Washington state sues U.S. over toxic vapors at nuclear waste site
SEATTLE (Reuters) – The U.S. government has failed to adequately safeguard crews involved in the decades-long cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state, leaving workers sickened by exposure to toxic vapors, the state said in a laws…
Florida officials propose bear hunt limit of 320 kills
ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) – Florida would allow hunters to kill up to a total of 320 bears in October during the state’s first bear hunt season in 20 years, according to a recommendation from the state’s wildlife agency presented at a public hearing on Wednesday.
NASA vehicles maintenance contractors in federal fraud lawsuit
ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) – Two contractors hired to manage NASA’s vehicle fleet at the Kennedy Space Center defrauded the agency of at least $387,000 for unnecessary tire replacements, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday by federal prosecutors in Flo…
Baltimore judge: Charges against police in Gray case can go forward
BALTIMORE (Reuters) – A judge on Wednesday rejected defense motions to drop charges against six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of a black man from an injury in custody, clearing the way for scheduled trial next month.
U.S. appeals court asked to halt NSA phone spying program
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court appeared reluctant on Wednesday to put an immediate halt to the federal government’s collection of millions of Americans’ phone records, with the controversial spy program set to expire in November.
Backlogged rape kits in Detroit head for further investigation
DETROIT (Reuters) – Most of the 11,000 rape-evidence kits left languishing in a Detroit warehouse have been analyzed since they turned up several years ago, with DNA matches leading to further investigation in 35 states, Michigan’s governor said on Wed…
Man charged in connection to 1994 theft of O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A man found in possession of O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy, which disappeared from the University of Southern California in 1994, has been charged with receiving stolen property, Los Angeles prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Manhunt widens for suspects in Illinois policeman’s death
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Hundreds of police on Wednesday widened the search for three suspects in the fatal shooting of a 30-year veteran policeman in northern Illinois amid the closure of local schools and preparations for a vigil for the slain officer.
Body of missing hiker found in Yosemite National Park
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The body of a hiker who went missing in Yosemite National Park three weeks ago has been found, a park spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
U.S. Army to open elite Ranger School to all genders
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Army said on Wednesday it would open its elite Ranger School to all soldiers regardless of gender, after two women made history last month by becoming the first to pass the grueling leadership course.