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Christina House/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Bill requiring California AG to investigate federal agent shootings advances

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The California Attorney General could soon be required to investigate when federal immigration agents shoot someone in the state, issue a public report on the agency’s findings and if warranted file criminal charges against the officers.

On Tuesday, the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 7-2 along party lines to advance the bill. ...Read more

Icana/ZUMA Press Wire/TNS

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, maintains blockade as talks falter

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President Donald Trump announced he was extending a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely a day before it was set to expire, even as plans for a fresh round of talks between the two countries fell apart.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Tuesday he would maintain a blockade over ships coming to and from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that ...Read more

Cristopher Rogel Blanquet/Getty Images North America/TNS

Gunman at Mexico's Teotihuacán pyramid was obsessed with Columbine massacre

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MEXICO CITY — The assailant who opened fire on tourists at one of Mexico's signature archaeological sites — leaving a Canadian woman dead and 13 other foreign visitors injured, including six U.S. citizens — was a copycat who admired mass shooters and meticulously planned the attack, Mexican authorities said Tuesday.

The shooting Monday ...Read more

Stefan Jerrevang/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Gates Foundation launched outside review of Bill Gates' Epstein ties

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SEATTLE — The Gates Foundation has commissioned an external review into ties between the Seattle-headquartered philanthropic foundation and the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who maintained a yearslong relationship with foundation founder Bill Gates.

In a Tuesday statement, the Gates Foundation said that it launched the external ...Read more

Shawn Inglima/New York Daily News/TNS

NYC Council debates limiting social media time for young people amid mental health concerns

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NEW YORK — The New York City Council is debating a law that would set time limits on young people’s social media use as concerns grow over its effects on mental health.

At a hearing Tuesday afternoon, Councilwoman Althea Stevens, D-Bronx, chair of the Committee on Children and Youth, asked health officials to weigh in on her bill, which ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

DOJ charges Southern Poverty Law Center with bank fraud

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department announced bank fraud charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center related to $3 million in payments the civil rights group allegedly made to informants of extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan.

A federal grand jury in Alabama returned an 11-count indictment charging SPLC with six counts of ...Read more

Roberto Schmidt/AFP/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/TNS

More air traffic control modernization funding needed, Duffy says

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WASHINGTON — Efforts to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system are moving along with the support of funds provided in last year’s reconciliation law, but the Transportation Department will need even more money from Congress to finish the job, Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday.

Congress authorized $12.5 billion in funds to ...Read more

CLARENS SIFFROY/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/TNS

Rubio, Haiti prime minister meet as armed gangs open new battlefronts in volatile country

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Tuesday with Haiti Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who is on a weeklong visit to the United States seeking to shore up support for the volatile country.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for Haiti’s stability and security and welcomed “progress on the...Read more

News briefs

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Speaker Mike Johnson willing to ‘lead’ push for sexual misconduct overhauls

WASHINGTON — As revelations of sexual misconduct continue to ripple through Congress, calls for change are dominating the halls — so much so that Speaker Mike Johnson said he’d lead the cause himself.

“We are looking at every potential avenue to tighten up ...Read more

Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post/TNS

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs new law sealing name-change records for people younger than 18

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DENVER — Colorado courts will now need to suppress name change records for minors under a new law signed by Gov. Jared Polis.

Polis signed Senate Bill 18 into law administratively on Monday, without a signing ceremony. The law, which takes effect July 1, will require courts to keep records of petitions for a legal name change from public view...Read more

Clarence Tabb Jr./The Detroit News/TNS

University of Michigan opens investigation into regent's 'disturbing' messages

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DETROIT — The University of Michigan is opening an investigation into Regent Jordan Acker's purported Slack messages, in which he appeared to make obscene sexual comments about a Democratic strategist and lewd comments about a female UM student.

Regent Chair Mark Bernstein said in a message posted to the university's communications website ...Read more

Robert Willett/The News & Observer/TNS

Ice breaks at the NC legislature on opening day, as budget talks finally move ahead

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North Carolina’s General Assembly came back to work on Tuesday under high pressure to pass a long overdue budget, reach a deal on Medicaid spending and make decisions on tax cuts and raises.

At least one came to fruition right away, with a deal announced on funding Medicaid’s increased costs, and with votes expected starting Wednesday.

But...Read more

Katy Kildee/The Detroit News/TNS

Michigan House education budget bans sales of soda, candy at schools

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LANSING, Mich. — The Republican-led Michigan House's proposed education budget prohibits schools receiving state funding for breakfast and lunch programs from selling soda pop or candy on school grounds.

The $21.5 billion spending bill also bars certain ingredients in food served through the program, including bromated vegetable oil, ...Read more

Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post/TNS

As lawmakers ready bill allowing Coloradans to sue federal officials, prosecutors raise objections

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DENVER — Wary of a potential court challenge, Colorado lawmakers are readying new legislation that would allow the state’s residents to sue federal officials — including immigration agents — when those officials violate locals’ constitutional rights.

But first, the bill’s sponsors have to overcome opposition from an unexpected ...Read more

Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/TNS

Here's how the upcoming California governor debates could shape the race -- and how to watch

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The leading candidates vying to be the next governor of California will step onto the debate stage three separate times in the coming weeks, giving them a final chance to make their pitch to voters in prime time before ballots land in mailboxes next month.

“It’s hard to overstate how important these debates are going to be,” said Melinda ...Read more

John Autey/St. Paul Pioneer Press/TNS

Minnesota lawmakers weigh property tax relief; GOP wants $4B, DFL wants focused aid

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Several proposals to provide homeowners with relief from sharply rising property taxes are floating around at the Minnesota Capitol as state lawmakers get closer to piecing together a tax bill this session.

One thing Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican legislators seem to agree on is that property owners need a break. But before that can ...Read more

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images North America/TNS

Denver must pay George Floyd protesters $14 million, court rules

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DENVER — Denver must pay $14 million to a group of protesters injured by police during the 2020 George Floyd protests, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday.

The federal court agreed that the city is liable for “unconstitutional force” used by Denver Police Department officers against 12 protesters during the demonstrations ...Read more

Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel/TNS

Artemis II heat shield damage shouldn't slow up Artemis III plans, NASA says

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NASA had a tough decision to make after the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield came back with severe damage on the Artemis I mission: Stick with it at the possible risk of human lives, or replace it and face even more delays for Artemis II?

NASA opted to stick with it, confident any damage could be avoided by simply changing the trajectory of ...Read more

Icana/ZUMA Press Wire/TNS

Trump extends Iran truce, maintains blockade as talks falter

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced he was extending a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely a day before it was set to expire, even as plans for a fresh round of talks between the two countries fell apart.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Tuesday he would maintain a blockade over ships coming to and from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. ...Read more

Office of Governor Mike Kehoe/Office of Governor Mike Kehoe/TNS

Missouri voters to decide to eliminate income tax, raise sales and use taxes

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Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe campaigned on the elimination of state income taxes, and lawmakers delivered a bill that could fulfill that campaign promise if voters approve and lawmakers raise enough money from new sources.

On Tuesday, the Missouri House agreed with Senate amendments to a proposed constitutional amendment that serves as a first step...Read more