Washington state must fix salmon-blocking pipes: appeals court
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Washington state must repair road culverts that are blocking salmon from swimming to spawning areas because the pipes violate fishing rights protected by tribal treaties, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.
Illinois school funding battle looms amid budget progress
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner expressed optimism on Monday that the financially struggling state could begin fiscal year 2017 on Friday with a temporary budget in place to fund essential services.
U.S. interest in U.K. travel soars after Brexit
(Reuters) – Several online travel sites have seen a jump in queries from Americans about travel to the United Kingdom since it voted to leave the European Union, a sign so-called “Brexit” and the resulting drop in the value of the pound currency may sp…
Justice Dept. mandates ‘implicit bias’ training for agents, lawyers
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department announced on Monday that more than 33,000 federal agents and prosecutors will receive training aimed at preventing unconscious bias from influencing their law enforcement decisions.
Mississippi clerks cannot claim religious exception to gay marriage: judge
(Reuters) – A federal judge on Monday ruled that clerks in Mississippi may not recuse themselves from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples based on religious beliefs, despite a bill passed by the state legislature intended to carve out that excepti…
Two dead after shooting in western Oregon, suspected gunman captured
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Two people were killed and two others were injured in a shooting on Monday in western Oregon, and the suspected gunman was captured by state police less than two hours later near Portland, a sheriff’s office said.
Jack Lew urges Senate to act on Puerto Rico debt
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on Monday called on the Senate to take immediate action this week to address Puerto Rico’s $70 billion debt crisis before the critical July 1 deadline for the island territory’s next debt payments…
Texas ex-tycoon Wyly ordered to pay $1.1 billion for tax fraud
(Reuters) – A federal bankruptcy judge in Texas on Monday ordered former billionaire Sam Wyly to pay $1.11 billion in back taxes, interest and penalties after finding he committed tax fraud by shielding much of his family’s wealth in offshore trusts.
New York energy investor pleads guilty to $45 million tax scheme
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New York energy investor pleaded guilty on Monday to charges that he engaged in a years-long scheme to avoid paying more than $45 million in income and other taxes stemming in part from his sale of an oil company.
Supreme Court toughens gun ban for domestic violence
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday expanded the types of domestic violence convictions that can trigger the loss of gun ownership rights in a ruling issued amid fierce debate about reducing firearms violence in America.
