Southern U.S. states have closed 1,200 polling places in recent years: rights group
States across the American South have closed nearly 1,200 polling places since the Supreme Court weakened a landmark voting-discrimination law in 2013, according to a report released by a civil-rights group on Tuesday.
Bankrupt Philadelphia refiner paid executives millions in bonuses just after fire: documents
Executives of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery were paid roughly $4.5 million in retention bonuses after a summer fire that led to the plant’s closure and before the company filed for bankruptcy a few weeks later, court documents show.
Seven U.S. states, District of Columbia sue to block SEC rule change
Seven U.S. states and the District of Columbia on Monday sued to block rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would allow brokers to recommend products that benefit them as long as they disclose the conflict.
Criminal investigation opens into fire aboard California dive boat: source
Federal authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into the fire on a California dive boat that killed 34 people in one of the state’s worst maritime disasters, a law enforcement source said on Monday.
Chinese woman in Mar-a-Lago trespassing case: ‘I don’t know why I’m here’
A Chinese national arrested for bluffing her way onto U.S. President Donald Trump’s Florida resort went on trial acting as her own attorney on Monday, telling jurors in her brief opening statement, “I don’t believe I did anything wrong.”
PG&E proposes reorganization plan with $17.9 billion for wildfire claims
California power provider PG&E Corp on Monday unveiled the outlines of a reorganization plan that will pay $17.9 billion for claims stemming from the wildfires that pushed it to seek bankruptcy protection.
U.S. House panel to review DOJ automaker antitrust probe
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee plans to hold hearings and seek documents into the Justice Department’s decision to open an antitrust investigation into four major automakers’ voluntary agreement with California to adopt compromise vehicle emissions…
Plame, Valerie Plame: former CIA agent takes fast track in campaign video
Valerie Plame, the former U.S. intelligence officer whose cover was blown by officials in the administration of President George W. Bush during the lead-up to the Iraq war, released a congressional campaign video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICW-dGD1M18&feature=youtu.be on Monday that was about as glossy as any Hollywood spy movie.
Sarah Palin’s husband seeks divorce, Alaska court filing suggests
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, and her husband, Todd, appear headed for divorce after more than 30 years of marriage, state court records showed.
Democrats press for stricter U.S. gun-sale checks, Trump non-committal
Democrats in the U.S. Congress pledged on Monday to intensify pressure for stricter gun-sale background check legislation, citing strong public backing for the measure, but received no sign of support yet from President Donald Trump.
