New York City legislation to restrict credit checks on job hopefuls
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Legislation that awaits New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s signature would prohibit employers from checking the credit history of most job applicants, a practice that supporters say discriminates against minorities and the poor.
White House mum on DEA chief after sex party scandal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House sidestepped questions on Thursday about whether President Barack Obama retains confidence in the chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration after an investigation found DEA agents took part in sex parties with p…
Florida doctor linked to U.S. senator pleads not guilty to Medicare fraud
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) – A Florida ophthalmologist accused of giving lavish gifts to U.S. Senator Robert Menendez in a corruption scandal that led to criminal charges against the New Jersey Democrat pleaded not guilty on Thursday in federal co…
Obama administration to remove hurdle to ‘wellness’ penalties
NEW YORK (Reuters) – In what would be a significant and hard-fought victory for U.S. businesses, the Obama administration said on Thursday it will propose new rules for workplace wellness programs that would treat as voluntary even plans that penalize …
Police defend fast-food stop for Michigan boy held in basement
DETROIT (Reuters) – A Detroit police officer defended her decision to stop for fast food for an emaciated boy found in a basement, at a court hearing on Thursday to decide whether his father and stepmother should be put on trial in the case.
Los Angeles judge orders rap mogul ‘Suge’ Knight to stand trial for murder
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A Los Angeles judge on Thursday ordered rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight to stand trial for murder in the January hit-and-run death of a man outside a hamburger stand, rejecting a bid by Knight’s lawyer to have the case dismissed….
Former Washington state governor ejects man from car
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Former Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire used fast thinking and driving to stop a stranger from climbing into her car in a store parking lot, Olympia police said on Thursday.
Thousands of U.S. Midwest dogs infected with Asian flu variety
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A new strain of dog flu from Asia that started infecting pets in Chicago this January has spread to thousands of dogs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana and killed six, animal health officials said.
Fort Hood attack Purple Heart recipients to get added benefits
(Reuters) – The U.S. Army said on Thursday it will provide additional benefits to the dozens of soldiers awarded Purple Heart medals stemming from a 2009 shooting rampage by an Army psychiatrist at the Fort Hood Army base in central Texas.
U.S. judges raise doubts about early challenge to EPA carbon rules
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In the first legal test of the Obama administration’s plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, two of three federal judges hearing a challenge to the regulations on Thursday expressed skepticism about weighing in…
