Nation briefs 4/5/16

Keystone shut down for possible leak

FREEMAN, S.D. -- TransCanada Corp. has shut down the Keystone pipeline while it investigates a possible spill in southeastern South Dakota. The company said the potential leak was first reported Saturday afternoon. Crews sent to the scene in Hutchinson County found signs of oil on what the company said is a "small surface area" about 4 miles from its Freeman pump station. TransCanada Spokesman Shawn Howard told KELO-AM the pipeline likely will be shut down for at least a few more days as the company removes the oil and investigates where it came from. The company said it has found no significant harm to the environment. The Keystone pipeline runs from the Canadian province of Alberta to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma, passing through the eastern Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.

Candy theft may lead to life term

NEW ORLEANS -- A man is facing a possible 20 years to life in prison after being accused of stealing $31 worth of candy bars from a New Orleans store. The New Orleans Advocate reported 34-year-old Jacobia Grimes pleaded not guilty in court Thursday. Orleans Parish prosecutors chose to charge Grimes under a statute that boosts the alleged candy theft to a felony. The law applies to those who've been convicted of "theft of goods" at least twice before. Grimes has five prior theft convictions, making him a "quad" offender under the state's habitual-offender law and facing 20 years to life. Grimes' lawyers, Miles Swanson and Michael Kennedy, said his prior guilty pleas were for similar shoplifting attempts. Grimes, who was released on bond, is due in court Wednesday.

Restitution nixed for ex-coal CEO

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Convicted former energy company CEO Don Blankenship won't have to pay a coal producer $28 million in restitution related to a mine explosion in 2010 that killed 29 men, a federal judge ruled Monday. In her order, Judge Irene Berger said Blankenship doesn't have to pay the money to Alpha Natural Resources, which bought Massey in 2011 after the explosion. The Bristol, Virginia-based coal company filed for bankruptcy in August. The ruling was a win for Blankenship, helping him avoid a blow to a personal fortune he refused to disclose to prosecutors. Blankenship was convicted Dec. 3 of a misdemeanor conspiracy to willfully violate mine safety standards at Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. He faces a maximum of one year in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was acquitted of felonies that could have stretched his sentence to 30 years.

Child book authors seek NC law's repeal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Nearly 270 authors and illustrators of children's books have signed a letter calling for the repeal of the new North Carolina law preventing specific anti-discrimination rules for LGBT people for public accommodations and restroom use. The letter, posted on the School Library Journal website, said the 269 signees are "disappointed and angered by the reprehensible legislation" signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory. They called for repeal of what they called a "hateful piece of legislation." The group also said it would have to reconsider participation in conferences and festivals in North Carolina while the law is in effect.

-- From wire reports