Criminal legal reform advocates and law experts say the case could become a turning point in the fight against mandatory minimum sentencing laws.
Author: Christine Fernando, USA TODAY
Before and after images show Tonga smothered in ash after volcanic eruption causes tsunami
Tonga avoided widespread disaster many had feared, and tsunami waves rose only to about 2.7 feet. See before and after photos of the island nation.
Massive winter storm takes aim at Southern states after dumping snow across upper Midwest
Winter hazard alerts covered parts of more than a dozen states Saturday, extending as far west as Kansas and as far south as Georgia.
Tsunami impacts hit West Coast after volcano eruption in Pacific; stay away from beaches, officials warn
West Coast authorities pleaded with residents to stay out of the Pacific Ocean and away from beaches on Saturday.
6 people injured after shooting outside Oregon concert hall
Police received reports of multiple shots fired around 9:30 p.m. Friday night outside WOW Hall, where rappers Lil Bean and Zay Bang were performing.
CDC recommends higher quality masks as cases surge; more school districts shift to remote learning: COVID-19 updates
School districts shift to remote learning amid worsening teacher shortages. Novak Djokovic faces deportation from Australia over the vaccine. COVID-19 updates.
Pipeline spills 300K gallons of diesel near New Orleans, killing thousands of fish and other animals
The Dec. 27 spill, not reported until this week, has killed about 2,300 fish and more than 100 other animals, including snakes, birds, eels and crabs.
Deaths from rabies increased due to exposure to bats. They could have been prevented, CDC says.
Five people died in 2021 after contracting rabies, and the CDC said three of the patients did not receive life-saving treatment.
Beaches in Los Angeles, Long Beach closed after sewage spill up to 4M gallons
A sewer main line failed Thursday afternoon, dumping untreated waste into the Dominguez Channel, which empties into Los Angeles Harbor, officials say.
New York City moves forward with scaled-back Times Square New Year’s Eve Party
New York City will require revelers to show proof of vaccination and photo ID and to wear masks as they celebrate in Times Square.