One year after Uvalde shooting, investigation of police response continues
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A criminal investigation in Texas over the hesitant police response to the Robb Elementary School shooting is still ongoing a year after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. Wednesday marks one year since the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. The continuing investigation underlines the lasting fallout over the shooting and how the days after the attack were marred by authorities giving inaccurate and conflicting accounts about efforts made to stop a teenage gunman. The Uvalde school district permanently closed the Robb Elementary campus and plans for a new school are in the works. Schools in Uvalde will be closed Wednesday.
Trump’s freewheeling, stream-of-consciousness speaking style draws legal attention amid probes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump speaks about his legal woes in a way that would make most defense attorneys wince. The Republican former president has never hesitated to offer his opinion or joust with his antagonists. But legal experts say Trump’s freewheeling speaking style could give prosecutors additional ammunition to use against him in court. In a March interview on Fox News Channel, Trump said he had “the right to take” classified documents with him to his Florida resort. During a CNN town hall, Trump said he told a Georgia elections official “you owe me.” The stakes have never been higher for Trump as he comes under intensifying scrutiny from state and federal prosecutors.
Target pulls some LGBTQ+ merchandise from stores ahead of June Pride month after threats to workers
NEW YORK (AP) — Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month, after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers. Target declined to confirm which items it was removing but among the ones that garnered the most attention were “tuck friendly” adult women’s swimsuits that allow trans women who have not had gender-affirming operations to conceal their private parts. Designs by Abprallen, a London-based company which designs and sells occult- and satanic-themed LGBTQ+ clothing and accessories, have also sparked a backlash.
Just in case: Anxious retirees, social service groups among those making default contingency plans
WASHINGTON (AP) — Politicians in Washington may be offering assurance that the government will figure out a way to avert default, but around the country, economic anxiety is rising and some people already are adjusting their routines. Government beneficiaries, social service groups that receive state and federal subsidies and millions more across the country are contemplating the possibility of massive and immediate cuts if the U.S. were to default on its financial obligations. Some are cutting back on necessities and others are finding ways to save money.
A lifetime of racism makes Alzheimer’s more prevalent in Black Americans
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Black Americans are more likely than white Americans to develop Alzheimer’s disease. They are less likely to be diagnosed and get treatment. The reasons are many and systemic and can be traced to American health inequities that follow Black people from birth to death. While evidence exists that certain genetic risk factors could differ by race and be a driver, the large disparities among racial groups can’t be explained just by genetics. Poor medical care throughout life, and the stress of racism, can be factors.
Russia says it shot down drones in border region after raid from Ukraine territory
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian official says Moscow’s forces have shot down “a large number” of drones in Russia’s southern Belgorod region. The comments on Wednesday came a day after Moscow announced that its forces crushed a cross-border raid in the area from Ukraine. Belgorod’s governor said the drones were intercepted overnight over the province. He said no one had been hurt but unspecified administrative buildings, residential buildings and cars were damaged. Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment. Russia said that the previous day it beat back one of war’s most serious cross-border attacks. The Russian Defense Ministry said that more than 70 attackers were killed in a battle in Belgorod that lasted around 24 hours. It made no mention of any Russian casualties.
Super Typhoon Mawar passing over Guam as Category 4 storm with strong winds, rain
HONOLULU (AP) — The National Weather Service says Typhoon Mawar has barreled into Guam as a powerful Category 4 storm. It is pummeling the U.S. Pacific territory with high winds, heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge swamping low-lying areas as residents hunker down in homes and shelters. The National Weather Service says the typhoon passed over the northern tip of Guam on Wednesday evening. The weather service earlier warned of a “triple threat” of winds, torrential rains and life-threatening storm surge. Officials were bracing for “considerable damage” including non-reinforced concrete walls being blown down, fuel storage tanks rupturing and overturned cars.
Largest US gay rights group issues Florida travel advisory for anti-LGBTQ+ laws
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The largest LGBTQ+ rights organization in the U.S. has joined other civil rights organizations in issuing a travel advisory for Florida. The Humans Rights Campaign warned on Tuesday that newly passed laws and policies in Florida may pose risks to minorities, immigrants and gay travelers. The LGBTQ+ advocacy group joins the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Florida Immigrant Coalition and Equality Florida in issuing travel or relocation warnings for the Sunshine State. The Human Rights Campaign says it isn’t calling for a boycott or making a blanket recommendation against visiting Florida. It says it wants to highlight new laws passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature.
Pills flowed for years as DEA dragged feet on disciplining opioid distributor
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has allowed one of the nation’s largest drug distributors to keep shipping addictive painkillers for nearly four years despite a judge’s recommendation to strip its license for turning a blind eye to thousands of suspicious opioid orders. The DEA did not respond to questions about its handling of Morris & Dickson Co. or the involvement of a key consultant the company had hired who is now the DEA’s second-in-command. But the delay has raised concerns about how the revolving door may be impacting the DEA’s mission to police drug companies blamed for thousands of overdose deaths.
Sustainable till death do us part, and 45 days beyond; mushroom coffin a last best wish for some
DELFT, Netherlands (AP) — For those seeking to live in the most sustainable way, there now is an afterlife too. A Dutch intrepid inventor is now “growing” coffins by putting mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, together with hemp fiber in a special mold that, in a week, turns into what could basically be compared to the looks of an unpainted Egyptian sarcophagus. And while traditional wooden coffins come from trees that can take decades to grow and years to break down in the soil, the mushroom versions biodegrades and delivers the remains to nature in barely a month and a half.