U.S. military sexual assault reports jumped 50 percent last year
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Reported sexual assaults in the U.S. military jumped 50 percent last year, the Pentagon said on Thursday, and officials welcomed the spike as a sign that a high-level crackdown has made victims more confident their attackers will…
Firefighters hold line against fierce Southern California wildfire
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Firefighters made progress on Thursday against a wildfire driven by Santa Ana winds that has charred more than 1,000 acres of drought-parched scrubland east of Los Angeles, threatening a wealthy community in the foothills of the…
Dozens of U.S. colleges under investigation for sexual violence cases
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Dozens of U.S. colleges and universities are under investigation for possible violations of federal law in the handling of sexual assault and harassment complaints on their campuses, the Obama administration said on Thursday.
U.S. agents arrest 638, seize firearms and drugs in sweep of Surenos gang
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. authorities have arrested 638 suspected gang members in a month-long sweep aimed at associates of the fast-growing network of Surenos street gangs, an international criminal gang that started in Southern California, Immigrat…
Sex offender escapes Oregon prison days before release date
PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) – An Oregon sex offender who was just days from being released escaped a Portland prison but was quickly captured at a local fast food restaurant, and was due to be arraigned on additional charges on Thursday, police said.
Magma rising in Washington state’s Mount St. Helens volcano: USGS
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Magma levels are slowly rebuilding inside Mount St. Helens, a volcano in Washington state that erupted in 1980 and killed 57 people, although there was no sign of an impending eruption, U.S. scientists said.
Bin Laden associate’s lawyer admits U.S. tax charges, stays on case
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A convicted associate of Osama bin Laden refused to jettison his lawyer on Thursday just minutes after the lawyer pleaded guilty in federal court to tax avoidance crimes.
Two inmates dead in suspected gas explosion at Florida jail
(Reuters) – An apparent gas explosion demolished a part of a jail in northwest Florida, killing two inmates and injuring some 150 people, officials said on Thursday.
Iowa bill would allow form of marijuana for epilepsy treatment
DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) – Iowa lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill that would legalize possession of a liquid, non-intoxicating form of marijuana as a treatment for severe epilepsy, sending it to Governor Terry Branstad.
Flood warnings in place after record rains soak eastern U.S.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Flood warnings were posted across the eastern United States on Thursday after a powerful storm system unleashed record amounts of rain from New England to Florida.