Death toll rises to seven in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains fires
(Reuters) – The death toll from wildfires blazing in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee rose to seven on Wednesday even as drenching rains helped firefighters suppress flames that have left whole neighborhoods in ruins.
Abortion rights advocates challenge restrictions in three U.S. states
(Reuters) – Abortion rights advocates on Wednesday challenged laws restricting the procedures in three states, an aggressive push following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a Texas law requiring abortions to be performed in surgical centers…
Ex-South Carolina police officer’s murder trial goes to jury
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) – A white South Carolina police officer committed a crime when he shot a fleeing black motorist last year, prosecutors argued at his murder trial on Wednesday, while defense attorneys said the shocking video of the killing di…
California seeks long-term water savings as drought lingers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) – California water regulators on Wednesday recommended tighter oversight of agricultural irrigation and a permanent ban on over-watering urban lawns, a first step toward developing a long-term conservation plan amid ongoing…
Ohio State attacker may have been inspired by overseas militants, FBI says
(Reuters) – A Somali immigrant who injured 11 people in a car and knife attack at Ohio State University may have been inspired by Islamic State and the late al Qaeda-linked cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, an FBI official said on Wednesday.
Award for Penn State whistleblower in Sandusky scandal rises to $12 million
(Reuters) – A Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday awarded $5 million to a former Penn State University assistant football coach who implicated Jerry Sandusky in the sexual assault of young boys, bringing to more than $12 million the amount owed to the form…
U.S. veterans to form human shield at Dakota pipeline protest
CANNON BALL, N.D. (Reuters) – More than 2,000 U.S. military veterans plan to form a human shield to protect protesters of a pipeline project near a Native American reservation in North Dakota, organizers said, just ahead of a federal deadline for activ…
Levi’s CEO asks shoppers to leave their guns at home
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The chief executive of the Levi Strauss & Co jeans company waded into the U.S. gun control debate on Wednesday, with an open letter asking customers not to bring their firearms into its stores because doing so could make employees and other shoppers uncomfortable.
Exclusive: Board members selected to oversee Amtrak’s $24 billion Gateway project
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The government corporation charged with overseeing Amtrak’s $24 billion Gateway rail project between New York and New Jersey has filled out its governing board, sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
Missing Colorado mother, two small sons found dead inside family minivan
DENVER (Reuters) – A Colorado mother and her two small sons who were reported missing after she failed to return home after picking them up at a local school were found dead inside the family’s minivan on Wednesday morning, police said.
