The persistence of capital punishment in some American states is cause for disgust. There is some good news, though: the death penalty is on the decline. These year end numbers prove it.

American is an economically unequal country. It is also plagued by a great deal of poverty, particularly by the standards of rich, developed nations. Today, poverty and inequality are meeting in more American places than ever before.

One nice thing about America is that even if you are poor, you cannot legally be railroaded for any old criminal accusation; you are guaranteed justice and fair representation. A new report details just how much of a farce that promise is.

Hey, what's up, good morning to you. In the news today is sports, weather, and nuclear disaster (potentially).

The year 2030 is only 17 short years away. (Wow. I can remember when it was 25 years away.) What will the world be like in 2030? According to a new "Global Trends" report from the US National Intelligence office—a deeply researched report provocative in its predictions which will, in all likelihood, be ignored, like…

While Australian TV news journalist Alison Ariotti reports from "the frontlines" of Perth or whatever, a black car rams right into the back of a red car and ha, the person who owns the red car will probably be surprised when they watch the news, eh? Focused Alison doesn't let the crash interrupt her reporting in any…

After a drive-by shooting involving two teens, Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM interviewed a few preschool-aged criminologists who happened to witness the incident—including a four-year-old boy who had some pretty "scary" things to say completely misrepresent!

A new report from the Global Commission on Drug Policy, an international group that includes former Secretary of State George Schultz, former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, finds that the international war on drugs is a big fat failure. (On the part of humans. Drugs…

Cybercriminals have gotten so sophisticated recently that their operations are almost indistinguishable from the legit businesses they rip off. Here's a "menu" of services offered by cybercriminals, including working physical credit cards and fake storefronts to scam unsuspecting Internet users.

The Times of London, citing sources "close to the company," says that BP CEO Tony Hayward will resign before October 1, because everyone hates him, except for his family (probably). BP is denying the report. [CNN]

As if America's jobless weren't screwed enough — more employers are running credit checks on potential employees for jobs that involve no financial decisions, so you'd better pay your bills on time even if you don't have a job!

In typical bureaucratic fashion, The New School has convened a committee to issue a formal report on the student takeover last month. Not addressed: Is this cop a huge dick, or what? [City Room]

Aw, we're almost misty-eyed. In an hour, the Bush White House will release a damning report on a Friday afternoon for the very last time.

Scandal alert: Barack Obama has been complicit with rappers since at least 2006! He has collaborated with their nefarious aims! It's all there in a sordid report from Human Events, which lays bare the undeniable ties between Obama and individuals who have released albums containing rap music at one time or another.…

A Texas commission declared today in a 668-page report that the state issues too many reports. The state could save millions by cutting back on annual reports. "For the report [on reports] to be effective, it must be ongoing."