South Carolina takes down Confederate flag

Justice
Politics
Jul 10, 2015

With little fanfare, the banner was lowered from its perch alongside a Confederate memorial near the Capitol.

Nebraska lawmakers vote to abolish death penalty

Politics
May 21, 2015

Nebraska lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday to abolish the death penalty by a big enough margin to override a threatened veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

The measure passed 32-15 in the state's unicameral Legislature. It would replace the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison.

If lawmakers override the expected veto, Nebraska would become the first conservative state to repeal the death penalty since North Dakota in 1973, the Lincoln Journal Star reports.

Indiana lawmakers agree to amend 'religious freedom' law

Politics
Apr 2, 2015

Indiana lawmakers reached agreement to amend Indiana's controversial "religious freedom" law to ensure it does not discriminate against gay and lesbian customers of Indiana businesses.