Obama taps Joe Biden as VP running mate

8/19/2009

WASHINGTON Barack Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware late Friday night to be his vice presidential running mate, according to a Democratic official, balancing his ticket with an older congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues. Biden, 65, who has twice sought the White House, is a Catholic with blue-collar roots, a generally liberal voting record and a reputation as a long-winded orator. A text message with the announcement will be sent to Obama's supporters sometime Saturday morning. Both men are expected to appear at a rally later that day in Springfield, Illinois.

The University of Toledo announced Friday that it will be receiving a $1.13 million grant from NASA to build a solar panel testing and certification facility. The Lucas County Commissioners have also pledged to give $100,000 to the project, from the county s economic development fund. The facility will test the power, efficiency, and safety of solar panels from throughout the Midwest, and will be one of the few such facilities in the country.