Polar bear listed as endangered; The Interior secretary tries to limit the reach of the designation, the first prompted mainly by global warming.
The Interior Department on Wednesday designated the polar bear as threatened with extinction because of shrinking sea ice, making it the first creature... |
DANN QUITS, GETS NO DEAL: Ohio inspector general seizes office's computers, troopers watch staff
May 15--COLUMBUS -- After 17 months on the job, and 12 days after admitting an affair with a staffer, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann resigned Wednesday... |
FTC AGREES TO INVESTIGATE HIGH FUEL PRICES AT DURBIN'S REQUEST
The following information was released by Illinois Senator Richard J. Durbin: At the urging of United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Federal Trade... |
Guilty pleas in Spitzer prostitute case imminent
May 14--Guilty pleas in the federal prostitution case that led to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's downfall are imminent, with some possible today, according... |
Immigration raid biggest in U.S. history
May 14--POSTVILLE -- Nearly 400 people have been arrested in what federal officials are now calling the largest single-site immigration raid in United... |
Feds pursue Corley sisters' assets to recover more than half of $20.5 million swindled from taxpayers
May 15--Federal prosecutors are hoping to recover more than half the $20.5 million a Lexington County businesswoman admitted bilking from U. |
Students can get an extra loan
There's a silver lining to the credit crisis for student borrowers. Last week, President Bush signed a bill that will let undergraduate college students... |
Criminal cases associated with Spitzer scandal may end with guilty pleas
NEW YORK _ Guilty pleas in the federal prostitution case that led to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's downfall are imminent, with some possible Wednesday, according... |
ID plan among nation's most strict
A proposal approved by a Missouri Senate committee yesterday would require proof of citizenship from anyone registering to vote. |
Federal probe of counterfeit ring leads to five arrests; The operation printed and distributed $7 million in the last two years, officials say.
Troy Stroud couldn't have known it at the time, but as he passed a crisp new $20 bill to the woman in the drive-through window at a Popeyes Chicken restaurant... |
The Nation; Mixing oil and politics; Congress votes to stop shipments to the nation's reserve. The move could save motorists some money.
Jittery about a political backlash over gasoline costs as prices set yet another record Tuesday, Congress voted to halt deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum... |
Fresno violated rights of homeless; Judge rules city ignored 4th and 14th Amendments to Constitution in series of raids on encampments.
A federal judge ruled that Fresno violated the constitutional rights of homeless residents whose personal property was destroyed in a series of 14 city... |
The World; Charges dropped for '20th hijacker'; But five other Sept. 11 suspects, including the alleged mastermind, will face the troubled Guantanam...
One judge in the Guantanamo Bay military tribunal has threatened to suspend the case against a Canadian terrorism suspect if Pentagon prosecutors continue... |
Nation in Brief / FLORIDA; Wildfire arsonists are sought
Investigators searched for one or more arsonists behind a string of stubborn wildfires that have destroyed at least 40 homes on Florida's Atlantic coast... |
U.S. high court allows apartheid claims against multinationals
The US Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court ruling that multinational companies can be sued in a US court for allegedly aiding and abetting the former... |
JONES INTRODUCES PRESIDENTIAL SIGNING STATEMENTS ACT
The following information was released by the office of North Carolina Rep. Walter B. Jones: Representative Walter B. |
Suit blames federal officials for citizenship delays
BY KEVIN GRAHAM Times Staff Writer TAMPA - A local immigration law firm is suing federal authorities over bureaucratic delays in citizenship applications... |
Disputes reflect continuing tension over Title IX; Ruling fuels new lawsuits on gender equity in sports
When Lindy Vivas and Stacy Johnson-Klein were coaching women's athletic teams at Fresno State, they questioned school administrators about what they viewed... |
Where's my tax rebate? Here's why you might not have gotten it yet
Your neighbor got one. So did your brother-in-law. Your loud-mouth co-worker received his last week and spent it at the track. You, however, haven't gotten... |
U.S. court says schools can require uniforms
Public schools don't violate students' freedom of expression by requiring them to wear uniforms, a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Monday. |
Much not known about suicide among war veterans
WASHINGTON _ Members of Congress who questioned Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake and his top aides about suicides among veterans accused them of... |
Delaware's corporate dominance threatened
WILMINGTON, Del. When it comes to selling Delaware as the pre-eminent legal home for Corporate America, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Myron Steele... |
Spying up, but terror cases drop; Prosecutions dip 50% in five years. Gauging success of surveillance is tricky, but some experts are concerned.
