In brief: Michael Brown’s stepfather offers apology
FERGUSON, Mo. – The stepfather of Michael Brown has apologized for angry comments he made after the grand jury decided not to indict the police officer who killed his stepson, but he said his remarks had nothing to do with the arson and looting that ravaged Ferguson and the surrounding area.
Louis Head said Wednesday in a statement that he was full of emotion on the night of Nov. 24, when he yelled “Burn this (expletive) down!” in a crowd of protesters.
St. Louis County police said Tuesday they are investigating Head’s comments as part of a broader inquiry into the arson, vandalism and looting.
Health spending growth slowed in ’13
WASHINGTON – U.S. health care spending grew by the slowest rate in more than a half-century last year, government analysts said Wednesday. But a speed-up is coming as the economy gets traction and the new health care law covers more people.
The nation’s health care tab grew by just 3.6 percent in 2013, nonpartisan economic experts with the Health and Human Services Department said in their report.
The slow growth is mainly due to an uncertain recovery from the deep economic recession, the analysis suggested. Employers shifting workers to health plans that can expose them to higher out-of-pocket costs also played a part.
President Barack Obama’s health care law was not yet fully implemented in 2013.
Overall, the nation spent $2.9 trillion on health care in 2013, from hospital and doctor bills to prescriptions and nursing home care. That worked out to $9,255 per person, said the report, a figure well above what any other economically advanced country spends.
Congress deepens U.S. ties to Israel
WASHINGTON – Congress approved legislation Wednesday deepening U.S.-Israeli cooperation after softening a push to grant Israelis visa-free travel rights to the United States even as the Jewish state persists in blocking some Arab and Muslim Americans from its territory.
The bill, passed by a voice vote in the House, now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. It cleared the Senate with unanimous support in September, but only after the elimination of language that critics saw as an endorsement of Israeli discrimination toward some Americans. The bill now calls only for Israel’s inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program when it meets the requirements, the most elementary of which is reciprocal treatment for Americans.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who spearheaded the effort, hailed Congress’ two houses for speaking “with one voice” to strengthen ties between America and its closest Middle East ally.
Storm brings more rain to California
LOS ANGELES – A storm that saturated California for a second day Wednesday was just what the dry state needed, adding water to depleted reservoirs, quenching crops and even awakening picturesque waterfalls.
There was some flooding and evacuations in areas where hillsides were left barren by wildfires, but major damage was avoided despite some huge rainfall totals. One location, Yucaipa Ridge in the San Bernardino Mountains, received 9.8 inches of rain, the National Weather Service said.
Most other parts of the state received between 2 and 4 inches.
Judge detains accused IS recruit
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota teenager who was temporarily freed after he was accused of trying to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group was taken back into custody Wednesday after a federal judge ruled that he posed a flight risk and a danger to the community but held out the possibility of freeing him later.
Abdullahi Yusuf, 18, of the St. Paul suburb of Inver Grove Heights, was arrested last week. He was charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.