The state of Michigan will pay all Flint water bills in May to encourage the flushing of lead from old pipes and the recoating of plumbing with a corrosion chemical. Gov. Rick Snyder made the announcement Thursday at a news conference with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, who unveiled an advertising… Read More
Government declares man dead – while he’s still alive
A Lincoln, Nebraska man says he’s not dead, despite what the Social Security Administration has said. Chuck Zellers learned of his demise in March after his Social Security deposit was removed from his bank account while he and his wife, Alice, were in Arizona, he told the Lincoln Journal Star…. Read More
Bridge conspiracy suspect wants identity kept secret
At least one of the people involved but not criminally charged for their role in the politically motivated 2013 lane closures of the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey wants to keep a list of unindicted co-conspirators from becoming public. Someone included on the list that a judge has ordered… Read More
King Obama demands transgender bathrooms
For much of President Barack Obama’s eight years in office, his administration has been heavily criticized for what opponents say is frequent federal overreach and increasingly liberal demands. Could this be Obama’s most heavy-handed example? According to the White House, public schools must permit transgender students to use whatever bathroom and… Read More
Rookie NBA coach makes surprise announcement
Scott Skiles has stepped down as coach of the Orlando Magic after just one year, the somewhat surprising decision coming about a month after the conclusion of a frustrating regular season. Skiles was 35-47 this season, his lone year leading the Magic — the team that he spent five seasons… Read More
States prepare to return to grizzly hunting
Hunters soon could be chasing grizzly bears across the ridges of the Rocky Mountains, leaving three states to drum up plans to ensure the iconic species won’t be snuffed out soon after recovering from threats to their survival. The Obama administration in March proposed lifting protections for the more than… Read More
World’s oldest person dies
Susannah Mushatt Jones, the world’s oldest person, has died in New York at age 116. Robert Young, a senior consultant for the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, said Jones died Thursday night at a public housing facility for seniors in Brooklyn where she had lived for more than three decades…. Read More
Russia whines about US missile defense site
A U.S missile defense site in Romania aimed at protecting Europe from ballistic missile threats became operational Thursday, drawing an angry reaction from Russia, which opposes having the advanced military system in its former area of influence. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tried to reassure Russia as he spoke at a… Read More
Genetically engineered or Zika mosquitos? Tell the FDA which you prefer
What are you more afraid of, the Zika virus, or genetically engineered bugs being released in the wild? If you feel strongly about this issue, you have until midnight Friday to make your opinion known as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers whether to approve an effort to kill… Read More
Pope to decide if women can be deacons
Pope Francis said Thursday he is willing to create a commission to study whether women can be deacons in the Catholic Church, signaling openness to letting women serve in ordained ministry currently reserved to men. Francis agreed to a proposal to create an official study commission during a closed-door meeting… Read More