‘Virtual kidnapping’ on the rise in New York, FBI says
NEW YORK (Reuters) – In a new wrinkle to an old crime, hundreds of New Yorkers have been tricked into paying ransoms by wire transfer to callers who falsely claim to have kidnapped their family members, according to the FBI.
Ten killed, five injured after Texas prison bus hits train
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Ten people were killed and five severely injured when a Texas prison bus carrying 15 people skidded off an icy highway overpass and hit a moving freight train on Wednesday, officials said.
Connecticut court hears arguments on ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ records
HARTFORD, Conn. (Reuters) – A debate on whether to release the medical records of the female serial killer who inspired the play and film “Arsenic and Old Lace” played out on Wednesday on the stage of Connecticut’s Supreme Court more than a half centur…
Man pleads guilty to killing four men in small central Ohio city
(Reuters) – A man accused of beating and strangling four rural Ohio men pleaded guilty to their murders on Wednesday and was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
U.S. settles long-running corruption case against Teamsters union
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department agreed on Wednesday to reduce and ultimately end more than two decades of government oversight of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, saying the union has made significant strides to cut ties wit…
Man jumps in front of San Francisco train, snarling morning commute
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Commuters were faced with major delays across San Francisco on Wednesday morning after a man jumped in front of a train and was killed, forcing officials to shut down most lines running through downtown, Bay Area Rapid Transit…
Volunteers search for missing wallaby in Washington state
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Volunteers were searching a wooded area north of Seattle for a missing marsupial who bounded away from its crate during a transfer to a local petting zoo last week, putting the animal at risk for predators, its guardian said on Wedn…
Massachusetts theater calls off Bill Cosby performance
(Reuters) – Bill Cosby’s scheduled performance next month in Massachusetts has been canceled, a theater said on Wednesday, dealing another setback to the comedian’s effort to keep performing despite a wave a sexual assault allegations.
Two endangered monkeys die at Louisiana zoo after being left out in cold
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Two monkeys belonging to a species that is critically endangered died at a Louisiana zoo after they were left out overnight in the cold by a caretaker, officials said on Wednesday.
Obama calls Ohio State’s Meyer to salute football championship
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama called Urban Meyer to congratulate the Ohio State head coach on his team’s 42-20 upset victory over Oregon the first College Football Playoff championship.
