Political consultant sentenced to over seven years for stealing funds
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Political consultant Kenneth “Buddy” Barfield was sentenced to 87 months in a federal prison for siphoning off more than $2.5 million in campaign funds from a Texas candidate running for a U.S. Senate seat, U.S. prosecutors sa…
Obama struggles with Wall Street to woo Democrats over broker rules
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration is battling Wall Street to win the support of dozens of Democrat lawmakers over rules that could rein in brokers who handle trillions of dollars in retirement accounts.
NASA resolves issue with spacesuit helmet water leak
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) – Water that leaked into an astronaut’s helmet after a spacewalk on Wednesday poses no threat, clearing the way for another outing to rig the International Space Station for new space taxis, NASA said on Friday.
Seattle-area high schools hit with threats, high school cancels classes
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Two Seattle-area high schools were evacuated on Friday after receiving security threats, and another high school in Washington state heightened its security after a threatening message was scrawled on a bathroom wall.
Seattle woman knocked unconscious in drive-by egg throwing incident
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Seattle police searched on Friday for a vandal who hurled an egg at a woman standing outside a local bar, striking her in the head and knocking her unconscious in an apparently random drive-by attack, officials said.
Lawyers for Bill Cosby ask U.S. judge to dismiss defamation lawsuit
BOSTON (Reuters) – Attorneys for Bill Cosby asked a federal court judge on Friday to dismiss a defamation suit filed against the comedian in Massachusetts by three women who said he called them liars when they accused him of sexual assault.
Jewelry store smash-and-grab robbers charged in Detroit
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Federal authorities have broken up a Detroit-based gang that used sledge hammers to smash display cases and rob Rolex watches from jewelry stores around the country, and 17 members face charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Michiga…
Circus acrobat reported missing in Atlanta has been found
(Reuters) – An acrobat reported missing in Atlanta by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus has been found, a production company said on Friday.
Biden, fighting ‘tough cold,’ shortens trip
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will take a pass on a planned visit to Montevideo for the inauguration of Uruguay’s president on Sunday due to illness, a senior U.S. administration official said on Friday.
House Republicans advance plan for security funding extension
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Republican bill to provide a three-week funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security cleared a procedural hurdle in the House of Representatives on Friday, indicating support for final passage in the chamber.
