Ex-NFL star handled gun that may have been murder weapon: friend
BOSTON (Reuters) – A former friend of Aaron Hernandez testified on Wednesday that he saw the ex-New England Patriots player handle a gun similar to the one prosecutors contend he used to murder an acquaintance, and that Hernandez had a distrustful natu…
Arkansas governor rejects bill after pressure over gay discrimination
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) – Republican Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday rejected a religion bill he had said he would sign into law, reversing course after a national firestorm of criticism assailing such legislation as discriminating ag…
Poll finds rising exile support for Obama’s Cuba policy
(Reuters) – A poll of Cuban-Americans shows support for the White House’s new Cuba policy has risen in the three months since it was announced, with 51 percent now in favor of closer engagement with Cuba, up from 44 percent in December.
New York state pushes education, ethics reforms in new budget
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York lawmakers passed a $142 billion budget on Wednesday, the start of the state’s fiscal year, pushing through extra funding for education reforms and new ethics rules for legislators.
Police chase ends in death of Georgia teenager with heart transplant
ATLANTA (Reuters) – A Georgia teenager who had received a heart transplant after a national debate about whether he deserved the operation died during a high-speed chase with police in a stolen car, authorities said on Wednesday.
Convicted murderer in Illinois overpowers guard, escapes: police
(Reuters) – A convicted murderer in Illinois was on the run on Wednesday after he overpowered a jail guard and took his keys and uniform, authorities said.
Duke University investigating noose found hanging on tree
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Reuters) – A noose found hanging from a tree at Duke University in North Carolina on Wednesday has prompted an investigation, school officials said in a statement.
Exclusive: Republican White House hopefuls attack Obamacare but take money
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Several Republican governors likely to run for president have secured hundreds millions of dollars under Obamacare while working to dismantle the healthcare law, according to a Reuters review of federal spending records.
Texas House gives tentative approval to $210 billion budget
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – The Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives gave tentative approval on Wednesday to a $210 billion, two-year budget that includes funds to boost security along the state’s border with Mexico.
Nevada rancher Bundy holds rally in support of public lands bill
(Reuters) – The Nevada rancher who was at the center of an armed standoff with federal agents last year held a peaceful rally on Tuesday in support of a proposal that would give the state greater control of public lands, local media said.
