Arrested official disciplined earlier

The Department of Homeland Security official arrested Tuesday on charges of seducing a minor over the Internet faced disciplinary action at his previous workplace, Time magazine’s Washington bureau, for misusing company equipment to download pornography, friends and former colleagues said.

Federal officials would not say whether the incident came to the attention of federal investigators who conducted a background check in 2004 on Brian J. Doyle.

Originally hired as a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration in 2002, Doyle was detailed to Homeland Security the next year and became deputy press secretary cleared to handle top-secret material in November 2005.

Rep. Peter T. King, R-N.Y., who has launched a congressional investigation into Homeland Security’s hiring practices and security protocols, said Doyle’s conduct should have been uncovered.

Washington

FEMA director gets job permanently

With hurricane season just two months away, President Bush on Thursday nominated the acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be permanent head of the nation’s disaster response agency.

R. David Paulison, a 30-year firefighter, took over at FEMA in September, when Bush named him to replace Michael Brown.

Charleston, W.Va.

Byrd says he will continue campaign

In his first public comments since the death of his wife of nearly 69 years, Sen. Robert C. Byrd pledged Thursday to continue his campaign for a record ninth term.

“I’m doing exactly what Erma would want,” the 88-year-old Democrat said. Erma Ora James Byrd died March 25 at age 88.

Supporters were worried about the impact of his wife’s death on the senator, whose own health has been a concern. Byrd has had trembling in his hands for several years, which he dismisses as a “cosmetic malady.”

Nantucket, Mass.

Tourist town wants to ban chain stores

Nantucket joined several other historic tourist towns across the country in approving a measure that would ban chain stores from the island’s downtown.

The rule would bar any new chains with more than 14 outlets that have standardized menus, trademarks, uniforms or other homogeneous decor from opening downtown. The ban would not affect gas stations, grocery stores, banks and other service providers.

The measure passed by a unanimous vote Tuesday but still needs to be approved by the state Attorney General’s office.