Morning news brief
There's already a claim of foreign interference in this year’s election. Missouri and Arizona voters will weigh in on the right to an abortion in November. U.S. tries again to end the war in Sudan.
Is California Up Next For An Oil And Gas Boom?
The Bureau of Land Management is auctioning off 18,000 acres of oil leases in California Wednesday. The state has one of the largest deposits of shale oil in the country. And it's attracting new attention because of the drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing – or fracking.
Oprah's Book Club Turns Over A New Page
Oprah Winfrey says her Book Club grew out of a desire to talk to authors after finishing their books. While the original version of the club ended when Winfrey's television show went off the air in 2011, it has now been rebooted online and on the new Oprah Winfrey Network as Book Club 2.0.
Noah's Ark Replica Docks In Netherlands
The giant floating hulk opened to the public with some real animals: rabbits and parakeets. The bison and tigers are life-sized sculptures. There are modern creature comforts such as two cinemas and a restaurant.
Phoenix Man Lights Cactus To Celebrate Hanukkah
Mel Kline's cactus has a middle trunk and eight arms — perfect for a menorah. And at 30 feet tall, it attracts hundreds of visitors. The Arizona Republic reports Kline bought the cactus 35 years ago. His wife had wanted a maple tree.
U.S. Adds Syrian Rebel Group To Terror List
The United States has added one of Syria's main rebel groups to its list of terrorist organizations. Jabhat al-Nusra has claimed responsibility for several bombings that killed and wounded Syrian civilians since the uprising against the Assad government began in March of 2011. The U.S. describes the group as an outgrowth of al-Qaida in Iraq.
FTC: Apps For Children Raise Privacy Concerns
The Federal Trade Commission has released a report taking to task the makers of mobile apps for children. It says apps are not transparent enough about the personal information they collect. It's the latest sign the Obama administration is concerned about children's privacy online.
Feds Say 'No' To Partial Medicaid Expansion
In the Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act ruling this summer, it decided that states' plans for expansion of the Medicaid program should be optional. That led governors to ask if they could expand the program in part but still receive federal funding. The administration has said no.
Detroit Tries To Stave Off State Takeover Of Finances
If the mayor and City Council can't agree on a plan to reduce the budget deficit, state officials are poised to take away their power over Detroit's purse strings. The mayor and the council blame each other for the impasse. And with the deficit deepening, residents' frustration continues to mount.