The number of Americans being secretly wiretapped or having their financial and other records reviewed by the government has continued to increase as officials... |
Secret Service, Denver sued over convention plans
The ACLU of Colorado filed a federal lawsuit Friday against the U.S. Secret Service and the city of Denver to ensure protesters can march and demonstrate... |
Victims' fund won't end I-35W bridge litigation
The recently passed bill creating an I-35W bridge victims' compensation fund should resolve the question of the state's potential liability to victims... |
Law protects armed homeowners
May 12--It's 3 a.m. and you hear a noise downstairs, but the dog's at the vet's clinic and you're supposed to be alone in your home. Your sidearm in hand... |
Shred days cut identity thieves off from source: Events ease fears about discarding old papers
May 12--Like a lot of homeowners, Len Thorstad had boxes full of old documents -- financial statements, receipts, personal records -- piling up in the... |
For some U.S. troops, check is not in mail: REBATE BYPASSES THOSE WITH FOREIGN SPOUSES
May 8--When Congress passed an economic-stimulus package giving hefty rebates to most taxpayers, it tried to make sure that illegal immigrants didn't get... |
'Food vs. fuel' debate heats up Sens. Nelson, Grassley and others defend ethanol amid calls to divert less corn for biofuel production.
WASHINGTON -- Rising food prices have sparked a Capitol Hill showdown over whether to roll back federal mandates for the production of corn-based ethanol... |
Competing House bills use databases to check workers' legal status: Analysts say plans are election-year bids to tackle immigration
May 9--WASHINGTON -- With little prospect of overhauling the nation's immigration laws before the presidential election, members of Congress are attempting... |
Congress unveils new farm bill
WASHINGTON - The final version of the nearly $300 billion farm bill takes aim at agricultural subsidies and steers a higher share of dollars away from... |
The Nation; House passes mortgage rescue; The plan gains support as pressure mounts on both political parties.
The House on Thursday passed the most sweeping government plan yet to shore up the troubled housing market and help people struggling to pay their mortgages... |
The Nation; Medicare offers rules to prevent marketing abuse
Medicare proposed new rules Thursday to curb marketing abuses that have cropped up as the role of private insurance plans has grown in the giant healthcare... |
Facebook reaches agreement on sex predators
Facebook, the world's second-largest social-networking Web site, has reached an agreement with state law enforcement authorities across the country aimed... |
$423-million MTBE settlement is offered; Hundreds of lawsuits alleged that oil companies had fouled groundwater with the gasoline additive.
Chevron, BP and other major oil companies have agreed to pay $423 million to settle more than 500 lawsuits brought by water suppliers and users in California... |
Artificial turf: Health hazard?; Concern about lead prompts further questions
Since the 1960s, artificial turf has been installed on sports fields across the nation, touted as a more durable and cost-effective alternative to grass... |
Abuse of children targeted: 43 federal prosecutors to be added to go after online sexual predators
May 8--Federal prosecutors in Charlotte and across the country are getting more resources to go after sexual predators who exploit children. |
Nation in Brief / PENNSYLVANIA; Taped police beating is investigated
A Philadelphia police sergeant and five officers were pulled from street duty as city officials investigated television footage showing a group of officers... |
Bush to reject foreclosure aid measures; The president's threat to veto bills he says 'reward speculators and lenders' surprises Democratic sponsors.
President Bush declared Wednesday that he would veto the foreclosure relief legislation under consideration in Congress, surprising Democrats who believed... |
Witnesses: Mortgage lenders abusing court system; Senate committee hears allegations of misconduct
Mortgage lenders are abusing the bankruptcy court system by pursuing unjustified foreclosures against struggling homeowners, piling on questionable fees... |
FBI seizes computer files of controversial U.S. counsel
WASHINGTON - Federal agents raided the office and home of U.S. Special Counsel Scott Bloch yesterday while investigating whether the nation's top protector... |
Breaking up is even harder to do: Divorce becoming increasingly complicated
Under the best of circumstances, divorce proceedings rarely are completely pleasant or smooth-sailing for a couple and their lawyers. |
Nation in Brief / WASHINGTON, D.C.; Panel subpoenas top Cheney aide
A House Judiciary Committee panel voted to subpoena vice presidential aide David Addington as part of a broad inquiry into the Bush administration's treatment... |
With no photo IDs, nuns denied ballots in Indiana
WASHINGTON _ At least 10 retired nuns in South Bend, Ind., were barred from voting in Tuesday's Indiana Democratic primary election because they lacked... |
Nearly 100 Arrested in SDSU Drug Probe
An extensive undercover drug operation targeting drug dealers and buyers on the San Diego State University campus resulted in the arrests of nearly 10... |
Kansas high court upholds grand juries prompted by citizens
May 6--TOPEKA -- The Kansas Supreme Court ruled today today that the state's system of allowing citizen-petitioned grand juries is constitutional. |
Fed chief urges action on foreclosure crisis
As the House prepared to take aggressive steps to stem the wave of home foreclosures, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. |
Lethal injection still set tonight; Clemency denied, but lawyers for killer of girlfriend hope the state Supreme Court will grant a stay today.
Condemned killer William Earl Lynd was denied clemency Monday, setting him on course to be executed by lethal injection tonight. |
Nation in Brief / OHIO; Attorney general refuses to resign
Risking impeachment, Ohio's attorney general refused demands from the governor and other fellow Democrats that he resign over a sexual harassment scandal... |
Don't turn back the clock; Fed proposals could trigger higher interest rates, lower credit limits.
