U.S. justices weigh racially charged Alabama redistricting plan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared unsure how to resolve a challenge to a state legislature redistricting plan in Alabama that packed black voters into certain districts in a way that critics say diminishes their influe…
Obamacare enrollment group has less money, bigger outreach goal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Enroll America, the U.S. government’s private-sector flagship for reaching Americans who lack health insurance, has raised less money than last year to promote enrollment in Obamacare health plans but still expects to reach more …
White supremacist charged in Kansas murders makes court appearance
OLATHE Kan. (Reuters) – A white supremacist accused of killing three people at two Jewish facilities in Kansas will be evaluated for his competency to stand trial on capital murder charges, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Maryland man dies from storage shed blast injuries
(Reuters) – A Maryland man has died from injuries suffered in a storage shed explosion last week that damaged nearby houses, a fire official said on Wednesday.
Chicago expected to pass law to stem redevelopment of cheap hotels
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Chicago City Council is expected to pass an ordinance on Wednesday that will make it tougher to redevelop single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels, which advocates say will protect residents from homelessness.
U.S. states’ pot legalization not in line with international law: U.N. agency
VIENNA (Reuters) – Moves by some U.S. states to legalize marijuana are not in line with international drugs conventions, the U.N. anti-narcotics chief said on Wednesday, adding he would discuss the issue in Washington next week.
Pentagon No. 2 urges end to U.S. defense cut ‘madness’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work appealed on Wednesday for lawmakers to “end this madness” of across-the-board Pentagon spending cuts, saying they threaten U.S. military readiness and technological dominance at a time of…
Exclusive: As cities struggle, Scranton in Pennsylvania to triple a local tax
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The former steel and coal town of Scranton, Pennsylvania, will triple a local tax next year as it and some other U.S. cities struggle to recover from the financial crisis, the city’s business administrator told Reuters on Tuesday.
Missouri governor vows to stop any violence after Ferguson decision
WELDON SPRINGS Mo. (Reuters) – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said on Tuesday the National Guard would be on standby to respond to any violence after a grand jury decides whether or not to indict a white police officer for shooting dead an unarmed black t…
Visanow raises $16 million from General Catalyst on immigration bet
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – As President Barack Obama’s vow to act on immigration brings the contentious issue back to the public eye, one company is betting that U.S. visa services will remain a lucrative business no matter what the political outcome.
