Nation and world news in brief for Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Michigan school shooter’s parents sentenced to 10 years in prison
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — The first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting have been sentenced to at least 10 years in prison in Michigan. The judge said Tuesday that Jennifer and James Crumbley missed opportunities that could have prevented their son from possessing a gun and killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021. Judge Cheryl Matthews says poor parenting wasn’t on trial. Rather, the judge says the Crumbleys ignored things that should have raised the hair on the back of their necks. The Crumbleys were convicted of involuntary manslaughter. They were accused of failing to secure a gun and ignoring Ethan Crumbley’s mental health.
Court upholds California’s authority to set nation-leading vehicle emission rules
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld California’s authority to set its own nation-leading vehicle emission standards that are the strictest in the country. Tuesday’s ruling comes after President Joe Biden’s administration restored the state’s ability to set vehicle emission rules that are stricter than standards from the federal government. Former President Donald Trump’s administration previously revoked that authority. Republican-led states have since tried to block California’s ability to set its own standards. They argue it infringes upon federal authority and that the standards will drive up vehicle costs in their states.
Judge in Trump’s classified files case agrees to redact witness names
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge presiding over the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump has granted a request by prosecutors aimed at protecting the identities of potential government witnesses. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon refused Tuesday to categorically block witness statements from being disclosed, saying there was no basis for such a “sweeping” and “blanket” restriction on their inclusion in pretrial motions. The 24-page order centers on a dispute between special counsel Jack Smith’s team and lawyers for Trump over how much information about witnesses and their statements could be made public ahead of trial.
Idaho man faces federal terrorism charge. Prosecutors say he planned a church attack to support IS
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say an 18-year-old man planned to attack churches in a northern Idaho city using a metal pipe, butane fuel, a machete and potentially his father’s guns. Alexander Scott Mercurio has been charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group. He was arrested Saturday, and the charges were unsealed Monday in federal court. Investigators say Mercurio adopted the Muslim faith against his Christian parents’ wishes and was in contact with FBI informants posing as Islamic State group supporters. Phone messages left for a relative and for the federal public defender’s office were not immediately returned Tuesday.
Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to hit No. 1 on Billboard country albums chart
NEW YORK (AP) — Beyoncé has made history once again. Her latest album, the epic “Act ll: Cowboy Carter,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart, making her the first Black woman to top the chart since its 1964 inception. The album also topped the all-genres Billboard 200, marking her eighth No. 1 album. According to Luminate, “Cowboy Carter” totaled 407,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. since its March 29 release. As a Black woman reclaiming country music, she stands in opposition to stereotypical associations of the genre with whiteness. In February, “Texas Hold ’Em” reached No. 1 on the country airplay chart.
Hong Kong building fire kills at least 5 people and injures 11
HONG KONG (AP) — A fire at a building in Hong Kong has killed at least five people and left another 11 injured. Police said they were still receiving calls from people inside the building asking for help. Firefighters had rushed to the scene after receiving a call about the fire before 8 a.m. Wednesday. The building is the New Lucky House in the Jordan neighborhood. Three males and two females were killed. Local media reported the fire started at a gym on the first floor and had been brought under control.
House to delay sending Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Mike Johnson will not send the House’s articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate this week as previously planned. Republican senators have requested more time Tuesday to build support for holding a full trial. The sudden change casts fresh doubts on the proceedings, the historic first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in roughly 150 years. House Republicans impeached Mayorkas over the Biden administration’s handling of security and immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Democrats, with control of the Senate, are expected to swiftly dismiss the charges against Mayorkas, arguing they do not rise to impeachable offenses.
