Progress reported in fighting Arizona blaze as western fires rage
PHOENIX (Reuters) – Firefighters battling a major wildfire in northwestern Arizona on Monday reported progress in containing the blaze that forced people out of about 1,000 homes and charred about 6,100 acres (2,468 hectares).
Cutting terms for some violent crimes key to easing U.S. mass incarceration: analysis
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Mass incarceration, a problem that President Barack Obama and nearly all 2016 White House hopefuls agree must be tackled, can only be substantially reduced by easing punishments for some violent criminals, according to an analysis …
Charges filed against Washington Post reporter who covered 2014 Ferguson protests
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Washington Post reporter arrested last year while covering protests in Ferguson, Missouri, following the police shooting of an unarmed black teenager has been charged with trespassing and interfering with a police officer, the …
State of emergency called in Ferguson after gunfire mars protests
FERGUSON, Mo. (Reuters) – Authorities declared a state of emergency in Ferguson, Missouri, on Monday to prevent a repeat of the violence that erupted during protests overnight to mark the police shooting of an unarmed black man one year ago that ignite…
Chicago public schools to lay off 1,500 teachers and staff
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chicago Public Schools on Monday began notifying nearly 1,500 teachers and support staff who are being fired amid a previously announced, $200 million budget cut and a shift in student enrollment.
California ballot measures seek to ease Bay area gridlock
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Transportation advocates want to ask voters in several northern California counties to decide whether the region should boost sales taxes to fund $500 million a year in road and rail improvements in what would be the first reg…
Ohio high court advises judges not to refuse to perform gay marriages
CLEVELAND (Reuters) – Judges in Ohio should not refuse to perform same-sex marriages based on personal or religious beliefs, the state’s Supreme Court said in an informal, nonbinding opinion released on Monday.
Oklahoma judge strikes down law limiting use of abortion-inducing pills
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) – An Oklahoma judge struck down on Monday a law aimed at limiting the use of abortion-inducing drugs, saying the measure was unconstitutional because it did not apply to other medication.
California man pleads guilty to bid to support Islamic State
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A 21-year-old Southern California man who prosecutors say sought to travel to Syria last year in a bid to join Islamic State fighters pleaded guilty on Monday to federal charges.
Seattle fire crew rescues woman stuck in charity donation box
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Firefighters in Seattle managed to free a woman who became stuck inside a charity donation box as she searched for clothing overnight, authorities said on Monday.
