Miss. Man Accused of Sending Ricin Letters

CORINTH, Miss — A Mississippi man was arrested Wednesday, accused of sending letters to President Barack Obama and a senator that tested positive for poisonous ricin and set the nation’s capital on edge a day after the Boston Marathon bombings.
Paul Kevin Curtis, 45, was arrested at 5:15 p…

Illinois House Votes to Legalize Medical Marijuanna

The Illinois House of Representatives voted narrowly on Wednesday to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes, bringing the state a step closer to becoming the 21st in the United States to allow some form of pot use to treat illness.

The chamber voted 61 to 57 in favor…

Senate Blocks Expanded Gun Background Checks

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bipartisan plan to expand background checks for gun buyers, dealing a crippling blow to President Barack Obama’s campaign to curb gun violence after the Newtown school massacre.

Despite emotional pleas from families of victims of the Newtown, Connecticut, shootings and broad public support…

Letter Sent to President Obama Contains Suspicious Substance

A letter addressed to President Barack Obama containing a suspicious substance was received at a White House mail screening facility on Tuesday, the Secret Service said on Wednesday.

The facility is remote and not located near the White House itself, spokesman Edwin Donovan said in a statement.

“This facility routinely…

Gunman Holding Firefighters Hostage is Killed

SUWANEE, Ga. (AP) — A gunman who was having financial problems held four firefighters for hours in a suburban Atlanta home, demanding his cable and power be turned back on, before being shot dead when SWAT members stormed the house, authorities said Wednesday. The hostages had cuts and bruises from explosions…