Driver in fatal New York train crash was ‘in a daze’: sources
(Reuters) – The driver of a New York commuter train that derailed on Sunday, killing four people, told investigators he was “in a daze” shortly before the crash, sources said, and officials lamented his train lacked technology that could have prevented…
California Bay Area commuter rail unions sue to enforce contract that ended strike
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Unions representing more than 2,000 rail workers on Tuesday sued the San Francisco area’s commuter rail system, the nation’s fifth largest, saying management had reneged on an agreement to end a strike that paralyzed the netwo…
Alabama county emerges from second-largest municipal bankruptcy
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) – Alabama’s Jefferson County on Tuesday closed on a $1.78 billion sewer bond deal and brought an end to what had been the biggest U.S. municipal bankruptcy before Detroit filed for court protection from creditors in July.
In largest-ever U.S. city bankruptcy, cuts coming for Detroit creditors, retirees
DETROIT (Reuters) – A federal judge on Tuesday formally declared Detroit bankrupt, a landmark ruling that clears the way for potentially sweeping cuts to city worker pensions and retirement benefits and for steep and possibly precedent-setting losses t…
Prosecutors want accused LA airport gunman held without bail
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Prosecutors asked a federal magistrate judge on Tuesday to deny bail for a California man accused of opening fire at Los Angeles International Airport last month, killing a security agent and wounding three other people.
Miami suburb sued for aggressive police tactics, racial profiling
MIAMI (Reuters) – The mayor and police department of a predominantly black Miami suburb have been hit with a federal civil rights lawsuit over the alleged use of aggressive police tactics, including stop-and-frisk searches and arbitrary arrests, target…
Analysis: Detroit bankruptcy expected to survive appeals process
(Reuters) – Detroit’s financial overseers should prevail against appeals lodged by city worker unions and pension plans after a federal judge’s landmark ruling on Tuesday allowing the city to become the largest U.S. city ever to enter bankruptcy protec…
Teen pleads not guilty in NYC shooting over ‘Biggie’ coat
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New York City teen accused of shooting two people over a trendy puffy coat at a crowded midtown Manhattan skating rink pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to attempted murder and other charges.
California unions brace for showdown over pension reform
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – For California’s public-sector unions, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s proposed statewide ballot measure for pension reform is a call to arms – and they’re bringing out the big guns.
Montana judge says no bias in 30-day term for teacher who raped student
(Reuters) – A Montana judge, under fire for sentencing a former teacher to 30 days in prison for raping a 14-year-old student who later killed herself, has denied allegations he showed racial or gender bias against the victim, documents made public on …