Yesterday, former President Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan Grand Jury for his involvement in hush money payments during the 2016 Presidential campaign to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress with whom Trump allegedly had an affair. The indictment marks a significant moment in the country's history, signaling the emergence of America from a terrifying period of institutional decline, systematic cronyism and democratic erosion. However, the indictment is just the beginning of Trump's legal battles, as he could face several more charges in the near future as investigations into his alleged wrongdoing proceed in other jurisdictions.
Although the Stormy Daniels case may appear small in comparison to the alleged sexual assaults, non-payment of contractors, tax evasion, housing discrimination, and money laundering accusations against Trump, it was part of a lifelong pattern of behavior that is now being investigated. The former President and his supporters accuse the prosecution of being politically motivated, but Democrats argue that Trump is the weakest person in the potential GOP candidate field for the 2024 presidential election.
The indictment could become the first of several legal battles that Trump faces as he tries to remain relevant in American Politics. Meanwhile, the country may have to pay a heavy price to uphold its democratic principles in the face of such an indictment.
Millions of people across 31 states are at risk of potentially violent, long-track tornadoes as a major storm moves across the country. The areas under risk include parts of six states – Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Iowa, and Mississippi, with high-risk tornado warnings issued. The cities at the highest risk include St. Louis, Davenport, Peoria, Paducah, Memphis, Jonesboro, and Tupelo. Storms are expected to start firing up around 3:00 pm in Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas, after which long-track tornadoes could develop by 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm from Iowa to Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Last weekend, a similar area was hit by deadly tornadoes, and this time the White House has expressed its concerns, with President Joe Biden visiting one of the affected regions later in the day. Besides tornadoes, the storm could result in damaging winds and even huge hail. A total of 51 million people have been put on alert for these severe weather events.
Monday’s shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee claimed the lives of six innocent people. Amongst those killed were Cynthia Peak, also known as Cindy, who was working as a substitute teacher at the school. She was described as a selfless educator, who always gave her time to ensure that the young minds she taught had someone to care for them and help them do their best. Peak was also a devoted wife and mother of three, with an unwavering faith in Christ that helped her through her life. Her husband, Chris, said she loved to take evening walks with him and was always protecting the kids she taught. Hallie Scruggs, aged nine, was the only daughter of Chad and Jada Scruggs. She had just begun her week at the school when she was tragically killed. Hallie, who loved ninjas and unicorns, soccer and basketball, was remembered by her family as a gift, who they believe is now wrapped in the arms of Jesus. The other victims include Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill, all of whom were well-loved members of their community. The shooting has left the community reeling and mourning the loss of so many innocent lives.
US President Joe Biden has visited the storm-damaged community of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after a major storm on March 24. The federal government will cover the full cost of emergency measures in response to the event for the next 30 days. 25 people were killed in Mississippi and one in Alabama by the extreme weather, which included a devastating tornado that swept across parts of the state. Biden declared a state of emergency in Mississippi last Sunday, ordering federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the affected areas. During Biden’s visit, Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker said that although what had been lost could not be recovered, the community would recover and come back stronger. Meteorologists are warning that another powerful storm is sweeping across the US, threatening further extreme weather. The coming days are expected to bring tornadoes, blizzards and freezing rain to at least 15 states in the Midwest and southern US, including those affected by last week’s storm.
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who was receiving treatment for clinical depression at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, has announced that he has checked out and is set to return to the Senate on April 17. Fetterman stated that he has spent six weeks at the hospital and thanked the medical team for changing his life. In his statement, Fetterman stated that depression is treatable and said "This isn't about politics. Right now there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help." Many public figures have recently started revealing their mental health issues, setting an example for others to share their stories. Fetterman also spoke about the hopelessness and listlessness he experienced before checking into the hospital in his interview with CBS. The 53-year-old senator urged those suffering from mental health challenges to seek help, saying that treatment is effective. Fetterman is now planning to spend time with his family until he returns to the Senate.
More than 30 news organizations around the world have signed a letter to the Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, demanding the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter imprisoned in Russia on charges of espionage. Gershkovich was arrested by Russia's Federal Security Service and accused of obtaining classified information about military-industrial activities in the country. The allegations have been refuted by the Journal, which has demanded Gershkovich's release. The arrest is the first such of an accredited Moscow correspondent for a US news organization since the end of the Cold War. The leaders of news organizations including the Associated Press, The New York Times, TIME, and The Economist have described the arrest as an escalation of Moscow's "anti-press actions" and accused the country of criminalizing journalism.
