Houston suburbs lift travel restrictions imposed after petrochemical fire
Two Houston-area cities told residents to stay indoors and closed schools on Thursday due to air pollution from a petrochemical plant fire, then lifted the travel restrictions after airborne levels of the chemicals abated.
Wisconsin judge blocks Republican-backed laws curbing Democratic governor’s powers
A Wisconsin judge on Thursday blocked legislation passed by Republican lawmakers during a December lame-duck session intended to curb the powers of newly elected Democratic Governor Tony Evers, calling the measures unconstitutionally approved.
Pastor convicted of hacking, insider trading gets five years prison: NY judge
A former hedge fund manager who also worked as a pastor was sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison after being convicted of insider trading on non-public corporate press releases stolen by computer hackers.
Floods threaten more states in rain-soaked U.S. Midwest
As icy floodwaters fed by rains and melting snow receded in Nebraska and Iowa, leaving destroyed homes, drowned cattle and swamped farmland, Midwestern states downstream on Thursday braced for a relentless surge along the Missouri River, with more rain…
Floods threaten more states in deluged U.S. Midwest
As icy floodwaters fed by rains and melting snow receded in Nebraska and Iowa, leaving destroyed homes, drowned cattle and swamped farmland, Midwestern states downstream on Thursday braced for a relentless surge along the Missouri River, with more rain…
Mississippi governor signs ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban
Mississippi’s Republican governor signed one of America’s strictest abortion bills on Thursday banning women from obtaining an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can often occur before a woman even realizes she is pregnant.
U.S. Powerball jackpot soars to $625 million ahead of Saturday’s drawing
The U.S. Powerball jackpot leaped to at least $645 million on Thursday ahead of its second drawing after no one claimed the winning numbers announced on Wednesday, when the cash prize was at $550 million, according to lottery officials.
Kentucky launches probe into drug overcharges by pharmacy benefit managers
Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear said on Thursday he had launched an investigation into allegations that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) had overcharged state health insurance programs for drugs and discriminated against independent pharmacies.
More floodwaters rising in storm-ravaged U.S. Midwest
As icy, lethal floodwaters fed by rains and melting snow recede in Nebraska and Iowa, leaving destroyed homes, drowned cattle and swamped farmland, Midwest states downstream were set on Thursday for a relentless surge of the Missouri River.
FBI not properly assessing potential U.S. maritime terrorism threats: report
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is not taking appropriate steps to review and assess potential maritime terrorism risks facing U.S. sea ports, the Justice Department’s internal watchdog has found.
