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.
Recreational-use marijuana to become legal in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) – Marijuana smoking, seed sharing and cannabis-themed rallies are among the ways Oregon residents plan to celebrate as recreational-use pot becomes legal in the fourth western U.S. state on Wednesday.
U.S. names new envoy for bid to close Guantanamo prison
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A newly appointed special envoy to lead the Obama administration’s efforts to close the Guantanamo prison said he saw a window of opportunity that could substantially reduce the detainee population there in coming months.
Candidate Jeb Bush releases 33 years of tax returns in show of transparency
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush released 33 years of tax records on Tuesday that traced his path to a net worth of between $19 million and $22 million, in a show of transparency that will pressure Democrat Hil…
Los Angeles seeks job training exemption to new minimum wage law
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Los Angeles City Council, which weeks ago approved a hike in the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020, on Tuesday asked its legal staff to carve out an exemption to the ordinance for job training programs.
U.S. Republican Christie launches 2016 bid, promises straight talk
LIVINGSTON, N.J. (Reuters) – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie launched an uphill run for the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday with his trademark brashness, offering up his blunt talk and willingness to tackle tough issues as the cure for…
