U.S. Justice Dept. says Texas has fixed ‘discriminatory’ voter ID law
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Justice has asked a federal judge to halt further action against Texas for its voter identification law, saying a measure enacted last month by the Republican-controlled legislature fixed elements ruled …
Generic drug group sues to block Maryland price-gouging law
(Reuters) – The main U.S. trade group for generic pharmaceutical companies filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking to block a recently adopted Maryland law that lets the state attorney general sue generic drugmakers that sharply raise prices.
Illinois Capitol on lockdown ahead of final budget action
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois’ state Capitol building in Springfield was placed on lockdown on Thursday afternoon after a woman threw an unidentified white powder into the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor as well as in the House gallery, …
Minnesota governor proposes naming police fund after black motorist
(Reuters) – Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton on Thursday proposed naming a $12 million police training fund in honor of a black motorist who was fatally shot by police last year and whose dying moments were live-streamed on Facebook.
U.S. state prosecutors join push to ban pesticide chlorpyrifos
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Six state prosecutors are seeking to join a lawsuit to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos from use on U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables, according to court papers filed on Thursday.
Hawaii, Alaska contemplate coming into North Korean missile range
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii/WILLOW, Alaska (Reuters) – Disused military tunnels snake beneath the crater of Diamond Head, out of sight of the tourists lounging near the volcano on Waikiki Beach but very much on the mind of Gene Ward, a state representative fro…
U.S. official who confronted Trump on ethics resigning for new job
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, who clashed with President Donald Trump and his administration, said on Thursday he would resign before his five-year term ends in January to take a new job.
S&P puts Pennsylvania ratings on review for possible downgrades
NEW YORK (Reuters) – S&P Global Ratings placed Pennsylvania’s credit ratings on a watch list on Thursday for a possible downgrade due to budget concerns.
Tyson Foods defeats Ball Park hot dog legal appeal
(Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc and its Hillshire Brands unit on Thursday defeated an appeal by the maker of Parks’ sausages challenging their use of “Park’s Finest” to describe a high-end line of their Ball Park hot dogs.
U.S. private payrolls growth slows; jobless claims rise
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. private employers hired fewer workers than expected in June and applications for unemployment benefits last week increased for a third straight week, pointing to some loss of momentum in job growth as the labor market nears …
