Reuters US Domestic News Summary

09/14/2016 19:51

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

Snowden backers press Obama for pardon before presidency ends

Three rights groups launched a campaign on Wednesday to try to persuade President Barack Obama to pardon former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden on U.S. theft and espionage charges before Obama leaves office in January. The American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said the time was right to rally support for a pardon for Snowden, who leaked documents about top-secret U.S. surveillance programs to journalists in 2013, fled to Hong Kong and was granted asylum in Russia. The ACLU provides legal representation for Snowden.

New U.S. black history museum may help dialog on race: official

The new National Museum of African American History and Culture may help heal the persistent problem of U.S. racism when it opens in 10 days, the head of the Smithsonian Institution said on Wednesday. The $540 million museum will be inaugurated by President Barack Obama as racial and cultural differences dominate the national scene, and is an ideal place for a dialog about them, Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton said.

Soda lobby, others sue to block Philadelphia's soda tax

The U.S. soda lobby and small businesses are suing to block Philadelphia's soft drinks tax, marking the latest clash between the industry and public officials seeking to boost revenue and combat health epidemics like obesity and diabetes. The American Beverage Association (ABA), which represents Coca-Cola Co and PepsiCo Inc, kicked off a broadly-anticipated legal challenge on Wednesday, asking a Pennsylvania judge to enjoin and declare invalid a new soda tax due to take effect in January, according to documents filed in Philadelphia County Court.

Arrest made in arson fire at Florida mosque where gunman prayed

A Florida man who investigators say posted anti-Islamic material on social media was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of arson in the fire that badly damaged a mosque attended by the gunman who committed the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, police said. The arson suspect, Joseph Michael Schreiber, 32, faces at least 30 years in prison if convicted on pending charges of deliberately starting the blaze at the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, where Orlando gunman Omar Mateen worshiped, police said.

Muslim woman set on fire in New York not targeted due to faith: police

New York police investigating an attack in which a Muslim woman's clothing was set alight are no longer probing the case as a hate crime after linking the suspects to similar assaults on non-Muslims, authorities said on Wednesday. A man who was part of a group set fire to the 35-year-old woman's traditional Islamic attire as she window shopped outside a luxury clothing store in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday, police said in a statement. The victim quickly patted out the flames and was unharmed.

Storm Julia threatens flooding in coastal South Carolina

Tropical Storm Julia dumped heavy rain on Georgia and threatened flooding in parts of South Carolina on Wednesday as it plowed slowly north along the U.S. Southeast coast, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm, after drifting along coastal Georgia, had gusting winds around 40 mph (65 kph) with higher blasts. Heavy rain combined with high tides raised concerns of flooding in downtown Charleston, South Carolina and other coastal parts of the state into Thursday morning, forecasters said.

Man accused in Arizona freeway shootings sues state, county

A man formerly charged with a string of Phoenix-area freeway shootings has sued the state and county, claiming he was falsely arrested and imprisoned for crimes he did not commit, his attorneys said on Wednesday. The lawsuit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court on behalf of 22-year-old landscaper Leslie Merritt Jr, says that he was a victim of a "malicious prosecution" as authorities aggressively tried to pin him to four of the 11 shootings that terrorized area drivers last year.

George W. Bush to put out book of his paintings to help veterans

Former President George W. Bush will put out a book of his paintings of veterans to raise money to support those who served in the military, using the hobby he took up after leaving the White House. The book, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors," will be published by Crown Publishing Group on Feb. 28, 2017, his office and the publisher said on Wednesday.

Fake bomb, Muslim attire used in Sept. 11-timed robbery plot: U.S.

A New York man has been arrested for plotting to rob a store around the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in which he planned to wear traditional Muslim attire and display a fake bomb, federal officials said. Juneal Ali, 29, was arrested by police on Tuesday and charged with attempted robbery and conspiracy, a complaint in Manhattan federal court said. At a court hearing later on Tuesday, a judge ordered Ali to be detained.

Chicago City Council passes tax for pensions, airport bonds

The last piece of Chicago's pension funding puzzle fell into place on Wednesday with final approval of a tax on water and sewer usage to save the largest of the city's four retirement systems from going broke. The tax, passed in a 40-10 city council vote, is projected to raise an estimated $240 million a year once it is fully phased in over five years, helping Chicago gradually increase contributions to its municipal retirement system, which is projected to run out of cash within 10 years.

09/14/2016 19:51