Reuters US Domestic News Summary

08/19/2016 8:55

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

U.S. judge permanently blocks Florida law to end abortion funding

A federal judge on Thursday permanently blocked parts of a Florida law that aimed to cut off state funding for preventive health services at clinics that also provide abortions. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle had issued a preliminary order in June after state Planned Parenthood affiliates challenged provisions as unconstitutional. The June order had come just before the restrictions were to take effect.

Two U.S. swimmers land in Miami after Olympic Committee apology

Two U.S. swimmers accused of fabricating a story about being robbed at gunpoint during the Rio Games landed in Miami from Brazil early on Friday, a Reuters witness said. Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were moved to business class and covered themselves to avoid the media during an overnight flight, after they were jeered leaving the Rio airport.

Firefighters gain ground on California wildfire

Firefighters were gaining ground on Friday against a wildfire burning in a Southern California mountain pass that has forced some 80,000 residents to flee their homes and has consumed dozens of structures. The Blue Cut fire, named for a narrow gorge near its origin in the Cajon Pass about 75 miles (120 km) northeast of Los Angeles, has blackened 35,969 acres of drought-parched heavy brush and chaparral after breaking out on Tuesday.

Clinton told FBI Colin Powell suggested she use private email: NYT

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton told federal investigators that former Secretary of State Colin Powell suggested she use a personal email account, the New York Times reported late on Thursday. Clinton has for over a year been dogged by questions about her use of a private email account while she was the nation's top diplomat.

Gun advocates file lawsuit to overturn California open-carry restrictions

A California gun rights group has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's restrictions on openly carrying firearms. The California Rifle and Pistol Association, the local arm of the National Rifle Association, and four gun advocates filed suit against Democratic Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Sheriff James McDonnell on Wednesday, saying state law granted cities and counties too much power to restrict the open carry of firearms by residents who wish to do so.

Lawyer accused of fraud by U.S. in BP oil spill case is acquitted

A prominent Texas lawyer was acquitted on Thursday of charges he made up thousands of fake clients to sue BP Plc for damages that the oil company caused in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico spill, court records show. Mikal Watts was among five defendants found not guilty by a Mississippi federal jury of charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud a program set up by BP to compensate people who suffered economic losses from the spill. Two other defendants were found guilty.

Former Chairman of U.S. Joint Chiefs, Gen. John Vessey Jr., dies: NYT

The former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during former president Ronald Reagan's administration, General John W. Vessey Jr., died on Thursday night, the New York Times reported. He was 94. Vessey's daughter, Sarah Vessey Krawczyk, confirmed the former four-star general's death at his home in North Oaks, Minnesota to the newspaper.

Witness in N.Y. cleric killing ID'd someone other than suspect

A potential witness in the New York City shooting deaths of a Muslim cleric and his assistant picked out someone during a police lineup who was not the suspect now facing murder charges, a prosecutor said on Thursday. Assistant District Attorney Peter McCormack said during a court appearance in the borough of Queens that the potential witness identified a "filler" from the lineup.

California mayor pleads not guilty in strip poker scandal

The mayor of Stockton, California, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to criminal charges stemming from a strip poker game he is accused of playing while furnishing beer to minors at a summer camp he hosts for underprivileged children. Anthony Ray Silva, 41, was arraigned in Amador County Superior Court on a felony eavesdropping charge and three misdemeanor counts - contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child endangerment and supplying alcoholic beverages to underage persons.

U.S. judge rejects Uber's driver expenses settlement

A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by Uber Technologies Inc to settle a class action lawsuit with drivers who claimed they were employees and entitled to expenses. In a case that has been closely watched in Silicon Valley, where many companies use on-demand workers, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled the settlement was not fair or adequate for Uber drivers.

08/19/2016 8:55