California reports drop in hate crimes
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) – The number of hate crimes committed in California decreased in 2014 by more than 12 percent, and complaints of hate crimes have dropped in half over the past 10 years, according to data released Thursday by the state.
U.S. probe sees no links among black church fires in South
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Federal law enforcement officials have found no links among any of several recent fires at African American churches in the U.S. South and have determined that two were started by natural causes and one was due to an electrical f…
After nearly closing, Virginia’s Sweet Briar names new president
RICHMOND, Va. (Reuters) – Sweet Briar College named a new president on Thursday in what supporters hope will be a new beginning for the private Virginia women’s college that was on the verge of closing.
Mormon Church makes first donation to Utah gay youth program
SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) – The Mormon Church has made its first-ever donation to the Utah Pride Center, a Salt Lake City organization that works with poor and homeless gay young people, in what center officials said on Thursday was a significant moment…
Washington state reports first U.S. measles death in 12 years
SEATTLE (Reuters) – A previously undetected measles infection was found by an autopsy to be the underlying cause of a Washington state woman’s death this spring, marking the first known U.S. fatality from the disease in 12 years, public health official…
Anonymous donors raise $3 million for scholarships after U.S. church shooting
(Reuters) – Anonymous donors have given more than $3 million to fund college scholarships for the community around the historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina where nine people were slain last month, local leaders said on Thursday.
Suspect in pharmacy fire during Baltimore riots charged with arson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A man who prosecutors allege torched a drugstore that came to symbolize the rioting in Baltimore in April was charged on Thursday with federal arson violations that carry the possibility of a 20-year prison sentence.
Kentucky couples sue for marriage licenses after gay marriage ruling
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Reuters) – Eight people, including two same-sex couples, on Thursday sued an eastern Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to anyone following last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage, the Ke…
San Francisco creates short-term rental agency
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee announced the creation of a new agency on Thursday to oversee short-term rentals like those arranged by Airbnb, which matches people wishing to rent out all or part of their homes to temporary guests…
Connecticut to conduct DNA tests in deciding on retrying disabled man
HARTFORD, Conn. (Reuters) – Connecticut prosecutors can conduct further genetic testing before deciding whether to retry a mentally disabled man who spent a quarter century in prison until his conviction for rape and murder was overturned, a judge rule…
