original page, stripped down to the problem table (pattern: auto width table with first row has specified width and colspan=2, second row has two specified width columns)

Cons For Pokemon "They're Pokemon card sharks out there. This is worse than the Cabbage Patch Kid craze because now it's the kids who are actually fighting each other instead of just the parents." -- Children are doing anything, including breaking the law, to get their grubby hands on some trading cards, observe police.
ASDF | Sat., Dec 11, 1999 Gay Union Kibosh Hawaii Supreme Court slams the door on same-sex marriages. All eyes look to Vermont.

same table, but less content (text) in the first cell ...

Cons For Pokemon "They're Pokemon card sharks out there. This is
ASDF | Sat., Dec 11, 1999 Gay Union Kibosh Hawaii Supreme Court slams the door on same-sex marriages. All eyes look to Vermont.