[U.S.] Colorado prison chief shot dead on eve of gun laws signing

Colorado prison chief shot dead on eve of gun laws signing
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57575295/colo-police-look-for-car-in-officials-killing/
By Keith Coffman. DENVER | Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:12pm EDT. DENVER (Reuters) - The head of Colorado's prison system was shot to death as he answered the doorbell at his home in what police said may have been a targeted slaying linked to his ...

Five of 6 ex-Bell council members found guilty in corruption trial
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57575396-504083/former-mayor-convicted-in-california-corruption-trial/
A Los Angeles jury convicted five of six former council members of stealing from the working-class city of Bell in a corruption scandal that became a national synonym for outrageous municipal salaries and rogue governance.

Cuomo Favors Easing New York's Newly Passed Gun Law
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/nyregion/cuomo-seeks-to-ease-a-newly-passed-gun-restriction.html
ALBANY - In the wake of the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York pushed through the State Legislature gun control measures that included not only a tougher assault weapons ban but also a tighter ...

Christie: '12 banner year for NJ tourism despite Sandy
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/shore-kids-wowed-govs-copter-white-house-pals-18775500
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- In spite of Superstorm Sandy, New Jersey's tourism industry set a record in 2012, generating nearly $40 billion in demand, Gov.

Jury: Death for 'Craigslist killer' Richard Beasley
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21872757
A jury has recommended the death penalty for a man found guilty of luring men to their deaths with bogus jobs ads on the Craigslist website.

Man Charged With Plotting Against US in Nigeria
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/0320/Suspected-Al-Qaeda-operative-to-be-tried-in-Brooklyn-court
A man who prosecutors said was an overseas operative of Al Qaeda during the years following the Sept. 11 attacks was charged in Brooklyn with a host of terrorism charges, in the latest example of a foreigner accused of acts of terrorism abroad being ...

Police snipers kill Indiana man who shot ex, held toddler hostage
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/police-bus-shooting-suspect-holding-child-hostage-18775105
Two people were dead in Fort Wayne, Ind., after a man pulled his ex-girlfriend off a bus Wednesday and shot her in broad daylight, then ran away, police said.

Immigration reform pushed back in Congress
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/20/for-some-in-gop-immigration-reform-moving-too-fast
With a small group of Senators still working on an immigration reform plan, the chairman of a key Senate committee said Wednesday he does not see his panel doing anything on the controversial subject until at least May.

Biggest Drag on Economy? Washington
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324373204578372441116295124.html
Housing is on its way back. Consumers are spending more readily. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. private industries are hiring. The stock market is up.

Senators examine domestic drones' effect on privacy
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/20/senate-weighs-benefits-privacy-concerns-of-domestic-drones
WASHINGTON - As federal authorities accelerate plans to license thousands of surveillance drones over U.S. soil by late 2015, some legal experts and lawmakers are warning that unmanned aircraft could threaten privacy on an unparalleled scale.

NRA's best friend: gun ban proposals
http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/saunders/article/NRA-s-best-friend-gun-ban-proposals-4371662.php
If you want to know why Sen. Dianne Feinstein's assault-weapon ban couldn't muster 40 votes - that's according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who says he will cut the ban from the Democrats' gun bill - attend an NRA event in Feinstein's backyard.

NYPD Spent 1 Million Hours on Marijuana Arrests
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/nypd-spent-1-million-hours-marijuana-arrests
The Drug Policy Alliance found that between the years of 2002 and 2012, the New York Police Department spent about a million hours arresting marijuana users.

Secret report raises alarms on intelligence blind spots because of AQ focus
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/19/exclusive-no-more-drones-for-cia.html
A panel of White House advisers warned President Obama in a secret report that U.S. spy agencies were paying inadequate attention to China, the Middle East and other national security flash points because they had become too focused on military ...

Alaska Zoo's littlest polar bear
http://media.watoday.com.au/national/selections/alaska-zoos-littlest-polar-bear-4127272.html
RAW VISION: Orphaned polar cub is making its temporary home at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. 21/03/13. Pregnant Kate gets 'Baby on Board' badge (Video Thumbnail).

Sweeping pension-cuts bill fails in state Senate; smaller teachers bill passes
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-illinois-senate-pension-reform-0321-20130321,0,6255605.story
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Senate Wednesday approved a plan to cut working teachers' pensions while rejecting a more sweeping plan, sending mixed messages about where the debate over one of the state's biggest financial problems will go next.

Man accused of slapping 2-year-old on plane pleads not guilty
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/executive-accused-slapping-crying-toddler-plane-pleads-guilty/story?id=18774192
The man accused of slapping a 2-year-old aboard a Delta flight to Atlanta pleaded not guilty to assault charges. Related. View Larger · child slapped photo.