Briefs: News capsules

N.Y. school renamed for President Obama

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) — Students got their wish Wednesday as their school was officially renamed Barack Obama Elementary School.

School officials believe it's the first in the nation to be renamed for the 44th president, and they said the idea to change the name of Ludlum Elementary School came from the children themselves.

The students wrote essays and held mock debates during the campaign, and they paid close attention when Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain met in their final presidential debate at Hofstra University, about a mile from their school on Long Island.

Just weeks after the election, the school board unanimously passed a resolution making the change, and when the president was inaugurated last month all 460 students were given navy blue sweatshirts emblazoned with "Barack Obama Elementary School — Yes We Can."

The school's enrollment is 62 percent Hispanic and 36 percent black.

Fire destroys LDS church in Nevada

LOGANDALE, Nev. (AP) — Fire has destroyed an LDS church in a small Nevada farming town outside Las Vegas.

Firefighters saved an office building and church records, but the sanctuary was a total loss early Wednesday. No injuries were immediately reported.

Clark County fire spokesman Scott Allison says there was no immediate indication of foul play in the 4 a.m. fire that engulfed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sanctuary in Logandale, about 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Federal investigators are assisting the probe.

Chatroom partner helps avert suicide

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Jesse Coltrane exchanged instant messages and phone calls with a despondent California teenager, then became startled by the picture on his webcam: The young man who had been discussing suicide was starting to cut the skin of his forearm with a razor blade.

The teen stopped answering the phone and logged off his computer.

That's when Coltrane called Sacramento police, who quickly went in search of the young man.

By the time officers found the 18-year-old, he had decided not to go through with the attempt, said police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong.