Shutdown bill has items for states, fed agencies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Here’s a little secret about the bill Congress has approved ending the partial government shutdown and preventing a possible federal default: It’s got goodies for some states and federal agencies too.

There’s language allowing more spending for upgrading a lock in the Ohio River between Illinois and Kentucky; money to help Colorado rebuild roads washed away by last month’s catastrophic floods; extra money to help the Veterans Affairs Department whittle down a backlog of disabilities claims; and permission for the Pentagon to keep helping African nations hunt a notorious warlord.