Illinois bill expands abortion coverage, faces governor’s veto
CHICAGO (Reuters) – An Illinois bill that expands state-funded coverage of abortions for low-income residents and state employees passed the Democratic-controlled Senate on Wednesday but faces a likely veto by the state’s Republican governor.
Wife of ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman killed in car wreck
(Reuters) – ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman’s wife of 34 years was killed in a car crash in the couple’s home state of Connecticut, authorities said on Wednesday.
New York to allow self-driving vehicle testing: governor
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that the state will allow testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads, potentially leaving perplexed New Yorkers wondering who to flip off when they jaywalk in front of a car with…
Vermont legislature approves marijuana legalization bill
BOSTON (Reuters) – Vermont lawmakers on Wednesday approved a measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana, which if not vetoed by the governor would make the state the ninth to legalize the drug and the first to do so by legislation rather than ba…
Dakota Access Pipeline spilled oil 84 gallons of oil in South Dakota
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Dakota Access Pipeline leaked 84 gallons of crude oil at a pump station in South Dakota last month, according to state documents, just weeks before the pipeline is set to start commercial service.
Texas House Oks adoption agencies barring LGBT families
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Adoption agencies in Texas would be able to reject foster parents on religious grounds under a bill approved by the state’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives that critics say discriminates against LGBT Texans and non-Christians.
ACLU sues New Hampshire for rejecting hundreds of absentee ballots
(Reuters) – The American Civil Liberties Union sued New Hampshire on Wednesday after the state invalidated the absentee ballots of hundreds of voters in the November 2016 election, including a blind woman, because of mismatched signatures, the civil ri…
California Controller warns that economic downturn may be near
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – California’s state tax collections in April fell short of expectations, a sign that the state may be headed toward an economic downturn, State Controller Betty Yee warned on Wednesday.
Trump claims absolute immunity from D.C. wine bar’s lawsuit
(Reuters) – Lawyers for Donald Trump on Wednesday said the U.S. president has “absolute immunity” from a lawsuit by owners of the Cork Wine Bar in Washington, D.C., who claim that his ownership of a nearby hotel constitutes unfair competition.
Chicago mayor weighs options to fill widening gap in school budget
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A gap in Chicago’s public school system budget is likely to grow more than 4-1/2 times beyond a previous estimate and Mayor Rahm Emanuel is considering a property tax increase or additional borrowing among options to close it, a cit…
