University of New Mexico cancels women’s soccer match after hazing
ALBUQUERQUE N.M. (Reuters) – University of New Mexico officials on Wednesday canceled the first match of the women’s soccer team’s season after a hazing incident that left a teenager in hospital, and they said the UNM athletics department had let down …
Alaska voters narrowly backing tax cut for oil industry
JUNEAU Alaska (Reuters) – Alaskan voters appear to have narrowly upheld a new law that cut taxes on oil production and is worth up to $1 billion a year for companies such as ConocoPhillips, BP Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp, according to results available on…
Woman with no fingerprints faces theft, forgery charges in Colorado
DENVER (Reuters) – A disbarred lawyer who removed her fingerprints to hide her identity will be extradited to Colorado to faces charges that she swindled at least two people out of their homes, authorities said on Wednesday.
U.S. military tried, but failed to rescue journalist Foley, other hostages
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military earlier this year carried out an attempt to rescue journalist James Foley and other American hostages held in Syria, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, in an operation that the Pentagon said ultimately failed to…
Oklahoma Catholic bishop sues over planned black mass
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) – Oklahoma’s Catholic Archbishop filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to halt the use of what he said were stolen communion wafers destined for a satanic black mass ceremony to be held next month in Oklahoma City.
Louisiana grocery workers plead guilty in $7 million food aid fraud
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Three workers at a Louisiana grocery store pleaded guilty this week to participating in a $7 million scheme to exchange food assistance benefits for cigarettes and cash, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Phoenix police chief orders probe of fatal shooting by sergeant
PHOENIX (Reuters) – The Phoenix police chief said on Wednesday he has ordered an outside review of his department’s criminal investigation into the fatal shooting of a mentally ill woman by a sergeant last week, vowing to review departmental policies a…
Texas Governor Perry enters ‘not guilty’ plea to felony charges: newspaper
AUSTIN Texas (Reuters) – Texas Governor Rick Perry, a possible Republican candidate for the 2016 presidential race, has entered a not guilty plea to two felony counts of abuse of power, according to a legal document posted on Wednesday by a newspaper.
U.S. Supreme Court puts hold on gay marriage in Virginia
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court stopped gay marriage in Virginia from going ahead on Wednesday, staying an appeals court ruling that had struck down a state ban.
Fate of captured beluga whales in hands of Georgia judge
ATLANTA (Reuters) – A Georgia aquarium went to court on Wednesday seeking federal permission to bring 18 captured beluga whales to the United States from Russia.