In some U.S. churches, guns are the answer to a prayer
JACKSON, Mich. (Reuters) – The Sunday service was winding down, but before it ended, Bishop Ira Combs led the congregation of 300 at the Greater Bible Way Temple in prayer. The shootings that killed nine people in a Charleston church could not happen h…
Colorado movie rampage jurors to hear from expert on psychosis
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (Reuters) – Calling into question his note-taking, qualifications and conclusions about gunman James Holmes, the lead prosecutor in Colorado’s movie massacre trial put the defense’s first expert witness through a withering cross-exami…
Idaho refugee center targeted by closure campaign over extremism fears
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – A long-standing refugee welcoming center in conservative Idaho has found itself at the center of a campaign by adversaries seeking to force it closed, citing fears that the immigrants it hosts could include Islamist extremists…
Chicago Public Schools make full pension payment by deadline
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) made its full teachers’ pension payment on Tuesday ahead of a midnight deadline, saying the move will require $200 million in spending cuts, according to a school official.
Milwaukee bus union members to hold three-day work stoppage
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) – Bus drivers and mechanics in Milwaukee will take part in a three-day work stoppage starting on Wednesday morning after negotiations with transit system officials stalled over a new labor contract, union officials said on Tuesday.
Lead lawmaker’s bill would address Chicago school pension shortfall
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois Senate President John Cullerton on Tuesday proposed legislation aimed at providing pension funding relief for the Chicago Public Schools, while meeting Governor Bruce Rauner’s call for a local property tax freeze.
Texas county will issue same-sex marriage licenses, reversing earlier stance
DALLAS (Reuters) – A Texas county clerk said on Tuesday her office will issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, reversing a previous decision that was based on religious objections.
New Hawaii law legalizes traditional ‘clean burial’ practice
HONOLULU (Reuters) – In Hawaii, the dead can now be put to rest following an ancient Hawaiian custom called “clean burial” in which only a person’s bones are buried, under a new law signed by Governor David Ige on Tuesday.
Drummer for Journey in jail on rape charges in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) – Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was in jail in Oregon on Tuesday on charges of rape and sexual assault, court officials said.
Oklahoma judge orders grand jury probe of Tulsa sheriff’s office
TULSA, Okla. (Reuters) – An Oklahoma judge on Tuesday ordered a grand jury investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, which has been under scrutiny since a white reserve sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a black suspect in April.
