Utah to pay federal government to reopen national parks
(Reuters) – Utah will reopen its national parks and monuments under a deal with the U.S. Department of the Interior, which closed the sites and other parks across the country as part of the partial federal government shutdown that began on October 1.
German firm blocked shipments to U.S. distributor after drug sent for executions
(Reuters) – A German manufacturer confirmed on Thursday that it took the extraordinary step of suspending shipments of a widely used drug to a U.S. distributor this year after 20 vials were mistakenly sent to the state of Missouri to be used in executi…
Accused Colorado gunman’s computer used to search ‘rational insanity’
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (Reuters) – A computer belonging to accused gunman James Holmes, who claims he was insane when he shot dead 12 Colorado moviegoers last year, contained an internet search for the term “rational insanity,” a police officer testified on…
Rising number of U.S. homes at risk from wildfires -report
(Reuters) – The number of homes at risk from wildfires in western U.S. states jumped 62 percent in the past year as more properties were developed in fire-prone areas, according to a report released on Thursday.
Astronaut Scott Carpenter, fourth American in space, dies at 88
DENVER (Reuters) – Astronaut Scott Carpenter, who in 1962 became the fourth American in space and the second to orbit the Earth, died on Thursday in Colorado at age 88 of complications from a stroke, his wife Patty Carpenter said.
Detroit CFO apologizes for controversial remarks, is suspended pending probe
DETROIT (Reuters) – Jim Bonsall, Detroit’s chief financial officer, apologized Thursday after the city launched an investigation into allegations that he made racially inappropriate comments and demeaned his co-workers.
Obama signs bill to provide death benefits to families of U.S. soldiers
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama signed into law on Thursday legislation that was rushed through Congress to provide aid for the families of soldiers killed in the line of duty, assistance that was frozen due to the U.S. government shutdow…
Ex-Detroit mayor gets 28 years in prison for corruption
DETROIT (Reuters) – A U.S. judge sentenced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to 28 years in prison for corruption on Thursday, one of the longest such sentences ever handed to a major U.S. politician, in a case that further battered the reputation …
U.S. farm bill ‘windfall’ option could cost billions extra: study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An insurance provision in the U.S. farm bills proposed by the House and Senate could have corn, soybean, and wheat farmers making more money in a bad year, such as during a drought, than in a good year, an environmental group sai…
Canadian environmental activist pleads guilty to arson attacks in U.S. West
PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) – A Canadian environmentalist pleaded guilty on Thursday to setting a string of fires across the U.S. West that torched a ski resort and other buildings in what the Justice Department has called the “largest eco-terrorism cas…
