Obama spokesman Jay Carney steps down after three years
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – After more than three years of jousting with the White House press corps, President Barack Obama’s chief spokesman, Jay Carney, will step down next month to pursue yet-to-be-named opportunities, Obama announced on Friday.
House OKs plan to protect state medical marijuana laws
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. federal government would not be allowed to spend money to block states from implementing their own medical marijuana laws under legislation passed by the House of Representatives as more states legalize using it to treat…
NSA, Snowden clash over 2013 internal email release
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An email exchange released on Thursday shows Edward Snowden questioned the U.S. National Security Agency’s legal training programs, but provides no evidence the former contractor complained internally about vast NSA surveillance …
Judge to rule on Montana law requiring immigration checks for state services
(Reuters) – A judge is to decide whether a Montana law that requires proof of legal immigration status to seek state employment or services infringes on privacy and equal protection rights guaranteed by the Montana constitution, a state official said o…
Arizona to set up child welfare agency after abuse scandal
PHOENIX (Reuters) – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed legislation on Thursday to create a new child-welfare agency, providing $60 million in additional funding to improve a scandal-ridden system that was found last year to have ignored nearly 6,600 re…
U.S. Chamber of Commerce chief urges Cuba to extend reforms
HAVANA (Reuters) – The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday urged Cuba to speed up and extend market-style economic reforms, saying world investors would respond and that it might be the best path toward better relations with the United Sta…
Legacy at risk, Obama struggles to redefine foreign policy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s second term was supposed to be a crowning opportunity to make his mark on the world stage, but instead he’s leading an intense effort to redefine his foreign policy record – and the odds look stacked against him.
California lawmakers advance bill to mandate paid sick leave
SACRAMENTO Calif. (Reuters) – California businesses would have to offer paid sick leave to employees under a bill approved by the state Assembly on Thursday, and if the measure becomes law California would join Connecticut as the only U.S. states with …
Republican gay rights groups denied booths at party’s Texas convention
DALLAS (Reuters) – Two Republican gay rights groups said on Thursday they had been denied booths at the party’s upcoming Texas convention after being told their sexuality runs counter to the party’s views.
Bill to raise California minimum wage advances in state legislature
SACRAMENTO Calif. (Reuters) – Legislation to raise the minimum wage in California squeezed through the Democrat-controlled state Senate on Thursday, potentially adding to existing wage increases set to begin this summer.
