WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wages and benefits grew in the spring at the slowest pace in 33 years, stark evidence that stronger hiring isn’t lifting paychecks much for most Americans. The slowdown also likely reflects a sharp drop-off in bonus and incentive pay for some workers. The employment cost index… Read More
Virginia’s Gilmore makes 17 GOP presidential candidates
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican presidential contest has grown to 17 candidates with Wednesday’s entry of Jim Gilmore. The former Virginia governor told The Associated Press earlier this month that he would announce his candidacy in early August. On Wednesday, he filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission…. Read More
GOP leaders plan Senate vote on Planned Parenthood aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will vote before its August recess on a Republican effort to bar federal aid to Planned Parenthood, GOP leaders said Tuesday, as anti-abortion groups clamored for action by lawmakers. Democrats said they will strongly oppose what they called the latest Republican effort to weaken women’s… Read More
Court dismisses lawsuit seeking personhood for 2 NY chimps
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to free two chimpanzees from a New York state university by arguing the human-like animals deserved “personhood” status. State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe writes in a decision made public Thursday that she is bound by a higher… Read More
Feds accuse Philadelphia congressman Fattah of corruption
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah paid off an illegal $1 million campaign loan with federal grants and charitable donations, funneled campaign funds toward his son’s student loans and disguised a lobbyist’s bribe as payment for a Porsche his TV anchor wife never sold, prosecutors said Wednesday in announcing… Read More
US judge rules Greenpeace in contempt for Oregon protest
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday ordered Greenpeace USA to pay a fine of $2,500 for every hour that protesters dangling from a bridge in Oregon continue to block a Royal Dutch Shell icebreaker from leaving for oil drilling in the Arctic. There was no sign that… Read More