In a gift to many musicians, movie-makers and other content-creators, a federal judge has found that the song “Happy Birthday To You” is entirely in the public domain. But the move could mean millions lost for the music publishing company ...
Read More »Kentucky clerk could head back to court over licenses
She’s already spent five days in jail, and now a Kentucky clerk could be back in court soon for altering marriage license forms issued to same-sex couples. On Monday, lawyers for two gay couples and two straight couples questioned the ...
Read More »Former peanut exec gets 28 years in prison for outbreak
Before federal marshals led him from the courtroom en route to prison, possibly for the rest of his life, Stewart Parnell apologized years after his company’s peanut butter spawned a deadly outbreak of salmonella poisoning. The former Peanut Corporation of ...
Read More »US Senate passes Warren bill to require settlement details
A bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren that aims to give the public more details about settlements reached by federal enforcement agencies has passed the Senate. The Massachusetts Democrat says the goal of the bill is to require the ...
Read More »Starbucks: Mobile order-and-pay now available nationally
Starbucks says its mobile app that lets people order and pay in advance will be available nationally starting Tuesday. That means lattes, breakfast sandwiches and other items you want could theoretically be waiting for you by the time you arrive. ...
Read More »Profs worry mandatory reporting will keep students quiet
Michael Williams wants his young college students to feel they can come to him for help. He’s eager to guide them with an assignment or offer a sympathetic ear when things go sour in their personal lives. But if they ...
Read More »US Treasury decision on $10 bill will happen by end of year
The Treasury Department is on track to announce by the end of this year which woman will become the first on U.S. paper currency in more than a century. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew set off a furor in June when ...
Read More »US home sales slide in August after 3 months of solid gains
U.S. home sales slid in August by the most since January as tight supplies and rising prices discouraged potential buyers. The National Association of Realtors said Monday that sales of existing homes fell 4.8 percent from the previous month to ...
Read More »GOP leaders face tough test in Congress to keep gov’t open
Congress’ Republican leaders face stark tests as they fight to keep the government open past month’s end, amid fears a shutdown could imperil their party’s White House ambitions. For House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, any wrong move could throw his ...
Read More »Catholic lawmakers thrilled by upcoming visit of Francis
House Speaker John Boehner has been trying for 20 years to get a pope to come talk to Congress, and now it’s finally happening. To House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, it’s “thrilling beyond words.” This week’s historic address by Pope ...
Read More »GOP official apologizes for writing atop Benton painting
The vice chairwoman of the Missouri Republican Party is apologizing for placing a business card atop a Thomas Hart Benton painting in the Missouri Statehouse and then writing on the card. The Kansas City Star reports that Vice Chairwoman Valinda ...
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