Abstinence only education money restored in 12-11 voteA Senate committee voted last week to restore $50 million a year in federal funding for abstinence-only education, which President Barack Obama has pushed to eliminate. The vote passed 12-11 by the Senate Finance Committee. Two Democrats — Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas — joined all 10 committee Republicans in voting “yes” on the measure by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. The measure would still have to pass the full House and Senate. Hatch said abstinence education had been shown to work, though Baucus disagreed. Obama proposed in his 2010 budget to direct money spent on abstinence-only education to broader teen pregnancy-reduction programs. An alternate measure offered by Baucus also passed. Baucus’ measure, which passed 14-9, would make money available for education on contraception and STIs, among other things, in addition to abstinence. Lawmakers will have to reconcile the two measures, both approved during debate on a sweeping health overhaul bill, as the legislation moves forward.

Midshipman pleads guilty to drug chargesThe U.S. Navy reports that a midshipman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import and distribute more than 150 lbs of marijuana from Mexico. U.S. Naval Academy student Juan D. Alonso was sentenced Tuesday to nine years and 10 months in a military prison. The Navy also says the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and armed robbery and weapons charges. Officials say Alonso was detained in June by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after trying to smuggle marijuana in a rented car at the San Ysidro port of entry near San Diego.

Man’s ear bitten off by girlfriend’s baby’s daddyA man from Providence RI allegedly bit off the ear of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend and caused an accident that led to his own 6-year-old son being run over. Dennis Erickson was ordered held Tuesday on $25,000 bail in Rhode Island District Court where he plead not guilty to a felony mayhem and simple domestic assault. According to police, the fight began Monday night when the 39-year-old saw the mother of his child out with 59-year-old Devine Umoh. Authorities said Erickson punched Umoh while he waiting in a car and bit off Umoh’s ear. As Umoh tried to drive away, the boy opened the vehicle’s door and fell under the tires. Police said the boy suffered broken bones, and Umoh’s ear was found at the scene and reattached later.

Man begs to be deportedFramingham police said a man walked into the station, claimed he was an illegal immigrant who had stolen another man’s identity, and asked to be deported to his homeland because he could not afford it himself. Police arrested 29-year-old Carlos Boc after he made his confession. Lt. Paul Shastany said Boc told police he wanted to return to Guatemala because he had no job or money and was worried about surviving the winter. He told police he was an illegal immigrant who had come to the U.S. 13 years ago. A not guilty plea was entered on Boc’s behalf Monday at his arraignment in Framingham District Court on charges including identity fraud.