Boy Scouts president says ban on gay leaders needs to end
DALLAS (Reuters) – Boy Scouts of America President Robert Gates said on Thursday the group’s ban on adult gay leaders needs to end, taking a step toward dismantling a policy that has caused deep rifts in the 105-year-old organization.
North Carolina preserves New Years Eve opossum tradition
RALEIGH, N.C. (Reuters) – North Carolina is poised to adopt its third law in as many years aimed at ensuring a rural community can continue to drop a live opossum to ring in the New Year.
U.S. extends oversight of GM’s handling of safety issues
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. regulators will oversee General Motors Co’s decision-making about potential vehicle safety issues for an additional year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Thursday.
New York’s Westchester County settles U.S. water safety lawsuit, pays record fine
(Reuters) – New York’s Westchester County will spend roughly $12 million to settle a federal government lawsuit alleging that its failure to properly treat drinking water exposed thousands of residents to greater risk of severe gastrointestinal illness…
Suit filed over South Carolina war memorial that separates dead by race
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) – Five veterans have sued South Carolina for the right to replace bronze plaques on a public memorial that separate those who died in the country’s two world wars under the headings of “white” and “colored.”
Illinois lawmakers pass marijuana decriminalization bill
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Illinois Senate on Thursday passed a bill decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, sending it to the governor for signature.
U.S. rail regulator orders more speed controls for Amtrak
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The leading U.S. rail regulator on Thursday ordered Amtrak to take immediate steps to improve the safety of its busiest route, formalizing a request that the company made days after a deadline derailment in Philadelphia.
After Texas shootout, summer biker rallies bring rumble of concern
(Reuters) – After three people were killed and seven wounded in shootings during a motorcycle rally last year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and others called for an end to an event that draws thousands to the family-friendly beac…
Washington quadruple slaying suspect thought to be in Brooklyn
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The suspect in the killing of a Washington businessman and three others found in a torched mansion is believed to be in Brooklyn, New York, and formerly worked for the executive’s company, police said on Thursday.
Detroit prosecutors join criminal probe of Takata over air bags
DETROIT (Reuters) – Prosecutors in Detroit have joined the U.S. federal probe into Takata Corp’s defective air bag inflators that are linked to at least six deaths globally.
