Arizona authorities probe church fires as possible hate crimes
MESA Ariz. (Reuters) – Arizona authorities are probing a series of arson fires at suburban Phoenix churches as possible hate crimes after an apparent arsonist set Bibles alight on church doorsteps, police said on Thursday.
Florida judge strikes down voter-approved same-sex marriage ban
MIAMI (Reuters) – A county judge in Florida struck down on Thursday the state’s gay marriage ban, the latest in a string of court rulings across the United States voiding state laws that restrict the right of same-sex couples to marry.
Wisconsin man pleads not guilty in suitcase bodies case
ELKHORN Wis. (Reuters) – A Wisconsin man accused of stuffing the bodies of two women in separate suitcases and dumping the luggage in a roadside ditch pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday.
Decriminalized pot takes effect in District of Columbia
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Marijuana decriminalization takes effect in the District of Columbia on Thursday, part of an easing of pot penalties in the U.S. capital that has drawn fire from Congress.
Man jailed in Detroit mob beating needed father -judge
(Reuters) – A judge on Thursday told a man who pleaded guilty to being part of a mob assault on a motorist in Detroit that he had needed a father “to beat the hell out of you” and then sentenced the defendant to six months in jail.
Buckyball magnetic toys recalled, ending legal fight
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Magnetic toys called Buckyballs, which can be swallowed and have been blamed for numerous injuries, are being recalled at the end of a years-long legal fight, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday.
Homeless man pleads not guilty in Arizona priest killing
PHOENIX (Reuters) – An Arizona homeless man and convicted felon pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of killing a priest and beating another pastor with a metal pipe at a Phoenix church, court officials said.
Transgender sibling of NBA player found slain in Baltimore
(Reuters) – A transgender woman whose brother is an National Basketball Association player has been found slain in a Baltimore alley, police said on Thursday.
Kentucky man charged with pizza prank at police station
(Reuters) – A Kentucky man already charged with shoplifting beer added to his troubles when he made a prank call from the police station to order five pizzas, police said on Thursday.
Judge mulls timetable for redrawing Florida redistricting maps
TALLAHASSEE Fla (Reuters) – Lawyers for the Florida legislature’s Republican leaders and county elections officers argued on Thursday that a judge who threw out their 2012 congressional redistricting plan could not require that boundaries be redrawn in…
