All USA Update
High society: Oregonians toke up legally for first timeOregon is the fourth US state to legalize recreational marijuana use.
Yet another black church fire frays already tender nervesTuesday night's fire at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Greeleyville, S.C., is at least the sixth fire at a black church since the June 17 shooting at Emanuel AME in Charleston.
5 months and a hacksaw blade: David Sweat tells his side of prison break storyEscaped and recaptured convict David Sweat denies reports that he used power tools during his escape from Clinton Correctional in Dannemora, N.Y.
California drought: State's water restrictions face court testsFour lawsuits over restrictions for 'senior' water users in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds, as well as a lawsuit by the city of Riverside, challenge state control over local water rights amid the California drought.
Why native Hawaiians are saying no to a $1.4 billion telescopeAn ongoing battle between native Hawaiians and astronomers intending to build a telescope on a traditionally sacred mountain has sparked debate over which is more important: progress or tradition?
Nowhere to go but up? Chris Christie declares presidential bidAmid low approval ratings, New Jersey governor and onetime GOP favorite Chris Christie launched his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday evening.
Is Jeb Bush’s show of transparency working?Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is set to release 33 years of tax returns Tuesday afternoon. Could his transparency policy win votes?
Girl Scouts return $100,000 pledge after donor excludes transgender girlsThe organization responded by starting its own online fundraiser.
Oklahoma Ten Commandments monument ordered to be removedThe Ten Commandments monument violated Oklahoma's state Constitution, which bars using public money to support religion.
Beachgoers beware: Hazardous SpaceX debris floating off Florida and GeorgiaAs the Coast Guard monitors wreckage from Sunday's spacecraft explosion, it's warning visitors to steer clear of any debris that could wash ashore.
Yarnell Fire settlement: not just money, but reforms to keep firefighters saferWhile the settlement does not legally assign blame or accuse forestry officials of negligence, it does criticize practices that put firefighters in harm's way.
Washington Sleepy Hollow fire: firefighters gaining control of flamesOn day three, firefighters think they are closer to containing the wildfire that has swept through central Washington
Should non union-members cover negotiating costs? Supreme Court takes case.Teachers in California say that 'fair-share' fees imposed on non-union members infringes on their rights. Unions say they help fund negotiations that benefit all teachers.
What does Boston need to do win over Olympic naysayers?The revised Boston 2024 Olympic Games bid is out now. Opponents say it lacks details.
12 prison employees placed on leave following escape: Systemic problem?Twelve prison employees have been placed on administrative leave following the escape of two convicts. A broader probe of the prison is ongoing, as prosecutors seek criminal charges against employees who aided the escape.
South Carolina's legislature has support to remove Confederate flagA poll of lawmakers determined that both the South Carolina House and Senate has achieved the two-thirds majority needed to take the flag down.
Why is the US Chamber of Commerce lobbying abroad for smoking?The US Chamber of Commerce is lobbying against anti-smoking regulations abroad at a time when Americans are smoking less, and Congress is pushing a trade bill through that could limit the tobacco industry's influence overseas.
After controversial comments, are businesses turning their backs on Trump?On Monday, NBC announced that it would break its contract and no longer air the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
DOJ finds police 'violated citizens' rights' during Ferguson protestsPolice officers responding to protests in Ferguson, Mo., violated free-speech rights and antagonized crowds, according to a summary of a Justice Department report obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
A high school history lesson – from Whitey Bulger?Former Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger wrote to three Massachusetts high school students doing a history project. Why would Bulger's perspective matter?
