State’s rebate program for green car buyers shifts gears March 29
California’s rebate program for electric vehicles will soon cut off higher-income green car buyers. The Sacramento Bee reports that the program is implementing an income cap starting on March 29. Single tax filers who earn $250,000 will not qualify for rebates on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The income cap rises to $340,000 for head-of-household filers and $500,000 for joint filers. Meanwhile, low- and moderate-income residents will be eligible for an additional $1500 in rebates. California Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols says that increase will help to ensure that more drivers in communities most impacted by air pollution can benefit from clean vehicles.（The Sacramento Bee）
Florida man tries to buy $60,000 BMW with food stamps, steals car after being denied
A Florida man who tried to purchase a speedy BMW SUV with his Electronic Benefits Transfer （EBT）card and a credit card later decided to steal the car — but was caught when he ran out of gas, police said. Nicholas Jackson, 36, showed up to a Pompano Beach dealership with little in the way of currency and was sent away, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said. But the next day, the business was burglarized, and the owner found the $60,000 BMW X-6 and 60 sets of keys missing, police said. Cops later caught up to Jackson in Palm City, some 70 miles north of Pompano, where authorities say he drove until the car ran out of gas. They also found the BMW with the gas tank on empty. Jackson got a ride to the Martin County Jail, where he’s charged with grand theft auto and held on $20,000 bond. （NY Daily News）
President Obama and the First Family Depart for Historic Visit to Cuba
President Obama and the first family have departed the U.S. for Cuba, for the first visit to the island nation by a sitting U.S. president in nearly 90 years. The visit comes just 15 months after the announcement that the U.S. and Cuba would be restoring diplomatic ties. President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama, will spend two and a half days in Cuba on an official state visit which will include a bilateral meeting with President Raul Castro. Obama will address the Cuban people in a speech Tuesday and will also attend a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National team.（ABC News）
