Maryland governor commutes sentences for remaining death row inmates
(Reuters) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley on Wednesday commuted the death sentences of the last four inmates remaining on death row, effectively ending capital punishment in the state.
Deadly winter storms batter California, chill New Year’s Eve
(Reuters) – Two people died on a wind-thrashed California island, and scores of motorists were left stranded on snow-swept mountain roads farther inland as winter storms chilled much of the Western United States on New Year’s Eve, officials said on Wed…
Four slightly hurt by Rose Bowl ‘dust devil’ in California
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A freak funnel of wind struck a concession area outside the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena during a pregame event on Wednesday, tossing tents and canopies through the air and slightly injuring four people, a fire department offic…
Colorado avalanche kills one snowshoer, two survive
DENVER (Reuters) – One snowshoer was killed but two others survived when an avalanche swept down a 12,000-foot Colorado mountain peak on Wednesday, authorities said, marking the third avalanche fatality in the United States this season.
NYC to ring in new year with heightened security in Times Square
NEW YORK (Reuters) – As tens of thousands of revelers gathered in New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve, authorities were bracing for renewed protests over excessive force by police, capping a year of tension over race relations across the United S…
U.S. Supreme Court plans to improve access to documents
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said on Wednesday the Supreme Court is launching a new case-filing system that will enable the public for the first time to view all court papers on the court’s own website.
Suicide note of transgender Ohio teen inspires call to help others
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – A transgender Ohio teen walked in front of an oncoming truck and was crushed to death on Sunday morning, leaving behind a suicide note that has resonated around the world and led to calls for a federal law to protect other tra…
Amid confusion, Florida judge green-lights gay marriages in Orlando
TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) – An Orlando area official can begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples next week, a Florida judge said, while the fate of same-sex marriage remained in limbo across most of the state.
Republicans to push ahead on new math for U.S. taxes, budget
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As Republicans assume control of the entire U.S. Congress in the new year, they are expected to push a controversial change to use more macroeconomic projections in determining the impact of tax and budget legislation on the fede…
Cincinnati reaches deal on pension reform
(Reuters) – Cincinnati struck a deal with labor unions late on Tuesday to reform the city’s troubled $2.4 billion pension system and eliminate an $862 million funding gap over the next 30 years, city officials said in a statement.
