North Carolina sued over gay marriage opt-out law
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Reuters) – A North Carolina law that allows government officials to refuse to perform same-sex marriages if they cite religious objections is unconstitutional and should be struck down, according to a federal lawsuit filed on Wedne…
U.S. officials say no threat posed by two missing Afghan trainees in Georgia
ATLANTA (Reuters) – A search for two military trainees from Afghanistan who failed to report for duty this week at a Georgia military base continued on Wednesday, as officials urged calm among area residents concerned over their whereabouts.
No charges for officer after run-in with fan at Ole Miss game
JACKSON, Miss. (Reuters) – A security officer who drew scrutiny by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after an altercation with a fan at a University of Mississippi football game last month will not face charges, his lawyer said.
El Nino investment options range from pest control to ski resorts
NEW YORK/CHICAGO (Reuters) – As the El Niño weather phenomenon makes the U.S. Northeast warmer, the Midwest drier, and the South and the West wetter this winter, Eric Marshall, portfolio manager of the $2 billion Hodges Small Cap fund, is not one of those people who just talks about the weather. He’s doing something about it.
Illinois man pleads guilty in plot to attack military base
CHICAGO (Reuters) – An Illinois man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to plotting with his cousin, a National Guard member, to attack an Illinois military installation as part of a conspiracy to support Islamic State, a U.S. prosecutor’s spokesman said.
Defense focuses on father-son bond in ex-N.Y. Senate leader’s extortion trial
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Former New York state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is guilty only of caring about his son, his defense lawyer told jurors on Wednesday, as Skelos’ federal corruption trial drew to a close.
Ohio man charged in soliciting murder of U.S. military members
CLEVELAND (Reuters) – A 25-year-old Ohio man has been indicted on multiple federal charges for posting the names and addresses of United States military members on social media sites and calling for their deaths, officials said on Wednesday.
California shooters spoke of jihad as early as late 2013: FBI director
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The couple who killed 14 people in San Bernardino last week were radicalized before they met online and spoke of jihad and martyrdom to each other as early as late 2013, FBI director James Comey said on Wednesday.
United Airlines to serve free snacks in economy class
(Reuters) – United Airlines on Wednesday said it will offer free snacks on all flights starting February 2016, a departure for an industry that has moved toward charging for extra services.
Alabama faces discrimination probe for drivers license office cuts
(Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Transportation said on Wednesday it is investigating whether Alabama’s decision to cut back services at nearly three dozen drivers license offices in rural communities discriminated against black residents.
