Jun 16 Watch Budding recreational pot industry sparks innovation and investment By PBS News Hour Recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado and Washington state, and though it’s still illegal under federal law, more states are considering the move, setting the stage for a potential gold rush that could conceivably rival the repeal of prohibition. Economics… Continue watching
Jun 16 Watch Supreme Court enforces ban on straw purchase of guns, upholds challenge to political speech law By PBS News Hour The Supreme Court ruled that if an individual intends to buy a gun for someone else, he or she must say so. In a separate ruling, the court unanimously supported a challenge to an Ohio law that makes it illegal… Continue watching
Jun 16 What're they smoking in the next high-finance industry? By Simone Pathe Attending a conference for cannabis entrepreneurs and potential investors, Paul Solman heard the latest product pitches and saw the newest paraphernalia. But what about the people behind this growth industry -- what's their relationship to the substance? For some, it's… Continue reading
Jun 16 Executive order to protect LGBT federal contractors against discrimination By Julie Pace, Associated Press The move follows years of pressure from gay rights groups for Obama to act on his own while a broader employment non-discrimination measure languishes on Capitol Hill. The Senate passed the legislation last year but the bill stalled in the… Continue reading
Jun 16 What Social Security's Survivors Planner won't tell you about taking widows benefits By Laurence Kotlikoff Thanks to one of Social Security's nasty "gotchas," the survivor benefits that a widow(er) collects depend on when the late spouse took retirement benefits. Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff shows how the collection strategy of one deceased husband makes all… Continue reading
Jun 16 Many new patients overwhelmed by health care jargon By Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News Health officials have spent much of the past year promoting the Affordable Care Act and enrolling people in coverage. Now they need to help consumers understand the basics of health insurance and how to use their policies, health care providers… Continue reading
Jun 16 Supreme Court sides with gun control groups on straw purchase law By Sam Hananel, Associated Press The ruling settles a split among appeals courts over federal gun laws intended to prevent sham buyers from obtaining guns for the sole purpose of giving them to another person. The laws were part of Congress' effort to make sure… Continue reading
Jun 16 Kerry signals U.S. willing to cooperate with Iran to end violence in Iraq By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Kerry said Washington is "open to discussions" with Tehran if the Iranians can help end the violence and restore confidence in the Iraqi government. Asked about possible military cooperation with Iran, Kerry said he would "not rule out anything that… Continue reading
Jun 15 Southeast especially vulnerable to tornadoes, study shows By Victoria Pasquantonio A new study says four out of five U.S. states that are most vulnerable to “killer twisters” are in the Southeast, with Florida topping the list. Continue reading
Jun 15 Some high-risk oil and gas wells not inspected by feds By Associated Press Four in 10 new oil and gas wells near national forests and fragile watersheds or otherwise identified as higher pollution risks escape federal inspection, unchecked by an agency struggling to keep pace with America's drilling boom, according to an Associated… Continue reading