"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Pot bills passed, but there's still no smoking on campus

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 04:21 PM PST

In this photo taken Oct. 23, 2012, University of Washington students walk on the campus between classes in Seattle. While marijuana use is about to become legal in Washington and Colorado, that won't mean it will be welcome at the states' colleges and universities. Instead, federal laws and college rules of conduct will combine to keep pot illegal on campuses. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)Young voters helped pass laws legalizing marijuana in Washington and Colorado, but many still won't be able to light up.

Video: Lava oozes into ocean after eruption in Hawaii

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 04:44 PM PST

Waves crash over lava as it flows into the ocean near Volcanoes National Park in Kalapana, HawaiStreams of lava pouring into the ocean have been captured in a rare video captured on Hawaii's largest island, drawing attention from around the globe. The Kilauea Volcano has been erupting continuously from its Pu'u'O'o vent since 1983, according to Reuters, but the lava flow usually doesn't make the seven-mile journey into the ocean. Lava [...]

Former baseball star indicted for insider trading

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:28 PM PST

Baltimore Orioles All-Star Doug DeCinces and three others were indicted on insider trading.

Veterans sue railroad over fatal crash in Texas

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:05 PM PST

Two Army veterans and their wives on Wednesday sued the railroad company whose train hit a truck carrying veterans and their spouses during a parade in Texas.

Man finds live shotgun shell in seat in Milwaukee

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:01 PM PST

Passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight were taken off a plane in Milwaukee and rescreened after a man found a live shotgun shell at his seat.

Illinois license plate fees to increase by $2 next year

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:26 PM PST

Illinois drivers would have to pay another $2 for their license plate stickers beginning next year under legislation the Senate passed today to help the state take better care of its parks.

White House Christmas decor features Chicago artist

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 03:17 PM PST

Chicago artist David Lee Csicsko designed holiday decorations at the White House in Washington, DC. this year. View his creations.

Obama: ‘Couldn’t be prouder’ of Susan Rice

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 01:26 PM PST

President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on the White House campus in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, about how middle class Americans would see their taxes go up if Congress fails to act to extend the middle class tax cuts. The president said he believes that members of both parties can reach a framework on a debt-cutting deal before Christmas. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)President Barack Obama praised embattled U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice as "extraordinary" on Thursday as she looked on during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. "Susan Rice is extraordinary. Couldn't be prouder of the job that she's done," Obama said in response to a question from a reporter.  The president and the [...]

Video: Horse and zebra escape from petting zoo

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 01:56 PM PST

Here's something you don't see every day: A runaway horse and zebra on the streets of Staten Island.

Bacon-scented shaving cream hits the market

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 01:30 PM PST

Just when you think every bit of bacon innovation has been cooked up, another seemingly unbelievable creation is unveiled for the world to enjoy. But today's new bacon offering is not to be eaten. Rather, it's to be used as part of the distinguished gentleman's grooming routine: bacon shaving cream. For $14.99, you can purchase [...]

Which TV specs really matter – and when to get the best deal

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 03:15 PM PST

Buying a television can be confusing, and the manufacturers like it that way. But it's actually a lot simpler than it seems. So let's dig into the specs that matter, the marketing hype that doesn't matter, and the timing secrets to help you get rock bottom prices. The big news in TVs this year is [...]

'We had the best crop in years': Residents feel pinch after FDA shutters plant

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:53 PM PST

This Nov. 27, 2012 photo shows the Sunland Inc. peanut butter and nut processing plant in eastern New Mexico, near Portales, which has been shuttered since late September due to a salmonella outbreak that sickened dozens. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, suspended the registration of Sunland Inc., which is the country's largest organic peanut butter processor. FDA officials found salmonella in numerous locations in Sunland's processing plant after 41 people in 20 states, most of them children, were sickened by peanut butter manufactured at the Portales, N.M., plant and sold at the Trader Joe's grocery chain. The company had announced plans to reopen its peanut processing facility on Tuesday after voluntarily shutting down earlier this fall. (AP Photo/Jeri Clausing)Farmers in a revered peanut-growing region in New Mexico should be celebrating one of the best harvests in recent memory.

Behind the curtain of the Great and Powerful Grover Norquist

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 01:06 PM PST

Grover NorquistIf aliens landed today, they might assume that a man called "Grover Norquist" controlled the most planet's powerful nation.

#My2K: Obama uses Twitter to prod Congress on fiscal cliff

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:38 AM PST

FILE - In this July 6, 2011, file photo, President Barack Obama sits in front of a screen displaying a question he tweeted during a "Twitter Town Hall" in the East Room of the White House in Washington. President Obama is introducing a new hashtag to the fiscal cliff debate. The White House plans to promote (hashtag)My2K on Twitter and other social media — a reference to the estimated $2,200 tax increase that a typical middle-class family of four would see if the Bush tax cuts expire. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)A Jan. 1 tax hike on the middle class looms unless he can convince the GOP to allow Bush-era tax cuts to expire.

Photos: White House gets dolled up for the holidays

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 12:00 PM PST

Photos: White House gets dolled up for the holidays

Rice continues to lose ground with skeptical senators

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 12:08 PM PST

Rice Gains Little Ground With SenatorsABC News' Sunlen Miller and Rosalyn Oshmyansky report: Day two of Susan Rice's charm offensive on Capitol Hill brought little support for the U.N. ambassador to become the next secretary of state if nominated by President Obama. After meeting privately with Rice this morning, moderate...

Russian mafia whistleblower, 44, found dead

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 08:56 AM PST

Granville Road on the St George's Hill private estate, where Russian businessman Alexander Perepilichnyy collapsed on November 10, is seen near Weybridge in SurreyAlexander Perepilichny, who was helping Swiss prosecutors uncover a powerful fraud syndicate, has died in unexplained circumstances near his mansion in Britain.

Groupon CEO says would fire himself if needed

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 12:19 PM PST

Groupon CEO Andrew Mason poses with his wife Jenny Gillespie outside the Nasdaq Market following his company's IPO in New YorkThe company has shed four-fifths of its value since its public trading debut as an investor favorite during last year's consumer dotcom IPO boom.

Emanuel not backing down on CTA fare hike comments

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 04:31 PM PST

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today refused to back away from his remarks that commuters can choose whether to drive or take the CTA when fares increase, instead saying his earlier comments were misinterpreted.

Romney strategist lauds white, wealthy, middle-class support

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:43 AM PST

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney sits with senior advisor Stuart Stevens on his campaign plane enroute to Des MoinesIn an op-ed published today, Stuart Stevens touted wealthy, middle-class and white voter support as several of the silver linings to Romney's loss.