U.S. Top News: In California drought, big money, many actors, little oversight

	Click to View in Browser 04/25/2014 In California drought, big money, many actors, little oversight (Reuters) - In the middle of one of the worst droughts in California's history, no one knows exactly how many agencies supply the state with water. The Chinese take Manhattan: replace Russians as top apartment buyers NEW YORK/SYDNEY (Reuters) - For the first time, the Chinese have become the biggest foreign buyers of apartments in Manhattan, real estate brokers estimate, taking the mantle from the Russians - whose activity has dropped off since the unrest in Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions against Russia by the United States. Rebellious Nevada rancher's slavery remarks dim Republican support (Reuters) - Two Republican U.S. senators who voiced support for a Nevada cattleman in his showdown with federal agents over grazing rights on public land condemned the rebellious rancher's remarks about whether African-Americans would be "better off as slaves." California school bus crash injures driver, 11 children LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Eleven middle school students and a bus driver were injured on Thursday, three critically, when their bus veered off a Southern California road, authorities said. Judge strikes down NY limits on donations to 'super PACs' NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday reluctantly struck down New York's limits on donations to independent political action committees as unconstitutional, potentially ushering in a new era of "super PACs" in state campaigns. Oregon's broken healthcare exchange may move to federal network PORTLAND (Reuters) - Top officials for Oregon's troubled health insurance network, dogged by technical glitches that have kept a single subscriber from enrolling online, recommended on Thursday dumping the state website in favor of a federally run healthcare exchange. Seattle mayor finds impasse over $15 hourly wage proposal SEATTLE (Reuters) - A coalition of business, labor, and nonprofit interests assembled by the mayor of Seattle has failed to agree on a proposal that, if adopted by lawmakers, would raise the city's minimum wage to $15 per hour, more than double the U.S. national rate. California lawmakers aim to tighten handgun restrictions SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - A bill banning the sale of single-shot handguns that can be modified into semi-automatic weapons advanced in the California legislature on Thursday as lawmakers sought to close what the bill's supporters say is a loophole in the state's gun safety laws. Arkansas judge strikes down voter ID law as unconstitutional LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Reuters) - An Arkansas judge declared the state's new voter identification law unconstitutional on Thursday since it stipulates that voters must meet an additional requirement before casting a ballot. Fewer communities risk running out of water in California drought SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - A moderate dose of winter rainfall hasn't ended California's historic drought, but it has dropped just enough moisture on the beleaguered state to help 14 communities that had risked running out of water. Related Video U.S. President flies on to South Korea for second stop on Asia tour Drunk passenger causes hijack alert on Australian flight to Bali Great Debate Rob Cox: Coke takes fizz out of shareholder spring Why the Obamacare fight never ends A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend