Nation and world news in brief for Thursday, March 28, 2024
Judge forges ahead with pretrial motions in Georgia election interference case
ATLANTA (AP) — Lawyers for former President Donald Trump argued in a court filing that the charges against him in the Georgia election interference case seek to criminalize political speech and advocacy conduct that is protected by the First Amendment. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee plans to hear arguments on that filing and on two pretrial motions filed by former Georgia Republican Party chair David Shafer during a hearing set for Thursday. Lawyers for Shafer argue that he acted legally when he and other state Republicans signed a certificate asserting that Trump won the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors.
4 people killed and 7 wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois
ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say four people have been killed and seven have been hurt when a man went on a stabbing rampage across multiple locations in a northern Illinois community. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd says that a suspect is in police custody and has been questioned over Wednesday’s attacks. Authorities say they do not know a motive at this time. Three people died at multiple crime scenes and a fourth died at a hospital. Seven were wounded with at least one in critical condition. Rockford is about 90 miles northwest of Chicago and is still reeling from a violent attack on a Walmart employee days ago.
Texas’ migrant arrest law will remain on hold under new court ruling
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Texas’ plans to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S. will remain on hold under a federal appeals court order. The ruling likely prevents enforcement of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s new immigration law until a broader decision on whether it is legal. The 2-1 ruling late Tuesday from a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stops the Texas law from temporarily taking effect for a second time. It follows a confusing few hours last week when the law was in effect. That set off anger and anticipation along the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas authorities announced no arrests made under the law during that short window.
Powerball jackpot increases to $935 million after no one wins the top prize
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has increased to $935 million after no one matched the six numbers drawn. The numbers selected Wednesday night were: 37, 46, 57, 60, 66 and the Powerball 8. The drawing came a day after a player in New Jersey won a $1.13 billion Mega Millions prize. The Powerball jackpot has been growing for months, since the last winner on New Year’s Day. The game’s odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to create big jackpots that will grab attention and increase sales.
