December 20, 2015 Texas investigators subpoena Planned Parenthood clinics Texas health investigators visited Planned Parenthood facilities in four cities Thursday, serving subpoenas seeking hundreds of pages of patient and staff records, as well as records related to fetal tissue donations.
December 20, 2015 Massachusetts considers registry for animal cruelty convicts Lawmakers in Massachusetts and several other states are weighing proposals to create registries of animal abusers as a means for ensuring that pets wind up in the care of responsible and humane owners.
December 20, 2015 California bans ‘microbeads’ in victory for environmentalists Environmentalists are beaming after California Gov. Jerry Brown agreed to sign legislation that bans soap, toothpaste and body wash that contain so-called microbeads -- a move that puts added pressure on the industry nationally to phase out the products.
December 20, 2015 Union: Chronic shortage of air traffic controllers a crisis A chronic shortage of controllers has reached a crisis that will lead to widespread flight delays if left unchecked, officials for the union that represents air traffic controllers said Tuesday.
December 20, 2015 Drug inmates with long rap sheets among those freed early A push to overhaul criminal sentencing is prompting the early release of thousands of federal drug prisoners, including some whom prosecutors once described as threats to society, according to an Associated Press review of court records.
December 20, 2015 FAA proposes nearly $2 million fine against drone operator The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday proposed a record $1.9 million fine against an aerial photography company for flying drones in crowded New York and Chicago airspace without permission.
December 20, 2015 New proposal to remove Confederate emblem from Mississippi flag A new proposal seeks a statewide election on removing the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi flag. But it could be years before the issue gets on the ballot, and there's no guarantee voters would accept it.
December 20, 2015 California offering amnesty on traffic debt for poor California is instituting an amnesty program for residents who can't afford to pay off spiraling traffic fines and court fees that have led to millions of driver's licenses being suspended.
December 20, 2015 Maine mayor pushing bill to post welfare recipients’ addresses online A Maine mayor is proposing a controversial name-and-shame strategy for welfare recipients, saying he plans to push a bill requiring the state to publish the names and addresses and other details for “every individual on the dole.”
December 20, 2015 What will Francis say? DC in suspense over pope's address to Congress Pope Francis will become the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress Thursday morning, concluding what has been a wildly successful first leg of his six-day, three-city trip to America.
