[U.S.] Chicago Says It Will Close 54 Public Schools

Chicago Says It Will Close 54 Public Schools
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/22/education/chicago-says-it-will-close-54-public-schools.html
CHICAGO - After weeks of uncertainty, principals at 54 public schools here officially learned from city officials on Thursday that their schools would close, with 11 more to share space with other schools.

Skelos opposes movie industry exemption from gun law
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/suit-challenges-ny-gun-control-law-article-1.1295690
The dust is still settling from Tuesday's management earthquake at First Niagara Bank, in which its chief executive officer, John Koelmel, was... Read more » · Life & Arts · Books & Poetry · Refresh · Home & gardening · NeXt · Taste · Travel · Celebrations ...

Waiting For Colorado's Drought To Improve? It's Going To Be Awhile
http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Warm-spring-continued-drought-predicted-for-US-4373635.php
The U.S. drought outlook shows much of Colorado will remain dry throughout the spring and summer, with little to no relief from the dry spell.

Famous groundhog pleads 'not guilty'
http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/butler-county/Prosecutor-indicts-Punxsutawney-Phil-for-early-spring-prediction/-/13601510/19413228/-/njalrkz/-/index.html
That's what one of his handlers, John Griffiths, declares in response to an “indictment” that the Butler County prosecutor issued Thursday against Pennsylvania's famous weather-predicting groundhog.

Senate Votes Against Key Health-Law Tax
http://560wgan.com/Senate-may-back-symbolic-repeal-of-medical-device-/11435227?newsId=201275
WASHINGTONâ€"The Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday night to repeal a tax on medical-device sales, despite the fact that the levy helps finance the health-care overhaul.

Bell corruption trial ended with jury intimidation, attorneys say
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Mistrial-declared-in-California-corruption-case-4370416.php
Jury deliberations in the Bell corruption scandal were "very, very tense," according to a juror who described a day of rancor that the judge in the case said seemed to her like “all hell has broken loose.

Why Republicans Are Saying 'I Do' To Gay Marriage
http://swampland.time.com/2013/03/21/why-republicans-are-saying-i-do-to-gay-marriage/
Senator Rob Portman speaks with reporters outside of Speaker John Boehner's office, on Capitol Hill, Dec. 20, 2012 in Washington, D.C.. Email · Print; Share. Facebook · Twitter · Tumblr · LinkedIn · StumbleUpon · Reddit · Digg · Mixx · Delicious · Google+ ...

Christie opposes conversation therapy but will he sign a ban into law?
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Christie-Harsh-new-flood-maps-will-be-scaled-back-4374703.php
(CNN) - A spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Chris Christie said Thursday that he "does not believe in conversion therapy" for homosexuals, but did not say whether the New Jersey governor plans to support a ban on the practice that's under consideration ...

Marine from southwest Illinois killed in Nevada training accident
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-downstate-illinois-soldier-killed-0322-20130322,0,1275967.story
A Marine from southwest Illinois was one of seven Marines killed Monday when a 60 mm mortar round exploded prematurely in its launching tube during a live-fire exercise in Nevada.

TJ Lane: High school shooter laughs, gives victim's families middle finger
http://www.imperfectparent.com/topics/2013/03/19/t-j-lane-high-school-shooter-laughs-gives-victims-families-middle-finger/
High school shooter and killer T.J. Lane flips off and swear at victim's family members. Screen shot via ABC News. T.J. Lane, the Ohio 17-year-old who went on a shooting spree in Feb. 2012, killing three teenage boys, his half brother and leaving another boy ...