MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Defense attorneys for the man accused of kidnapping a Wisconsin teenager and killing her parents acknowledged Wednesday that they're starting the case at a disadvantage after their client gave detectives a detailed confession and said they're not sure he can get a fair trial in the state.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The head of the Los Angeles teachers union hinted at contract talks resuming Wednesday as striking educators in the nation's second-largest school district protested outside hundreds of schools for a third day.
NEW YORK (AP) - Officials say some well-known jewelry stores that promote sparkling romance engaged in credit practices that consumers might not love. New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Wednesday an $11 million settlement with Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers Inc. The settlement involves several brands, including Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria of Jewelry.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A legislative proposal in Connecticut would mandate instruction on climate change in public schools statewide, beginning in elementary school. Connecticut already has adopted science standards that call for teaching of climate change, but if the bill passes it is believed that it would be the country's first to write such a requirement into law.
MILWAUKEE (AP) - The nation's craft beer taps are being squeezed by the government shutdown, which has put new releases on hold, prevented new breweries from opening and stopped shipments of some suds across state lines. The partial shutdown halted operations at the federal agency that regulates alcohol production and distribution. That means government employees can't issue the permits needed for the beer to flow.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has got satisfaction: The Rolling Stones are among the headliners for the 50th anniversary festival. Organizers on Tuesday confirmed reports that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will play. Also headlining the 8-day event, which runs April 25-28 and May 2-5, are Katy Perry, the Dave Matthews Band, Al Green, Pitbull, Santana, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aaron Neville and gospel great Shirley Caesar.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Why now? Despite his seemingly endless string of racist comments and insults about immigrants, Iowa Rep. Steve King had the Republican Party's backing through nine elections and GOP presidential contenders often lined up for his endorsement in the state's lead-off caucuses.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon's two senators on Tuesday urged the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to update federal regulations to permit interstate commerce of food products containing a key non-psychoactive ingredient of cannabis.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The criminal complaint charging a Wisconsin man with abducting 13-year-old Jayme Closs and killing her parents laid out the case in detail and offered a possible road map for how prosecutors will seek a conviction in the girl's 88-day ordeal. The 12-page complaint against Jake Thomas Patterson focused almost entirely on Jayme's abduction and her escape , without lingering on her time in captivity.
