Georgia Garvey reports: Two witnesses told investigators they were paid during a probe by Northwestern University journalism students into a 1978 shotgun slaying that the students believe unjustly sent a Harvey man to prison for life, prosecutors alleged Tuesday. The witnesses told investigators with the Cook County state’s attorney’s office that they were given money…
KY: Pet privacy law restricts shared information
Cory Stark A new pet privacy law is taking some heat from animal control agencies. They’re concerned because the law restricts information that can be shared by veterinarians. Kentucky lawmakers passed legislation that restricts veterinarians from sharing any pet record information with animal shelters, grooming facilities and any individual who may have found a stray…
Obama stares down Patriot Act criticism
Susan Crabtree reports: The Obama administration is standing firm in its support of several George W. Bush-era Patriot Act powers in the face of sharp criticism from civil rights groups, liberal Democrats and a Dec. 31 deadline to extend key provisions of the bill. The Justice Department recently reiterated its request for Congress to extend…
Leaders set to include ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal in defense authorization bill
Eric Zimmermann reports: Democratic leaders plan to repeal the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in next year’s defense authorization bill. Both the White House and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) back the strategy of using the defense bill to change policy on gays in the military, an aide to Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told The…