Washington state voters approve measure to expand gun background checks
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Legislation to expand background checks for gun buyers in Washington state passed overwhelmingly, election results showed on Wednesday, making the state the first in the country to close the so-called gun-show loophole through popul…
California schools chief re-elected in race that became referendum on education reform
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – California’s union-backed schools superintendent has won re-election, defeating a challenger who called for tying teacher pay to student performance and a reshaping of tenure rules in an expensive race that emerged as a referend…
In rare case, NYC cops charged with assault over teen’s arrest
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Two New York police officers have been charged with assaulting a teenaged boy during his arrest in Brooklyn, prosecutors said on Wednesday, an unusual case in a city where prosecutions of police for excessive are rare.
Developer withdraws bid on 6,300 Detroit-area blighted properties
DETROIT (Reuters) – A developer has pulled out of a deal to acquire more than 6,300 Detroit-area properties in a county tax foreclosure auction a week after being declared the winning bidder, a county official said on Wednesday.
Obama, Republicans sound conciliatory note but battles loom
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and his powerful U.S. Senate adversary struck a conciliatory tone on Wednesday, but Obama’s plans to proceed with new immigration rules foreshadowed a bumpy start to his relationship with a Republican-contr…
Missouri ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, court rules
(Reuters) – Missouri’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a St. Louis circuit judge ruled on Wednesday, adding momentum to efforts in states across the country to legalize gay nuptials.
California schools chief re-elected in race that became referendum on education reform
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – California’s union-backed schools superintendent has won re-election, defeating a challenger who called for tying teacher pay to student performance and a reshaping of tenure rules in an expensive race that emerged as a referend…
Maryland teen was too drunk to carry out school attack plan: police
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The 16-year-old Maryland boy who police allege planned a school shooting was too intoxicated to carry off the attack, according to charging documents released on Wednesday.
Obama to seek authority from Congress for Islamic State fight
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he would seek fresh authorization from Congress in the next few weeks for the U.S. military campaign against Islamic State militants, taking a new approach to congressional backing for the…
No charges for man who toted gun at Arizona airport
PHOENIX (Reuters) – No criminal charges will be filed against a medical researcher who was arrested in July for openly carrying a loaded assault rifle in a Phoenix airport and terrifying a woman and her 17-year-old daughter, a prosecutors’ spokesman sa…