Interim Highlights & Tidbits, Day 2

* Columbus Day brought dozens of striking nurses and their supports to the Capitol for a rally amid their dispute with Appalachian Regional Healthcare.

As The Associated Press reports, ARH is one of the region's largest health care providers and owns 7 hospitals in Kentucky and two in West Virginia. "About 630 nurses in both states walked off the job last week following the expiration of their contract," AP reports. " Since the strike began on Oct. 1, ARH has brought in replacement workers."

The Charleston Gazette and WOWK-TV were among those covering the rally.

* The Public Employees Insurance Agency told lawmakers Monday that the threat of a potential $8 billion (corrected figure; my bad. -ed.) funding gap has forced it to increase deductibles and add co-payments come July, The Gazette reports.

* The Division of Foresty faces questions from lawmakers after an audit uncovers a bevvy of accounting and record-keeping problems at the agency, AP reports.

* Public Broadcasting charts the progress, or possible lack thereof, shown by West Virginia's Medicaid programs since officials redesigned it to cut costs. With audio.

* Lawmakers also got an update on Gov. Joe Manchin's plan for statewide high-speed Internet access by 2010 _ but also questioned why he vetoed a bill they say could have aided that goal. AP has the story.