New Orleans removes last of four statues linked to pro-slavery era
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Crews in New Orleans on Friday used a crane to lift a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee off its pedestal as the city removed the last of four monuments its leaders see as racially offensive.
Ex-Tennessee teacher indicted on two charges in suspected abduction
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Reuters) – A former Tennessee school teacher accused of abducting a 15-year-old student in a cross-country journey that ended with his arrest in California was indicted on Thursday by a federal grand jury on two felony counts.
Oregon enacts law to ease transgender changes in birth records
(Reuters) – Oregon on Thursday became the second U.S. state, after California, to enact legislation easing the process for transgender individuals to amend their birth records, allowing name and gender-identification changes without going to court.
U.S. judge allows first transgender person to sue under disability law
(Reuters) – A U.S. judge ruled on Thursday that a transgender woman could move forward with a sex discrimination lawsuit against her employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act, even though it explicitly excludes transgender people from protecti…
Nevada likely to become second state to require police body cameras
(Reuters) – Police officers in the state of Nevada may soon be required to wear body cameras under a measure that was sent on Thursday to Governor Brian Sandoval for his signature.
Puerto Rican activist receives hero’s welcome in Chicago return
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Hundreds of supporters gathered in Chicago on Thursday to celebrate a Puerto Rican activist who was freed from prison after serving over three decades behind bars for his involvement with a nationalist group that carried out more than 100 bombings in the 1970s and 1980s.
Ex-U.S. Secret Service officer gets 20 years for sexting while on duty
(Reuters) – A former Secret Service uniformed officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday for sending sexually explicit messages to minors, sometimes while on duty at the White House, the U.S. Justice Department said.
For Trump’s defenders, White House turmoil is politics as usual
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In Washington, the chatter about a deepening, Watergate-style crisis has engulfed the White House – and those conversations are echoed in big cities across the country and in a succession of headlines that seem to suggest almost …
Planned Parenthood to close four Iowa clinics after cuts
(Reuters) – Planned Parenthood said on Thursday it would shutter four of its 12 clinics in Iowa as a result of a measure backed by Republican Governor Terry Branstad that blocks public money for family planning services to abortion providers.
U.S. academic groups oppose Trump’s visa-vetting plans
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Dozens of American academic groups have taken a stance against a Trump administration proposal to toughen scrutiny of some U.S. visa applicants, saying it will have a chilling effect on international students studying in the Unit…