Credit cards are so commonplace today that it is easy to take for granted the convenience, security and flexibility that they offer. |
States mull retroactive sex-offender registries
A federal law that requires states to establish a new system for registering sex offenders by 2009 is prompting some states to mandate retroactive registration... |
Small claims court 'great leveler'
If you've ever felt unjustly hit by bank fees, you may find Karney Hatch's documentary interesting. The film, called "Overdrawn" and still seeking distribution... |
PREPAID PHONE CARDS DON'T ALWAYS DELIVER WHAT YOU PAY FOR
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Every week, millions of consumers buy prepaid calling cards, primarily to make international calls to family and friends. |
ID theft twist: Law hurts legal Hispanics now; Social Security match rule means crooks take names, too
During his last three years as a Waukegan police detective, Tom Granger has specialized in enforcing the laws related to identity theft. It's a specialty... |
Photo ID may be required for state's boaters; Some enthusiasts wary of U.S. efforts to improve security
All Wisconsin boaters may be required to carry photo identification as federal officials consider tighter security of the nation's more than 17 million... |
Disabled vets face several challenges
May 4--Tamara Rodriguez-Uhrich has never had a more fulfilling job than working with the young men who return from war severely disabled. |
Effort to sue gun makers thrown out by U.S. court
NEW YORK - A federal appeals court Wednesday tossed out New York City's lawsuit claiming the gun industry markets weapons with the knowledge that they... |
FTC to announce plans for probe of possible oil price manipulation
WASHINGTON _ The Federal Trade Commission will announce Friday its plan for investigating and regulating possible market manipulation by oil companies... |
TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE: EPA's top Midwest regulator forced out: Mary Gade, based in Chicago, says Bush administration made her quit over Dow Chemical case
May 1--The Bush administration forced its top environmental regulator in the Midwest to quit Thursday after months of internal bickering about dioxin contamination... |
REGULATION; Proposals seek to restrain credit card fees, practices; Complaints of unfair rate hikes spur new consumer protections.
Credit card companies would be barred from some retroactive interest rate hikes and other "unfair and deceptive" practices that cost consumers billions... |
Student-loan legislation moves forward
In moving this week to shore up the student-loan market, the federal government aims to avert a credit crunch that some warned could make it harder for... |
The Nation; Ban on genetic bias is passed by House
The House on Thursday backed legislation barring the use of genetic information in job and health insurance decisions, moving the government to the cusp... |
Assembly passes bill for airline travelers; It sends to the Senate a measure that ensures certain rights for grounded passengers.
Passengers stuck on grounded airplanes for more than three hours would have a right to fresh air, electricity, working restrooms, food and water under... |
Foreclosure fraud bill OK'd
May 2--TALLAHASSEE -- Almost as soon as she found out her lender had filed foreclosure, Deneen Whitley began getting phone calls, letters and pamphlets... |
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS; Bill would provide student loan funds
Financing college is likely to get easier, thanks to a bill sailing through Congress. The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008, passed... |
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ACT SIGNED INTO LAW
The following information was released by the office of Pennsylvania Rep. Todd Russell Platts: U.S. Reps. |
Idaho lawmakers push to get potatoes back in USDA program
WASHINGTON _ Idaho's congressional delegation is fighting a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision that prohibits poor women from buying potatoes with... |
Taxi drivers protest new federal ID requirements; Their lawsuit argues the badges are discriminatory
More than 100 taxi drivers punctuated the filing of a civil rights lawsuit Tuesday with a downtown procession to protest a looming deadline requiring all... |
330-year payoff in scam 72-year-old also told to pay $38 million for fraudulent investment deal Norman Schmidt gave false earnings statements to get m...
A 72-year-old man convicted in a multimillion-dollar high-yield investment scam was sentenced Tuesday to 330 years in federal prison. |
Census: Frost Belt feels labor drain; Fewer young workers prop up population
The number of Americans ages 25 to 44 has dropped 1.5% since 2000, shrinking the pool of young workers in some states despite a 7% increase in the country's... |
Higgins students sue over missed prom; Style of dress got them turned away at door
Nearly one year after being turned away from prom for wearing what some school officials deemed inappropriate attire, 23 students and their parents have... |
Veterans' case rests with call for overhaul of mental health system; SAN FRANCISCO
Veterans are suffering and dying because of a broken-down mental health system at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the only remedy is a court-ordered... |
Rigsbys issue rebuttal: Sisters say they did nothing wrong
Apr. 29--GULFPORT -- Attorneys for the two women at the center of the State Farm whistleblower lawsuit asserted on Monday their clients did what they thought... |
THE $1 BILLION TIMBER PAYDAY: WHO TOOK A CUT? LAWSUIT, U.S. SENATORS WANT DETAILS ON DEAL BUSH ADMINISTRATION DEFENDS ARRANGEMENT IT MADE WITH CANADA
Is it an illegal $1 billion slush fund for Bush administration friends in the timber industry, extorted from Canada and designed to evade congressional... |
Report says Indian cigarette smuggling funds terrorism
Apr. 29--WASHINGTON -- Cigarette-smuggling rackets originating on New York's Indian reservations are resulting in huge sums of money being transferred... |
