Valentine Special

Attorney General: Record Number of Voting Rights Inquiries

Holder says Justice Dept. is looking at more than 100 cases of possible discrimination as many states look to redraw political maps before presidential election

2012-01-30

Pete Yost The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Eric Holder said Thursday the Justice Department opened a record number of more than 100 new investigations into possible voting rights discrimination across the country last year. Read the complete article

Freddie Mac Bets Against American Homeowners

Report from ProPublica and NPR shows that mortgage giant has strong financial interest to keep loan interest rates high, even though its mission is to help cash-strapped families

2012-01-30

Jesse Eisinger, ProPublica and Chris Arnold, NPR News

Freddie Mac, the taxpayer-owned mortgage giant, has placed multibillion-dollar bets that pay off if homeowners stay trapped in expensive mortgages with interest rates well above current rates. Read the complete article

Revealing Slain Victims' Rap Sheets Draws Fire

Families say practice is insensitive and sends message that violence was justified

2012-01-30

Mary Foster The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- As Mike Ainsworth walked his two sons to a school bus stop, he heard a woman being carjacked scream, and ran to help. The woman was not hurt, police said, but the Good Samaritan was shot to death by a suspect who fled. Read the complete article

Mayor: Connecticut Police Chief's Retirement 'Selfless'

East Haven officials have been under fire since FBI arrested four officers for allegedly abusing Latinos

2012-01-30

Stephen Singer The Associated Press

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- A police chief under fire for his handling of anti-Latino abuse allegations that led to the arrests of four officers last week is retiring from office, the mayor said Monday, describing his departure as a "selfless act" intended to help the town heal. Read the complete article

Oakland Police Could Face Federal Takeover

"This department finds itself woefully behind its peers around the state and nation," writes district judge

2012-01-29

Paul Elias The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Mayor Jean Quan vowed Wednesday to quickly reform the scandal-plagued Oakland Police Department after a frustrated judge threatened a federal takeover if it fails to quickly make good on changes agreed to nine years ago. Read the complete article

A Troubling New Taste for Thai Elephant Meat

After finding two slaughtered animals last month, officials worry of more killing for consumption

2012-01-29

Thanyarat Doksone The Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) -- A new taste for eating elephant meat - everything from trunks to sex organs - has emerged in Thailand and could pose a new threat to the survival of the species. Read the complete article

AP Interview: Wikipedia Founder Hails Role in US

Jimmy Wales says Web encyclopedia stood up to Internet piracy legislation because of perceived flaws

2012-01-29

Frank Jordans The Associated Press

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) -- The founder of Wikipedia hailed the online encyclopedia's role in helping halt U.S. legislation aimed at cracking down on Internet piracy, saying the proposed bills needed to be stopped because they were flawed. Read the complete article

Chicago’s Hull House Closes Doors After More Than 120 years

Social-services org offered job training and housing help to thousands, but fell on hard economic times

2012-01-28

CHICAGO (AP) -- Hull House, the Chicago social services organization founded more than 120 years ago by Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, closed Friday after running out of money. Read the complete article

In the Era of Big Boxes, a Day for the Little Guy

Ohio hardware store sees huge sales after thankful customer organizes “cash mob”

2012-01-28

Amy Sancetta The Associated Press

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (AP) -- It began quietly, as an email to 40 friends. But when a steady stream of customers began coming through the door before the family-owned Chagrin Hardware had even opened for the day on Saturday, it was clear that it had turned into much more than that. Read the complete article

Activists and Bloggers Fear Twitter Censorship

Social media company announced it is refining technology on country-by-country basis

2012-01-28

Michael Liedtke AP Technology Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Bloggers and activists from China, the Middle East and Latin America said Friday they were afraid that new Twitter policies could allow governments to censor messages, stifling free expression. Read the complete article