U.S. considers flammability risk of Bakken crude after accidents
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Crude oil produced in North Dakota may be more flammable and prone to explosions than earlier thought, U.S. officials said on Thursday as they examine whether gas trapped in crude-by-rail shipments could explain a spate of fiery …
Heavy snow, dangerous cold snarl travel in northeastern U.S.
NEW YORK/BOSTON (Reuters) – The governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency and urged residents to stay indoors as a major storm hit the northeastern United States on Thursday, bringing heavy snow and delaying or canceling thousa…
Having U.S. Medicaid insurance may increase ER use: study
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Expanding access to Medicaid, a major plank of President Barack Obama’s health reform law, could increase emergency room visits by people on the healthcare program for the poor rather than decrease them, results of a study published…
As Obamacare begins, critics launch a new assault in ads
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Conservative activists opposed to President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul started a new assault on the Affordable Care Act as more than 2 million people began new health coverage under the law on Thursday.
Pennsylvania appeals state Supreme Court ruling on fracking law
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The state of Pennsylvania appealed on Thursday against a December decision from the state Supreme Court that struck down parts of an oil and gas law.
California court lets undocumented immigrant practice law
(Reuters) – The California Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that an undocumented Mexican immigrant should be licensed to practice law in a closely watched case on immigration rights.
Police arrest suspect in New Year’s Day murder of California priest
(Reuters) – Police in Northern California on Thursday arrested a man suspected of killing a Catholic priest on New Year’s Day, shortly after the suspect walked out of jail, where he had been held briefly for disorderly conduct, authorities said.
Former first lady Barbara Bush in ‘good spirits’ in hospital
HOUSTON (Reuters) – Former first lady Barbara Bush was in good spirits and doing well after being admitted to a Houston hospital earlier this week with a respiratory ailment, a family spokesman said on Thursday.
Obamas’ Christmas gift for godmother delivered to wrong family
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A Chicago-area family got a belated Christmas surprise this week – a book of family photos from the White House meant for the Obama girls’ godmother, according to media reports and the White House.
‘Breaking Bad’ contest winner arrested in Florida on drug charges
MIAMI (Reuters) – A Florida man who won a contest to watch the finale of the drug-themed TV show “Breaking Bad” with its cast has been arrested on charges he ran an underground synthetic marijuana distribution operation, police said on Thursday.
