Idaho slayings suspect’s family voices sympathy for victims
The family of a man arrested in the slayings of four University of Idaho students is expressing sympathy for the families of the victims. They also vowed in their statement Sunday to support him and promote “his presumption of innocence.” Twenty-eight-year-old Washington State University doctoral student Bryan Kohberger was taken into custody Friday at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania. Kohberger’s attorney says his client will not fight extradition to Idaho and is eager to be exonerated. His parents and sisters say they “care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children.” They also say they “will love and support our son and brother.”
At the Supreme Court, it’s taking longer to hear cases
Supreme Court arguments are continuing long after a red light tells lawyers to stop. Arguments that usually lasted an hour have stretched beyond two this term so on many days it’s well past lunchtime before the court breaks. The lengthy arguments have to do with a change the justices made to their argument style tied to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to the justices asking more questions. Justices have said in the past it’s lawyers’ written briefs, not oral arguments, that most influence their decisions. So it’s unclear if the extra time is really helping them decide cases.
McCarthy’s bid for speaker remains in peril even after key concessions
Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become speaker remained in peril Monday as he toiled to break through the opposition of hard-right lawmakers and unite his majority, with Republicans assume control of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The refusal of ultraconservative lawmakers to embrace McCarthy, R-Calif., even after he made a key concession that would weaken his power in the top post, threatened a tumultuous start to GOP rule in the chamber. The standoff underscored McCarthy’s precarious position within his conference and all but guaranteed that even if he eked out a victory, he would be a diminished figure beholden to an empowered right flank.
NYC nurses, hospitals resume contract talks; some reach pact
A possible strike by thousands of New York City nurses is looming even though nurses at one hospital reached a tentative agreement hours before their contract was set to expire. The pact affecting 4,000 nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital awaits ratification. Contract talks between nurses and seven other hospitals will resume this week to avert a strike by 12,000 other nurses as early as Jan. 9. Their contracts expired Tuesday. The union issued a 10-day notice that it intends to strike if an agreement isn’t reached. The advance notice is required by law to give hospitals to arrange for alternative staffing.
Islamic extremism drove suspect in Times Square attack, official says
The man charged with attacking three police officers with a machete near Times Square on New Year’s Eve had traveled to New York from his home in Maine to injure police in an act of Islamic extremism, a senior law enforcement official said Monday. Trevor Bickford, 19, is charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of attempted assault, police announced Monday. Bickford may face terrorism charges as well, said the law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a continuing investigation.
Lula Becomes Brazil’s President, With Bolsonaro in Florida
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took the reins of the Brazilian government Sunday in an elaborate inauguration, complete with a motorcade, music festival and hundreds of thousands of supporters filling the central esplanade of Brasília, the nation’s capital. But one key person was missing: the departing far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro was supposed to pass Lula the presidential sash Sunday, an important symbol of the peaceful transition of power. Instead, Bolsonaro woke up Sunday 6,000 miles away, in a rented house owned by a professional mixed-martial-arts fighter a few miles from Disney World. Facing various investigations from his time in his office, Bolsonaro flew to Orlando on Friday night.
Helicopters collide over Australian beach, 4 people dead
Two helicopters collided in an Australian tourist hotspot, killing four people and critically injuring three others. Police said the crash drew emergency aid from beachgoers who had been enjoying the water during the southern summer. Queensland state police said one helicopter was taking off and the other landing when they collided near the Sea World theme park in Main Beach on the Gold Coast. One helicopter landed safely on a sandbank, but debris from the other was spread across an area police described as difficult to access. Police official Gary Worrell said people on Jet Skis, family boaters and others rushed to help.
By wire sources