National news briefs

Ginsberg is out of hospital, at her desk

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had cancer surgery earlier this year, made a quick return to work Friday after feeling ill at the office and spending the night in a Washington hospital as a precaution.

The 76-year-old justice was released from Washington Hospital Center in the morning and was at her desk by early afternoon, the court said.

Ginsburg became lightheaded in her office Thursday afternoon after receiving treatment for anemia. Although she was found to be stable after an examination, the court said she was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Ginsburg underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in February followed by a round of chemotherapy.

Manson follower Susan Atkins dies

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Susan Atkins, a member of the Charles Manson "family" who admitted ruthlessly stabbing pregnant actress Sharon Tate to death in the cult's 1969 murder spree, has died in prison less than a month after a parole board turned down a bid for compassionate release. She was 61 and had brain cancer.

Atkins, who eventually came to call the crimes a sin, died late Thursday, according to the California Department of Corrections.

Prop 8 foes seek sponsor records

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge is considering whether to order the sponsors of California's voter-approved gay marriage ban to produce their internal campaign records to lawyers now suing to overturn the law.

U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco heard arguments Friday from lawyers seeking the information, including strategy memos and e-mails between top campaign officials.

The attorneys are challenging Proposition 8, saying it denies equality to gay couples in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Arguing for the Proposition 8 campaign, lawyer Charles Cooper says the discussions were meant to be private.

Biden visits Georgia as more rain looms

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden on Friday pledged the federal government would help Georgia recover from the severe weather that swept through the Southeast, even as rain and the threat of more flooding was forecast for the weekend.

Biden toured the metro Atlanta area by helicopter and saw portions of the city still under water from the deluge earlier this week. At least 11 deaths in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee were blamed on the storms.