Investigation into California city centers on consulting firm
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A California city that saw its government offices raided by FBI agents and local prosecutors this week has confirmed that the investigation centers on a relationship between officials there and a private consulting company.
U.S. teen suspended after using fake explosives in prom proposal
SEATTLE (Reuters) – A Washington state high school student has been suspended after strapping a fake explosive device around his waist in a prom-proposal stunt that spooked staff and teens, a school official said on Thursday.
Michael Brown’s family sues Ferguson over shooting death
(Reuters) – The family of Michael Brown filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Ferguson on Thursday, seeking unspecified damages and police reforms after the black teen’s killing by a white policeman prompted a national debate on law enforc…
Neighbors grieve quietly for Maryland man killed in drone strike
ROCKVILLE, Md. (Reuters) – On the leafy street where U.S. economic development expert Warren Weinstein lived before he was kidnapped by Islamic militants in Pakistan, the yellow ribbons signifying hope that he would come home still hung on Thursday.
Wife of slain California mayor charged with manslaughter
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The wife of a small-town Southern California mayor shot dead during a domestic dispute in their home has been charged with manslaughter in the slaying and pleaded not guilty on Thursday during her initial court appearance, prose…
San Diego man charged in terrorism case involving Syria fighting
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A 24-year-old San Diego man was charged on Thursday with lying about his involvement with Islamic militants fighting in Syria, the Justice Department said.
California inmate dies of unknown causes after 25 years on death row
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) – A California inmate who spent 25 years on death row for the murder of a brain-damaged woman has died of unknown causes, making him the third condemned prisoner to die this year in a state that has not carried out an execu…
Seattle suspends plan to fine residents over food scraps in garbage
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Seattle has suspended plans to fine homeowners who fail to comply with the city’s food waste composting program, which has seen early success but also a lack of awareness over the rules, a public utility official said on Thursday.
SkyWest unclear on why plane passengers lost consciousness
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A day after three passengers lost consciousness on a commercial plane traveling from Chicago to Hartford, Connecticut, airline officials remained unclear on what had caused the travelers to pass out.
Major Florida school district dumps almost all yearend testing
MIAMI (Reuters) – The Miami school district, the nation’s fourth largest, said on Thursday it was eliminating most end-of-course exams, including all those for elementary school students, the latest blow to standardized testing in the state.




