By Marni Pyke mpyke@@dailyherald.com Air traffic controllers upped the ante Thursday in an ongoing contract dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration, accusing the government of callous disregard for safety.

WASHINGTON _ The Senate grounded the airline safety bill this week, a victim of political infighting and partisan wrangling. "The most frustrating week I have spent in the Senate in my 24 years here," Democratic Sen.

By MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN WASHINGTON - Experienced air traffic controllers are retiring faster this year than the government projected and their union said Wednesday the remaining veterans can no longer safely handle peak volumes in Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Southern California.

By Art Marroquin A shortage in certified air traffic controllers has resulted in a "staffing emergency" at airports in Southern California, New York, Atlanta and Chicago, the head of the controllers union said Thursday.

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON - Experienced air traffic controllers are retiring faster this year than the government projected and their union said Wednesday the remaining veterans can no longer safely handle peak volumes in Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Southern California.