For the first time in decades, fewer than 100 people were sentenced to death in America this year. Seventy-eight people were handed the death sentence in courts in 2011–the lowest number since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1978, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Death sentences have been declining since 1998, the
The Justice Department released a 22-page report today accusing Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of presiding over officers who engage in racial profiling and infringe upon people’s civil rights. The federal government is giving the controversial Arizona sheriff until January 4 to agree to make changes to his program or face legal action. Justice department
Continue reading …The low-tech days of cheaters writing answers on their hands are over, according to this round up of the new and digital ways kids are finding to cheat on tests by USA Today’s Greg Toppo. Some companies sell tiny earbuds that let test-takers communicate with a helper outside the exam room. (In China, two students taking
Continue reading …As Congress continues to mull whether to extend unemployment benefits, a new government study bolsters the case for doing so. Jobless Americans who receive benefits spend more time looking for work than those who don’t receive them (pdf), according to a new study by Congress’s non-partisan Joint Economic Committee. The finding undercuts the claim, advanced
Continue reading …For most Americans, the holidays are a time for happiness and celebration with family and friends–or at least for a few precious days of hard-earned relaxation. But when you’re out of work and struggling to get by, the season can make things even harder. Barry Viprino, a 30-year old financial adviser from Cape Cod, Mass.,
Continue reading …Over a decade after leaving Bain Capital, the private equity firm he helped start, Mitt Romney continues to receive millions of dollars from the company, thanks to a retirement deal he negotiated, the New York Times reported Monday. The paper also notes that much of this income likely is taxed at a much lower rate
Continue reading …The oil industry spends millions each year to shape its image and shift the public debate in its favor. But amid growing concern over climate change — and over the industry’s clout in Washington — it can sometimes find itself losing control of its message pretty quickly. That’s what happened earlier this month, when the
Continue reading …BROWNSVILLE, Texas—Pamela Taylor’s living room has a Santa-hat-wearing stuffed dog atop a red doily on her coffee table, poinsettias near the couch, and, in the center of the room, an angel-topped Christmas tree with a few wrapped presents underneath. Outside, the Christmas spirit is less visible, amid repeated warnings to KEEP OUT—though a “Merry Christmas!”
Continue reading …Five months after the military’s ban on openly gay service expired, a photo of a young gay Marine’s homecoming kiss has gone viral. Nearly 15,000 people have liked the picture on Facebook, which was posted in a group for gay Marines on Saturday. The Marine, Brandon Morgan, posted a response on his Facebook wall according
Continue reading …At least 13 people are reported dead after a series of tornadoes blazed through towns in Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri Tuesday night. The town of Harrisburg, Illinois is nearly leveled, with at least 10 killed, according to the AP. Below, watch nighttime footage of a funnel cloud touching down near Hutchinson, Kansas: And here’s footage of
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