N.H. Finds Definition Of Educational Adequacy

"New Hampshire will meet a court-ordered July 1 deadline for defining an adequate education. Yesterday, House and Senate lawmakers approved a compromise definition, which will bring kindergarten to all school districts. After the votes, Gov. John Lynch said that he would sign...

Family Sues VT Police Over Son's Death

"A Corinth family has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against Vermont State Police for the shooting of their mentally ill son, asserting that police troopers displayed “excessive, cruel, terrorizing and unconstitutional conduct” in their fatal confrontation with...

Rights suit alleges RI DCYF failing state’s foster youths

"Children in state foster care are being neglected, molested, beaten, burned with cigarettes and, in one high-profile case, killed, according to a sweeping civil rights lawsuit filed in federal court by the state child advocate, backed by a national watchdog group."

Proposed deal on NH Right-to-Know Law falls apart

"Attorney Peter Smith of Durham serves on the Right to Know Oversight Commission, which has wrestled with the issue for several years. He said the impasse Thursday killed a pretty good compromise. "Because the Senate refused to move, newspapers will have much less ability to...

Man files civil rights complaint against MUSKOGEE jail

Court rules police choke-hold violated rights

"Police officers violated a man's privacy rights when they grabbed him by the throat until he spit out a bag they suspected contained drugs, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Thursday."

Judge orders Los Angeles Archdiocese to release files

"A California judge ruled that the Los Angeles Archdiocese must release the personnel files of Roman Catholic clergy accused of molesting children."

'You're fired,' man canned after saving a woman's life

"Bruley said he was too shaken to call his supervisor immediately after the incident, which occurred just before 2 a.m., but planned to eventually do so. He also said he was acting as a citizen, not an employee, and shouldn't have been punished for trying to protect himself...

Knox County government violated the federal Civil Rights Act

State officials say Knox County government violated the federal Civil Rights Act by deciding to move a branch library farther from the center of East Knoxville's black population before getting public input.

Court Decides E-Mail Rights Were Violated

"Federal investigators overstepped constitutional bounds by searching e-mails without a warrant during a fraud investigation related to an herbal supplement company known for its "Smiling Bob" ads, a federal appeals court ruled Monday."

Lowest Food Supplies in 50 to 100 Years

"the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its first projections of world grain supply and demand for the coming crop year: 2007/08. USDA predicts supplies will plunge to a 53-day equivalent-their lowest level in the 47-year period for which data exists."

Crucial rights collide

"Welcome to the libel case from hell, a collision of crucial rights that has no obvious outcome -- other than a probable claim of injustice from either Thomas or the Chronicle. In the case's latest turn, the company that owns the Chronicle has asked a federal court to...

Poverty, dilapidated housing behind rash of deadly fires in US cities

"Fatal house fires occurred this week in Baltimore, Maryland, and Detroit and Saginaw in Michigan. The three fires claimed a total of 16 lives, including 13 children. All three tragedies shared common features. The victims were poor and lived in neighborhoods that have...

Newspaper's independent testing leads to reporter's arrest

"A newspaper reporter collecting soil samples at a New Jersey school site recently closed because of pesticide contamination was arrested Saturday and charged with misdemeanor trespassing."