Californians cut water use in May, ahead of mandatory reductions
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – California residents, in a boost for efforts to deal with a devastating four-year drought, cut water use by nearly 29 percent in May to score the biggest reduction since the state governor in early 2014 called for voluntary cutb…
Washington state farmworker yelled ‘kill me’ before he was shot: officer
SEATTLE (Reuters) – One of three police officers who shot dead a rock-throwing Mexican farmworker in Washington state earlier this year told investigators the man, after being repeatedly ordered to drop softball-sized rocks, yelled “No, kill me … kil…
U.S. Episcopalians vote to let gay couples wed in churches
SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) – The U.S. Episcopal Church voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to let gay couples wed in the denomination’s religious ceremonies, reinforcing its support for same-sex nuptials days after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marr…
California bill would classify pro sports cheerleaders employees
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – A bill currently before California Governor Jerry Brown would make clear that cheerleaders for state-based professional sports teams are employees, following high-profile lawsuits alleging labor violations in the state and els…
Man suspected of starting pharmacy fire during Baltimore riots is arrested
(Reuters) – A man suspected of torching a CVS Health Corp pharmacy in Baltimore that became a symbol of the April rioting in the city was arrested on Wednesday, authorities said.
NYC St. Patrick’s Parade to target LGBT community with new leaders
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Leaders of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade named two new leaders in a move aimed at including more gay and lesbian groups, which until this year had been barred from taking part.
Colorado movie gunman researched psychosis, military tactics online
DENVER (Reuters) – Colorado movie massacre gunman James Holmes researched hallucinations and mental illness in the weeks ahead of the rampage that killed 12 people, as well as bomb-making and terrorism manuals, jurors at his murder trial heard on Wedne…
Detroit judge releases dying drug courier, 91, from prison early
(Reuters) – A 91-year-old man sentenced in Detroit to three years in federal prison after admitting to being a drug mule has been released early because he is dying, according to U.S. District Court records unsealed on Wednesday.
In America’s South, black church fires fan racial fears
(Reuters) – Some were deliberately lit. Others were caused by an electrical fault or lightning. But regardless of the origins, a spike in fires at black churches is fraying nerves at a time of heightened racial tensions across the United States.
Attorneys seek to challenge California’s new school vaccination law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) – Opponents of California’s new law tightening school vaccination rules said on Wednesday they had put together a team of attorneys to challenge the measure, which was prompted by a measles outbreak at Disneyland that sicke…
