Casey Anthony Leaves Jail, Mexican Drug Cartels Could Target Ports, and More In Chad’s Steaming Pile

Here are just a few things in Chad’s Pile that you will hear on Lubbock’s First News this morning. Give Chad your feedback on the steaming topics.

1. Casey Anthony is free (link)

Well, Casey Anthony is now a free woman and the countdown is on until she is arrested for doing something. I mean come on, you know she is going to screw up somehow. Here is what the AP said:

Wearing a pink Polo T-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers, Anthony left the jail at 12:14 a.m. local time (0414 GMT) with her attorney, Jose Baez. Her hair in a bun, a somber-looking Anthony quietly said "thank you" to deputy sheriff waiting to escort her outside, and then she and Baez quickly strode to a waiting SUV as two deputies armed with semiautomatic rifles walked behind. Baez held the back door, she climbed in and the vehicle drove away amid camera light flashes.

It was all over in seconds, and neither she nor Baez said anything to reporters and protesters waiting outside.

News helicopters followed the SUV to a covered parking garage at a downtown office building. But the SUV never re-emerged, and it could not been seen if Anthony was in any of the cars that appeared in the area.

After three years behind bars, Anthony was given $537.68 in cash from her jail account.

Personally, I can't stand it that this woman is a celebrity now. Part of me wonders what will happen first, book deal or reality show. One or both of those will happen. Yesterday I was on Google+ and someone posted this:

Why get mad at Casey Anthony in a world where what Planned Parenthood does is legal?

He's pretty much right. Sure be angry about the Anthony case, but far more people are outraged about Casey Anthony than abortion. Think about that.

2. GOP misses deadline  (link)

The showdown over the debt ceiling continues. Here is the latest from The Hill:

House Republican leaders have missed a 36-hour deadline President Obama set during a Thursday meeting for lawmakers to give him a plan to avert a national default.Instead, Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) plan to move the Cut, Cap and Balance Act on the floor next week, which would require passage of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution before the debt limit is raised.

On Monday we will discuss the latest with the debt ceiling with Congressman Neugebauer. I think it is still a while before an agreement is reached. I just hope that Republicans keep holding strong.

3. Mexican Drug Cartels (link)

Government officials are now warning Americans that Mexican drug cartels may target border ports. The alert was issued on Friday and I'm sure we will hear the Mexican government try to downplay it at some point this week. The warning states:

“In the past, cartels have been willing to utilize car bombs in attacks.  We ask American citizens to remain vigilant,” the warning states.

The Consulate General of Ciudad Juárez said Mexican law enforcement and rival cartels may also be targeted, and suggested that U.S. citizens traveling or living in Chihuahua register or update their contact information with the State Department’s Smart Traveler program. Juárez is in the throes of a violent turf war between the rival Sinaloa and Juárez cartels and the various street gangs they employ. The warning does not state which cartel might be planning the retribution.

These and many more topics coming up on Friday’s edition of Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty. Tune in mornings 6-9am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App.