Human cause suspected in destructive Washington state grass fire
(Reuters) – Investigators suspect human activity, rather than lightning, sparked a grassland fire that has destroyed at least 29 homes near the eastern slopes of the Cascades in central Washington, officials said on Wednesday.
Michigan sets formal fiscal review of Detroit’s county
(Reuters) – Wayne County, home to Detroit, was under “probable financial stress,” the state of Michigan said on Wednesday and announced plans to start a formal fiscal review.
Maine lawmakers tighten foreclosure rules in win for consumers
AUGUSTA, Maine (Reuters) – Homeowners in Maine gained stronger protection against bank foreclosures under legislation approved late on Tuesday over the objections of some of the United States’ largest lenders in what consumer advocates called a win for…
Judge upholds ex-NFL star Hernandez’ murder conviction
BOSTON (Reuters) – A Massachusetts judge on Wednesday rejected a request by lawyers for former National Football League player Aaron Hernandez to overturn his conviction for the 2013 murder of an acquaintance.
Connecticut to pay $50,000 reward to man who testified in murder case
MILFORD, Conn. (Reuters) – Connecticut has agreed to pay a rare $50,000 reward to a man whose testimony led to his cousin’s conviction for the brutal murder of an actress who had appeared on the TV drama “Law & Order,” state officials said Wednesday.
Woman falls 400 feet to death in Colorado’s Royal Gorge
DENVER (Reuters) – A 44-year-old woman plummeted 400 feet (120 meters) to her death from an observation deck overlooking the Royal Gorge canyon in the mountains of south-central Colorado, authorities said on Wednesday.
U.S. campaign highlights stress of fireworks on combat veterans
(Reuters) – Every Independence Day for the past eight years, Shawn Gourley and her family have left their Indiana home for remote campgrounds to escape the fireworks that trigger her veteran husband’s wartime memories.
Ex-N.Y. state senator gets seven years in prison for bribery
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A former Democratic state senator in New York was sentenced on Wednesday to seven years in federal prison for a bribery scheme, in one of a series of public corruption cases brought by U.S. prosecutors against state lawmakers.
Pentagon: ‘No anticipation’ U.S. might give up Guantanamo base
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States does not anticipate giving up its naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, despite Wednesday’s historic agreement by the former Cold War enemies to restore diplomatic ties, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said.
Baltimore to put cameras in police vans, review riot gear
BALTIMORE (Reuters) – Cameras that can record will be installed in Baltimore police vans like the one in which Freddie Gray suffered a fatal injury, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said on Wednesday.
