back." Cuomo promised to cap the state's property taxes, which are among the highest in the nation, and to consolidate local governments and create a more favorable environment for job growth. - AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Atlantis' six astronauts got a little down time up in orbit Saturday on the eve of their departure from the International Space Station.

The shuttle crewmen wrapped up the third and final spacewalk of their space station visit Friday. So on Saturday, Mission Control gave them part of the day off.

They planned to indulge in their favorite pastime - gazing out the window and watching the world go by. "It's like a geography lesson. It's fantastic," astronaut Piers Sellers said in an educational event. Eighteen youngsters ranging from first to 12th grade submitted questions by video. - AP

CLEVELAND - Comedian Drew Carey plans to visit his hometown of Cleveland to discuss with City Council members his ideas to help revitalize the city.

The host of The Price is Right is expected to meet with council members Thursday. In inviting Carey, Council President Martin Sweeney wrote that "Clevelanders sometimes bristle at criticism from outsiders, but you are one of us . . . as one of our Favorite Sons, your thoughts and ideas are most welcome."

Last month, Carey argued for less government, more competition, lower taxes, and changes to schools in 10-minute segments about Cleveland on the website reason.tv. The site is affiliated with the Reason Foundation, a libertarian-leaning organization for which Carey is a board member. - AP

Events were taking place in California and across the country Saturday in honor of Harvey Milk, marking the first day of "special significance" to honor the slain gay rights leader on what would have been his 80th birthday. Milk was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978, when he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated at City Hall by former supervisor Dan White.