Chris Christie launches 2016 presidential bid

Chris Christie launches 2016 presidential bid
Source: Prison chief, 11 others put on leave after escapes
Obama's approval rating hits two-year high
Little hope of survivors in Indonesian military plane crash
Crunch time for Greece as IMF debt looms and bailout ends
DOJ cites missteps by police during Ferguson unrest: newspaper
Supreme Court takes up major case on public sector union fees
Republican Christie launches 2016 bid, promises straight talk
Why Chris Christie has to run for president to stay afloat in New Jersey
How state fights against same-sex marriage may backfire
Oklahoma, Florida move quickly to resume lethal injections
Survey shows enough votes to remove Confederate flag in SC
At end of contentious term, justices go out with a bang on lethal injection case
Supreme Court justice wonders whether death penalty violates Constitution
Supreme Court allows Texas abortion clinics to remain open
Stocks tumble on Greece and Puerto Rico debt woes

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 06:51 AM PDT

Yahoo's Bianna Golodryga and guests look at the N.J. governor's chances in a crowded GOP field.

Source: Prison chief, 11 others put on leave after escapes

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:32 AM PDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The superintendent at the northern New York prison where two killers escaped three weeks ago and his deputy in charge of security are among 12 more staff who have been put on administrative leave, officials said Tuesday.

Obama's approval rating hits two-year high

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:41 AM PDT

According to a new CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday, 50 percent of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling his presidency — up 5 points over the most recent survey and his highest approval rating since May 2013.

Little hope of survivors in Indonesian military plane crash

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:04 AM PDT

An aircraft crashes into a residential neighborhood in Indonesia's third-largest city.

Crunch time for Greece as IMF debt looms and bailout ends

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:06 AM PDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — It's crunch time for Greece, with the European part of its international bailout expiring Tuesday and with it any possible access to the remaining rescue loans that it needs to pay its debts.

DOJ cites missteps by police during Ferguson unrest: newspaper

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 08:27 AM PDT

Police responding to race-related protests and riots in Ferguson, Missouri, last summer made a series of missteps, including antagonizing crowds with attack dogs and military-style tactics, according to a U.S. report obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Justice Department report is a summary of a longer report due this week, and reviews the actions of the police departments in Ferguson, St. Louis, and St. Louis County, along with the Missouri Highway Patrol, the Post-Dispatch said.

Supreme Court takes up major case on public sector union fees

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 08:34 AM PDT

By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to take up a case that could weaken public sector unions, a challenge by 10 nonunion public school teachers who say California's requirement that they pay the equivalent of union dues violates their free speech rights. The case comes as some Republican politicians, most notably Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, have taken aim at public and private sector unions, which generally align themselves with Democrats. In 2011, Walker signed a law that limited collective bargaining rights for state workers.

Republican Christie launches 2016 bid, promises straight talk

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 10:31 AM PDT

By Luciana Lopez LIVINGSTON, N.J. (Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie launched an uphill run for the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday with his trademark bluster, offering up his blunt talk and willingness to tackle tough issues as the cure for an ailing country. Christie, once seen as a top 2016 White House contender but now viewed as a long shot, said his dose of New Jersey straight talk could fix a dysfunctional political system and erase the partisan divide in Washington. "I mean what I say and I say what I mean, and that's what America needs right now," Christie told friends, family and supporters at a launch rally at his old high school in suburban Livingston, New Jersey.

Why Chris Christie has to run for president to stay afloat in New Jersey

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The only thing keeping him politically afloat at home is the prospect of a presidential campaign.

How state fights against same-sex marriage may backfire

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Efforts by some states to challenge the Supreme Court ruling will likely prove futile.

Oklahoma, Florida move quickly to resume lethal injections

Posted: 30 Jun 2015 12:30 AM PDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma and Florida moved quickly to resume lethal injections after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the use of midazolam, a sedative that has been used in several problematic executions.

Survey shows enough votes to remove Confederate flag in SC

Posted: 29 Jun 2015 05:05 PM PDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A survey of South Carolina legislators shows there is enough support to remove the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds if all supporters cast a vote.

At end of contentious term, justices go out with a bang on lethal injection case

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The justices will most likely need to cool off before the term begins again in October.

Supreme Court justice wonders whether death penalty violates Constitution

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Supreme Court allows Texas abortion clinics to remain open

Posted: 29 Jun 2015 01:02 PM PDT

The Supreme Court is refusing to allow Texas to enforce restrictions that would force 10 abortion clinics to close.

Stocks tumble on Greece and Puerto Rico debt woes

Posted: 29 Jun 2015 12:30 PM PDT

David Kotok, chief investment officer at Cumberland Advisors, expects the market to be "rocky" and volatile in the face of these cross-Atlantic debt concerns but remains overall bullish on stocks.