Maryland governor moves to repeal ‘rain tax’
(Reuters) – Maryland’s “rain tax” on stormwater runoff designed to protect the ailing Chesapeake Bay would be repealed under legislation Republican Governor Larry Hogan unveiled on Tuesday.
FDA Commissioner says measles outbreak ‘alarming’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Describing the latest measles outbreak as “alarming,” Dr. Margaret Hamburg, outgoing commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said on Tuesday that the measles vaccine “should be used by everyone who has not been vac…
Prison health provider agrees to changes in California
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – One of the largest U.S. for-profit prison healthcare providers has agreed to change how it staffs California jails, part of a settlement announced on Tuesday that ends a wrongful death lawsuit against the company.
Gay rights advocates in Alabama sue for right to marriage licenses
(Reuters) – A U.S. judge in Alabama said on Tuesday she will hear arguments later this week on whether to force a local judge to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a day after officials in most of the state refused to do so in defiance of the…
Idaho town under indefinite order to boil water to prevent illnesses
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – Residents of an Idaho town were ordered on Tuesday to boil drinking water for a third day because of sediments in the public water supply that could harbor harmful parasites like cryptosporidium and strains of e-coli bacteria,…
Seattle contractors devise alternative rescue for tunnel machine
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Contractors have created an alternative plan to extract the world’s largest tunnel-boring machine stalled deep underneath downtown Seattle if the faltering equipment cannot move itself to a rescue pit, transportation officials said …
Milwaukee council approves $124 million streetcar system
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) – Milwaukee lawmakers on Tuesday approved a $124 million plan to build a downtown streetcar system, which supporters say will spur economic growth and opponents call a waste of money.
Pentagon defends 2016 budget request that exceeds spending caps
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Reuters) – Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work on Tuesday defended the Pentagon’s decision to ask Congress for a 2016 budget that far exceeds federal spending caps, saying several years of cuts have hurt the military’s ability to mo…
Serial flight stowaway jailed in Florida, nabbed at beach resort
TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) – A woman notorious for sneaking onto commercial flights has been jailed in North Florida, where she was caught checking into a beach resort under a false name, authorities said on Tuesday.
Jury hears taped confession in New York boy’s murder
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A jury intently watched the videotaped confession on Tuesday of a man accused of murdering Etan Patz in 1979 and heard him say he choked the 6-year-old boy and “just couldn’t let go.”
