Jan 13 Pentagon lays out plan to take back Mosul, Raqqa from Islamic State group By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press FORT CAMPBELL, KY — Defense Secretary Ash Carter laid out broad plans Wednesday to defeat Islamic State militants and retake the group's key power centers in Iraq and Syria. And he announced that a special commando force has now arrived… Continue reading
Jan 13 U.S. turns to U.N. to screen refugees from Central America By Josh Lederman and Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is planning to expand a program to let would-be migrants from Central America apply for refugee status before they attempt to come to the U.S., Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday. Continue reading
Jan 13 GM, rideshare Lyft to launch first self-driving cars in Austin By News Desk General Motors will launch its first self-driving cars in Texas, but be prepared to share. Continue reading
Jan 13 What did Obama just say? Experts read between the lines By Jenny Marder, Daniel Bush President Barack Obama spent his final State of the Union speech last night defending his record in office on everything from climate change and healthcare to national security and education. But his legacy is complicated, and understanding it requires some… Continue reading
Jan 12 New Jersey may become second state to raise smoking age to 21 By Joshua Barajas New Jersey lawmakers passed a bill Monday that would fine retailers up to $1,000 for selling tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, to people under 21 years of age. Continue reading
Jan 12 Tuning in to State of the Union? Watch for these issues By Nancy Benac, Associated Press The White House is promising a nontraditional address for President Barack Obama's final State of the Union. Continue reading
Jan 12 Senate rejects Rand Paul’s ‘Audit the Fed’ legislation By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The Senate on Tuesday blocked legislation calling for tougher audits of the Federal Reserve. Continue reading
Jan 12 State Department to review 29,000 pages of Clinton aide’s emails By Stephen Braun, Associated Press The State Department has agreed to review 29,000 pages of emails from Huma Abedin, a close aide to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, from their days at the State Department for possible public release under a new legal agreement with… Continue reading
Jan 12 Florida death penalty system is unconstitutional, Supreme Court rules By Sam Hananel, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Florida's unique system for sentencing people to death is unconstitutional because it gives too much power to judges — and not enough to juries — to decide capital sentences. Continue reading