Senators Reach Deal On Border Policy Bill

February 3, 2024 5:03 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate negotiators have reached a deal on a proposal to overhaul the asylum system at the U.S. border with Mexico. It clears the way for Democratic and Republican Senate leaders to begin the difficult task of convincing Congress to pass a national security package that will include tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine and immigration enforcement, as well as funding for Israel and other American allies. Sen. Chris Murphy, the lead Democratic negotiator, posted on social media Friday that a deal had been reached and text of the bill would be released over the weekend.

Federal Judge In DC Postpones Trump’s March Trial

February 3, 2024 5:02 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in Washington has formally postponed Donald Trump’s March trial on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election as a key legal appeal from the former president continues to work its way through the courts. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday vacated the March 4 trial date but did not immediately set a new date. The postponement comes as a federal appeals court has yet to resolve a pending appeal from Trump arguing that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took in the White House.

Retaliation; U.S. Launches Air Assault In Iraq & Syria

February 3, 2024 4:57 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. It is the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The massive barrage of strikes hit more than 85 targets at seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities. President Joe Biden says the strikes demonstrate to “all those who might seek to do us harm” that “if you harm an American, we will respond.”

Settlement Reached Over Opioid Withdrawal Medication

February 3, 2024 4:53 am

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — State courts in Pennsylvania must allow people on probation to take medication for opioid withdrawal as part of a Justice Department settlement announced Thursday. Several plaintiffs say they suffered withdrawal rather than test positive and be sent back to prison. Lawyer Sally Friedman represented them as senior vice president of legal advocacy at the Legal Action Center in New York. She says the loss of the medication can be life-threatening. The settlement mandates training for judges and court personnel involved in court-ordered supervision. The plaintiffs will also share in a $100,000 settlement.

Judge; Escape Charge Against Cavalcante Can Proceed

February 3, 2024 4:49 am

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — A district judge in Pennsylvania says prosecutors have sufficient grounds to continue to press escape and other charges against a convicted murderer captured last year after two weeks on the run. The judge in Chester County on Friday determined there’s enough evidence to forward to county court for trial all of the charges against 34-year-old Danilo Cavalcante. That also includes car theft, burglary and trespassing. Cavalcante’s escape from the Chester County Prison on Aug. 31 was captured on video and involved scaling a wall, climbing over razor wire and jumping from a roof. A message seeking comment was left with the Chester County public defender’s office, listed on the court docket as representing Cavalcante.

Beheading Suspect Bought Gun The Day Before

February 3, 2024 4:46 am

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania prosecutor says the man accused of shooting and decapitating his father in their home northeast of Philadelphia and posting a video of the severed head purchased a gun the previous day. Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said Friday that 32-year-old Justin D. Mohn was “acting with clear mind” when he allegedly killed his father, Michael F. Mohn, at their home in Levittown on Tuesday. Mohn’s mother discovered her husband’s body. Justin Mohn faces charges of first-degree murder, abusing a corpse and possession of instruments of crime. The public defenders representing him are declining comment.

Rocky Star “Apollo Creed” Dead At 76

February 3, 2024 2:32 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, has died. He was 76. His other major roles were facing-off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore.” Comfortable flexing his muscles on the big screen in “Action Jackson” as he was joking around on the small screen in such shows as “Arrested Development,” Weathers was perhaps most closely associated with Creed, who made his first appearance as the cocky, undisputed heavyweight world champion in 1976’s “Rocky,” starring Sylvester Stallone.  (Photo:  ABC)

Judge Postpones Trump’s March Trial

February 2, 2024 5:14 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in Washington has formally postponed Donald Trump’s March trial on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election as a key legal appeal from the former president continues to work its way through the courts. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday vacated the March 4 trial date but did not immediately set a new date. The postponement comes as a federal appeals court has yet to resolve a pending appeal from Trump arguing that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took in the White House.

U.S. Launches Retaliatory Attacks On Iraq & Syria

February 2, 2024 4:26 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials say the U.S. military is launching an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The initial strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft were hitting command and control headquarters, ammunition storage and other facilities. The U.S. had bolstered defenses in place to protect troops at the base in Jordan. President Joe Biden and other top U.S. leaders have warned for days that the U.S. would strike back at the militias in a “tiered response.”

Suspect Purchased A Gun The Day Before Murder

February 2, 2024 4:13 pm

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania prosecutor says the man accused of shooting and decapitating his father in their home northeast of Philadelphia and posting a video of the severed head purchased a gun the previous day. Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said Friday that 32-year-old Justin D. Mohn was “acting with clear mind” when he allegedly killed his father, Michael F. Mohn, at their home in Levittown on Tuesday. Mohn’s mother discovered her husband’s body. Justin Mohn faces charges of first-degree murder, abusing a corpse and possession of instruments of crime. The public defenders representing him are declining comment.