Vance Boelter, 59, is set for federal sentencing in Minnesota after pleading guilty to killing House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and critically wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. He faces two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years for the June 2025 attacks.
California wildlife officials are evaluating a petition to list southern resident killer whales as endangered under state law, following similar actions in Washington and Oregon. With only about 70 individuals remaining, these orcas face threats from declining Chinook salmon, vessel noise, and chemical contaminants. The California Fish and Game Commission granted candidacy status, initiating a year-long review process.
A federal judge has temporarily halted the $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. for 14 days, allowing time to review an antitrust lawsuit filed by 12 states. The lawsuit claims the deal would reduce competition and raise consumer prices, with a preliminary injunction hearing set for August 3.
San Francisco's City Attorney David Chiu has ordered Apple and Google to remove "nudify" apps from their stores, citing California laws against non-consensual deepfake pornography and the companies' continued profit from such software despite warnings.
West Virginia University's new Washington Center for Civics, Culture and Statesmanship, created to combat 'woke' ideology, reportedly has only one student enrolled ahead of its fall opening. Lawmakers allocated $3 million for the center, which offers classes on topics like wokeness and Western Civilization.
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to block a Texas law mandating age verification and parental consent for minors downloading apps or making in-app purchases. Plaintiffs argued it violates free speech rights, while Texas claims it protects children.
Oregon's new law banning corporate control of medical practices faced its first test in court. A group of local doctors fought against a national company, ApolloMD, highlighting concerns about patient care and profit motives.
A federal judge in Arkansas has invalidated state laws that imposed stricter rules on collecting signatures for ballot initiatives, ruling they infringed upon voters' free speech rights. The decision, which favored groups like the League of Women Voters, struck down requirements for photo ID and reading the full ballot question before signing.
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down a Hawaii law requiring concealed-carry permit holders to obtain permission before bringing firearms onto private properties open to the public. The ruling, which expands Second Amendment protections, impacts states like New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and California.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for a criminal investigation into the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after an Associated Press probe found agents allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach state streets, contributing to a 21% spike in overdose deaths, while pursuing larger drug cases.
Four years after Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion access in the US is complex. Despite bans in many states, the national number of abortions has risen due to telemedicine and mail-order pills. Anti-abortion politics face internal divisions and legal challenges, while supporters hail abortion pills as "unstoppable." Privacy concerns are evolving, with some women sharing their stories publicly.
A controversial datacenter proposal on the site of a former asylum in East Vincent, Pennsylvania, faces strong local opposition due to environmental and health concerns. The project has ignited a political debate involving the governor, state lawmakers, and gubernatorial candidates over AI infrastructure growth.
Florida is suing TikTok, accusing the company of violating a state law that restricts social media use for minors. The lawsuit claims TikTok exposes children to harmful content and addictive features, and deceives parents about the risks.
Jim Marchant, a vocal proponent of election conspiracy theories, secured the Republican nomination for Nevada Secretary of State. He will face incumbent Democrat Cisco Aguilar in November, overseeing elections in a key battleground state.
Multiple U.S. states, including California and New York, are preparing a joint lawsuit to block Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. The deal, announced in February after Paramount outbid Netflix, has drawn antitrust scrutiny from California Attorney General Rob Bonta over risks of higher costs, job losses, and reduced consumer choices.
Apple is enforcing Texas's age verification law (SB 2420) for apps distributed in the state, effective tomorrow. New users will need to verify their age, and parental consent will be required for minors downloading apps, updates, or making in-app purchases.
South Carolina Republicans rejected a plan to redraw Rep. Jim Clyburn's majority-Black district, preserving it for now, amid concerns over constitutional principles and ongoing elections.
A federal panel blocked Alabama's new congressional map due to race-based discrimination, while South Carolina lawmakers rejected a map targeting Rep. James Clyburn's district, hindering Trump's push to boost Republican midterm chances.
New York lawmakers are considering a ban on potassium bromate, an additive in bromated flour used by thousands of pizzerias and bagel shops. While some fear it will alter iconic foods, experts cite health risks and potential quality improvements.
Kentucky voters ousted Congressman Thomas Massie, a vocal critic of President Trump, in a primary election. The defeat is seen as a victory for Trump's campaign to punish Republican dissent and a test of his influence over party voters.
A Wyoming judge has blocked the state's new abortion ban that would prohibit abortions after embryonic cardiac activity is detected, issuing a temporary restraining order while a lawsuit challenges the law. Natrona County District Judge Dan Forgey wrote that the law is likely to be overturned on the same constitutional grounds that led the state Supreme Court to strike down sweeping abortion bans in January. Wyoming's lone abortion clinic, Wellspring Health Access, and other plaintiffs successfully challenged the previous blanket bans, and welcomed this latest ruling.
North Dakota state lawmaker Liz Conmy, 67, and the pilot were killed when a Beechcraft BE33 crashed shortly after departing Crystal Airport near Minneapolis on Saturday. The plane struck a wooded area and burst into flames. North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong expressed condolences, calling Conmy a servant who cared for her state and community. The NTSB will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Two California Assembly members have introduced AB 1946, a bill allowing lawsuits against social media companies that fail to detect or remove child sexual abuse material. The legislation follows landmark verdicts against Meta and YouTube in March. Companies would face 48-hour response windows and be required to perform biannual safety audits. If passed by August, the bill would take effect January 2027.
Two Republican-backed data privacy bills set for introduction would create a national standard for how tech and finance companies handle user data, preempting nearly two dozen state laws. The SECURE Data Act targets technology companies while the GUARD Financial Data Act focuses on financial services. Both bills allow users to access, correct, delete data and opt out of targeted ads, but notably do not allow private lawsuits for violations.
