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SEAL exercise kills U.S. sailor

A U.S. sailor was killed and seven other service members were injured in a training exercise for SEAL forces in Fort Knox, Ky., officials said Friday.

The accident took place Wednesday night during a training exercise that involved a humvee vehicle that overturned, officials from Naval Special Warfare Group 2 said in a statement.

The sailor was identified as Special Warfare Operator 3d Class Jonathan H. Kaloust, assigned to an East Coast-based Navy SEAL team out of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Fort Story, Va., officials said. The seven were treated for minor injuries, and were released, officials said. - L.A. Times

Ill. Senate OKs medical-pot bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide whether he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation Friday.

The proposed law creates a framework for a four-year pilot program that includes requiring patients and caregivers to undergo background checks. It sets a 2.5-ounce limit per patient per purchase and calls for 60 dispensaries regulated by the state.

The proposal has been touted as the strictest in the nation among states that have legalized medical marijuana. It authorizes physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients with whom they have an existing relationship and those who have at least one of more than 30 medical conditions listed on the measure. - AP

Getting a degree in a war zone

SAN DIEGO - Finals week was dangerous for Thomas Saenz.

The Navy lieutenant needed armed guards and an armored car to get to his California university-approved exam site, in Kabul, Afghanistan. A deadly bomb attack also caused him to miss the class - transmitted live via the Internet - but he persevered and earned a master's degree in engineering while commanding a top security team.

His class graduated Friday, as he joined a growing number of service members earning college degrees while serving in a war zone. "Not only was he out there living on the edge," his University of Southern California professor, Frank Alvidrez, told the Associated Press, "but he had to get his homework done."

It's not known how many others like Saenz earn their degrees while in combat. A commencement ceremony for 100 war-zone graduates from various universities is planned for later this month in Kandahar. - AP

Elsewhere:

An Arkansas law that bans most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy was temporarily blocked Friday by a federal judge.