All USA Update
Companies tell Supreme Court: Legalizing gay marriage is good for businessSome 379 companies filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the US Supreme Court on Thursday, hoping to influence a case that could legalize gay marriage nationwide.
NASA's Dawn reaches Ceres, becomes first spacecraft to orbit dwarf planetMission controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory received confirmation that the Dawn spacecraft had achieved orbit around the dwarf planet Ceres Friday.
Two days into Boston Marathon bombing trial, defense already facing challengesAfter opening statements and two days of graphic victim testimony, two decisions from Judge George O’Toole may have stymied Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s defense team.
The end of an era? Ringling Bros. to retire its elephant actIncreased public concern with elephant welfare has led the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to phase out its iconic elephant act.
How Michelle Obama could help make school a reality for millions of girls worldwideThe first lady is spearheading a new initiative that, in partnership with the Peace Corps, aims to educate adolescent girls around the world.
Pre-teen who called out Obama gets kicked off FacebookC.J. Pearson made headlines when his video questioning the president's patriotism went viral. Did it provoke a backlash from Facebook?
Sweet Briar College to close: Are women's colleges still relevant?News of Sweet Briar College’s impending closure shocked students and called attention to challenges facing women’s institutes of higher education.
Why NYC students will be getting Islamic holidays off this yearNew York City public schools will now observe two major Muslim holidays. Is this a sustainable approach to religion within the education system?
Georgia indefinitely halts executions, buying time for woman on death rowThe state of Georgia indefinitely postponed the execution of the only woman on its death row. All executions are postponed until the lethal injection drug can be analyzed.
In ongoing war with Islamic State, Twitter suspends 2,000 accountsThe Islamic State is well known for its savvy use of social media to spread threats and propaganda. But social media companies in the United States, including Twitter, are fighting back.
Black vote may prove key in Chicago mayoral electionsA little known candidate, Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia, is giving Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel a tough race. But he will need to attract the support of a more racially diverse coalition if he wants to become Chicago’s first Hispanic mayor.
Why the Boston Marathon bombing trial must stay in BostonDespite three appeals to relocate the trial, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will be tried in Boston for the events of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.
Virginia to compensate victims of state's forced sterilization programVirginia lawmakers have passed a measure in which those who were forcibly sterilized are to be awarded $25,000 each. Many view the measure as formal recognition of the injustice inherent in the program.
South Carolina college comes out against homosexualityIn 2014, two male student-athletes at Erskine College in South Carolina announced they are gay. Now, the small Christian school has issued a statement taking a stance against homosexuality.
FCC passes net neutrality: what this means for AmericansAfter months of fierce national debate, the FCC voted on Thursday to pass the most sweeping net neutrality rules in US history. For anyone who uses the Internet, around 87 percent of Americans, this is a really big deal.
DC joins states legalizing marijuana: How it's different in the nation's capitalThe District of Columbia legalized marijuana Thursday, pitting the laws of the nation's capital against those of the federal government.
Snow weighs heavy on southern tree limbsStates in the southeastern US are dealing with a significant snow storm Thursday.
US charges three men with conspiring to support Islamic StateThe arrests come at a time when governments around the world are struggling to diminish the impact of the Islamic State propaganda war and quell the flow of foreign fighters to Syria.
Chicago surprise: Why Rahm Emanuel faces a runoff – and can he survive it?Rahm Emanuel still faces criticism over his decision to close 50 schools and response to gang violence. His rival, Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia, aims to tie the mayor to Wall Street and the '1 percent.'
Purina lawsuit: Does one of its products cause pets to become ill?A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Purina, claiming one of its dog food products includes toxic ingredients. Purina vigorously denies the allegation.
