Teacher ‘sick-out’ absences close dozens of Detroit schools
(Reuters) – Teachers calling in sick to protest dissatisfaction with school infrastructure closed about two-thirds of the Detroit Public Schools on Monday, school district and union officials said.
Court delays murder trial of officer in Freddie Gray death
BALTIMORE (Reuters) – A Maryland appeals court on Monday delayed the murder trial of a Baltimore police officer in the death of black detainee Freddie Gray until it can decide on whether a key witness should testify.
Hefner’s Playboy mansion listed for sale for $200 million
(Reuters) – The iconic Los Angeles mansion of Hugh Hefner, the founder of the Playboy empire, is being put up for sale for $200 million, Playboy Enterprises said, one of the highest asking prices for a private residence in the United States.
Back to school for children displaced by Los Angeles-area gas leak
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – In the latest disruption from the biggest methane gas leak in California history, nearly 2,000 Los Angeles children returning to class this week after winter break have been reassigned to schools outside the affected area over h…
Philadelphia police probe possible extremist ties in police shooting
(Reuters) – Philadelphia police said on Sunday they were seriously pursuing a tip that the man suspected of shooting and wounding a police officer had ties to a group with “radical beliefs.”
Mayor denounces rape of woman by five men in New York playground
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday denounced the rape of a woman by five men at a Brooklyn playground, pledging police would work to swiftly apprehend the suspects in “this vicious crime.”
Chicago names attorney to lead law department review
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A former U.S. attorney will conduct an independent review of the Chicago law department’s civil rights litigation division after a federal judge ruled that a city lawyer hid evidence in the fatal police shooting of a black man, offi…
At $1.3 billion, U.S. Powerball jackpot in world record territory
CHICAGO (Reuters) – With Powerball’s jackpot now at $1.3 billion and likely to surge higher by Wednesday’s drawing, the U.S. multi-state lottery is offering the world’s richest grand prize that could go to a single ticketholder, officials said on Sunda…
Oklahoma earthquakes raise calls for restrictions on energy firms
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) – Earthquakes in Oklahoma in the past week, including one of the strongest ever recorded in the state, have led to calls for the governor to make changes to oil and gas drilling regulations and reduce seismic activity scientists link to the energy industry.
Florida man charged with stealing $3.2 million from armored car company
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A Florida manager for armored car company Brinks was arrested in California on charges he stole $3.2 million in cash on New Year’s Day from the company’s Miami storage facility, U.S. authorities said on Sunday.
