'Stalking' Victim Is Barry's Ex

Woman says scandal-plagued councilman was 'bothering' her

(NEWSER) - Washington DC's most-wanted politician, Marion Barry, has again found himself on the wrong side of the law, reports the Washington Post. Police busted the 73-year-old councilmember and former mayor last night after a woman complained he was "bothering her" as the two traveled in separate vehicles in a DC park. Barry was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor stalking count. More»

(NEWSER) - Marion Barry—the controversial former DC mayor and current council member—had a successful kidney transplant last night, the Washington Post reports. Barry, 73, who had been on dialysis for 3 months, announced a week ago that he was experiencing kidney failure likely brought on by a 20-year battle with diabetes and hypertension. The donor was a 47-year-old female friend. More»

They want FCC, carriers to put safeguard in place

(NEWSER) - With smartphone robberies soaring, frustrated police are calling for regulators and service providers to shut down stolen phones remotely to reduce their value, reports the Washington Post . About 40% of robberies in Washington in 2011 involved smartphones, iPods, or tablets, while in New York City the figure was nearly 50%. “This is a national issue,” says the DC police chief, noting that the thefts have "clobbered" her department. “We have done all we can at the local level.” More»

Up from 22% in the 1960s

(NEWSER) - By the time they're 23, almost a third of Americans will have been arrested: These days, it's a "pretty common experience," says the author of a new study. The data marks a jump in arrests over the past 44 years; four decades ago, a study found that 22% of kids would be arrested by age 23—a shocking figure then, says a criminologist. Now that figure is 30.2%, partly thanks to arrests over domestic violence and drugs—both less likely to lead to arrest during the 1960s, USA Today reports. More»

New York protesters seeking new camp site

(AP) - Dozens of Occupy Wall Street protesters were arrested today after they scaled a chain-link fence or crawled under it to get to an Episcopal church-owned lot they want to use for a new camp site. Protesters used a wooden ladder to scale the fence or lifted it from below while others cheered them on. A man wearing a Santa suit stood on the ladder among others, as they ignored red "Private Property" signs. More»