RALEIGH, N.C. — Republican lawmakers in North Carolina struck a compromise on a bill that now maintains a health exemption for masking in public while preventing the use of masks […]
Judge sentences former Illinois child welfare worker to jail in boy’s death
FILE – Former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employee Carlos Acosta appears in court inside Judge Robert Wilbrandt’s courtroom at the McHenry County Courthouse, Sept. 24, 2020, in […]
Minnesota man’s 2001 murder conviction should be overturned, officials say
MINNEAPOLIS — A man who was convicted of murder in 2001 should be exonerated, a special unit of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office said Thursday, saying prosecutors used shoddy legal […]
Giraffe’s nibble turns into airborne safari adventure for Texas toddler
GLEN ROSE, Texas — A Texas family got a brief scare when a nibble from a giraffe turned a 2-year-old’s safari visit into an airborne adventure. Paisley Toten was in […]
Charges against warden and guards at Wisconsin’s Shawshank-like prison renew calls to close it
MADISON, Wis. — With a “Shawshank Redemption”-style stone exterior and high castle-like guard towers, Wisconsin’s oldest prison, built in the 1850s, has long been a target for closure amid concerns […]
Dispute over mailed ballots in a New Jersey county delays outcome of congressional primary
Whether to count more than 1,900 mail ballots cast in one New Jersey county will be up to a judge after their envelopes were unsealed prematurely and members of the […]
Judge won’t block North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care for children
BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota law banning gender-affirming care for children will continue to be enforced pending a court challenge, but any kids whose treatments began before the law […]
US imposes travel bans on Georgian officials over new law that critics say will curb media freedom
WASHINGTON — The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on dozens of Georgian officials in response to the enactment of a law that drew weeks of protests by critics who say […]
Court ruling will allow student housing at UC Berkeley’s People’s Park, a counterculture landmark
SAN FRANCISCO — A California Supreme Court ruling Thursday will allow the University of California to build much-needed student housing at Berkeley’s historic People’s Park, capping years of protests over […]
Secret Service head says RNC security plans not final as protesters allege free speech restrictions
MILWAUKEE — The head of the U.S. Secret Service said Thursday that security plans for the Republican National Convention are still being determined as protesters blasted restrictions they claimed will […]