U.S. executions hit 25-year low as capital punishment wanes: study
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – The number of U.S. executions fell to a quarter-century low in 2016 as new death sentences plummeted, indicating capital punishment is on the decline, a study released on Wednesday showed.
Colorado girl, 17, pleads guilty to conspiracy in school attack plot
DENVER (Reuters) – One of two teenage girls accused of plotting a Columbine-like assault on their Colorado high school last year pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiracy and solicitation to commit first-degree murder, a prosecutor said.
Oklahoma budget shortfall nearly $900 million: report
(Reuters) – Oklahoma’s budget deficit will be $868 million next year, higher than recent estimates as sustained low oil prices, tax cuts and corporate tax credits continue to weigh on the state’s finances, the Oklahoman newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Black Los Angeles deputy chief chosen to head San Francisco police
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – A black deputy police chief from Los Angeles was selected on Tuesday to head up the San Francisco Police Department, months after the city’s last police chief was pushed out amid protests over police killings of African-Americ…
Obama bans new oil, gas drilling off Alaska, part of Atlantic coast
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday banned new oil and gas drilling in federal waters in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, in a push to leave his stamp on the environment before Republican Donald Trump takes office next month.
Ford shutting Kansas City plant for a week, GM lays off shift in Detroit
DETROIT (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co will close its Kansas City, Missouri pickup truck and van plant for a week in early January to match production and demand, the automaker said on Tuesday.
Obama plans up to 18 more Guantanamo prisoner transfers before leaving office: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama plans to transfer as many as 18 more prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay military prison before leaving office, a source close to the matter said, further shrinking the inmate population but still far short o…
Accused bomber Rahimi pleads not guilty to New Jersey charges
ELIZABETH, N.J. (Reuters) – An Afghan-born U.S. citizen accused of planting bombs in New York and New Jersey pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to New Jersey state charges, including attempted murder of police officers wounded in a shootout upon his arrest….
Former Flint emergency managers, others charged in water crisis
FLINT, Mich. (Reuters) – Michigan prosecutors on Tuesday charged four former government officials in Flint, including two city emergency managers, with conspiring to violate safety rules in connection with the city’s water crisis that exposed residents…
U.S. probes 1 million Fiat Chrysler vehicles for roll-away crashes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. vehicle safety officials said on Tuesday they have launched an investigation into about a million Fiat Chrysler Ram pickup trucks and SUVs prompted by complaints by some owners that the vehicles rolled away and crashed after…
