Maine governor rejects latest budget deal, ready for shutdown
(Reuters) – Maine Governor Paul LePage said on Friday he would reject the latest budget deal by a bipartisan group of legislators, warning that most of the state government would shut down without more spending cuts.
Small plane crashes on California freeway, at least two hurt
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A small plane crash-landed on a freeway in Orange County, California, on Friday morning, critically injuring two people on board and snarling traffic on a major north-south artery through the area, authorities said.
Minneapolis approves gradual minimum wage hike to $15 an hour
(Reuters) – The Minneapolis City Council approved a measure on Friday requiring large companies to pay workers least at $15 an hour by 2022, following moves by other liberal-leaning U.S. cities to raise the minimum wage.
Top Texas court sides against same-sex couple marriage benefits
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – The Texas Supreme Court ruled on Friday that same-sex couples are not necessarily entitled to government-dispensed spousal benefits, dealing a blow to backers of marriage equality, who have vowed to fight the decision.
United Launch Alliance beats SpaceX to win Air Force launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla () Reuters – – United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co , for the first time beat Elon Musk’s SpaceX in competition for an Air Force satellite launch, both launch companies said on Friday.
Trump to Senate Republicans: kill Obamacare now, replace later
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump urged Republican senators in a tweet on Friday to repeal Obamacare immediately if they cannot agree on a new plan to replace it, muddying the waters as congressional leaders struggle for consensus on h…
Trump says he is sending federal help to fight Chicago crime
CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Friday he was sending federal help to fight crime in Chicago that has reached “epidemic” proportions.
Chicago police’s no-notes counseling policy raises concerns
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Chicago Police Department’s approach to mental health has upset critics who argue a policy barring counselors from taking notes and keeping records of sessions with officers is counterproductive and could be harmful to the cops….
Firefighters gain ground on fierce Arizona wildfire
(Reuters) – Officials hope to reopen a portion of a major roadway and allow more residents to head home on Friday in central Arizona where firefighters have gained significant ground against a fierce, six-day-old wildfire that forced thousands to evacu…
Two workers killed, four injured at Tampa-area power plant
(Reuters) – Two workers were killed and four injured in a mishap while they were performing routine maintenance on a tank at a Tampa-area coal power plant on Thursday, rescue and company officials said.