Former President Donald J. Trump has been indicted on more than two dozen charges related to a hush-money payment made on his behalf to porn star Stormy Daniels, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. The payment was made during the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign. The investigation appeared to be dead in April 2022, when the district attorney at the time decided not to charge Mr. Trump. However, new interviews with officials show that Alvin L. Bragg, the current district attorney, went back to square one and examined the reams of evidence collected by his predecessor. By last July, Bragg had assigned additional prosecutors to examine the hush-money payment strand of the case. Trump is expected to surrender to the authorities in Manhattan and face arraignment on Tuesday.
The charges against Trump revive the question of whether a former president can be criminally charged for actions taken during their time in office. The investigation is likely to draw significant media attention in the coming months as the case unfolds.
The recent arrest of Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, in Russia on espionage charges highlights the dangers that journalists face worldwide. Gershkovich, a young reporter in his early 20s, was accused by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) of obtaining classified information about the country's military-industrial complex. However, the Journal denied the allegations and demanded his release.
Gershkovich's case is the first such arrest of a US journalist in Russia since the end of the Cold War. The move is part of a broader trend of authoritarian governments cracking down on journalists, with the number of jailed reporters worldwide at a historic high. Putin's administration has instituted harsh consequences for what it considers "fake" news, making it difficult for reporters and news organizations to do their jobs.
Gershkovich worked closely with his editor during his time at the New York Times, where he distinguished himself as a thoughtful, hard-working journalist who was deeply committed to journalistic ethics. He is fluent in Russian and was considered an ambitious young reporter with a bright future.
His case underscores the risks that journalists face on a daily basis and serves as a reminder of the importance of a free and independent press.
A deadly tornado ripped through Wynne, Arkansas, leaving at least four people dead and 26 others with injuries ranging from critical to non-critical. The tornado also caused extensive damage to buildings, including the Wynne High School, businesses, and houses, many of which were torn apart. Emergency services are on the scene, and some people are believed to be trapped in their homes. The Cross Ridge Community Hospital received 26 patients with storm-related injuries, some of whom have been transferred to nearby hospitals. No other information about the victims has been released yet. Pictures circulating on social media show the extensive damage to the Wynne High School and other affected buildings. The Pulaski County Special School District near Little Rock had to declare a shelter-in-place directive due to a tornado warning. The devastating tornado is part of a wider outbreak of thunderstorms and tornadoes in the MidWest and South causing much destruction. The National Weather Service has issued a rare 'high-risk' forecast, warning of the possibility of strong, violent tornadoes, damaging thunderstorm winds and hail across several states, including Arkansas, Iowa and Missouri, through tonight.
By [Your Name]
March 31, 2023 / 3:00 PM
As the pandemic-era rule prohibiting the disenrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries concludes, the Texas Health & Human Services Commission will begin reassessing Medicaid eligibility. The reevaluation process could lead to an estimated 1.3 million Texans losing Medicaid coverage, according to researchers. These changes could also come as a surprise to many, as pandemic-related SNAP benefits will also end. Steve Love, CEO of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, fears these changes could adversely impact those who lack broadband access or have relocated.
If you currently enrolled in Medicaid, it's critical to update your contact information and look out for renewal notices. HHSC will email renewal packets to beneficiaries that include yellow envelopes with the “Action Required” label for those who opted for alerts digitally.
The Texas Health & Human Services Commission plans to stagger these redeterminations over the next few months by prioritizing people to redetermine who are less likely to qualify for the program. As many as 6 million Texans are currently enrolled in Medicaid.
Billionaire philanthropist George Soros has denied allegations of funding Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's indictment of former President Donald Trump. The allegations have been circulating in right-wing politics, with many accusing Bragg of being a "Soros-funded puppet prosecutor." Soros has come forward to say that he neither knew Bragg nor had contributed to his election campaign. The only tie between the two men was a $1 million donation made by Soros to the organization Color of Change, which endorsed Bragg in 2021. The organization never directly donated funds to Bragg, but they did spend around $500,000 on turnout efforts on his behalf. Soros had donated to the group multiple times before it endorsed Bragg, and there is no evidence of direct ties between Soros and Bragg. Trump has vehemently attacked Bragg, stating that he had been "hand-picked and funded by George Soros." Soros called the allegations far-fetched conspiracy theories and urged people to focus on the serious charges against the former president. Soros, a Jewish-Hungarian billionaire, has repeatedly been the target of anti-Semitic conspiracies casting him as a shadowy figure behind political change.
LSU women's basketball team is set to play its first NCAA Final Four game against Virginia Tech at 6 p.m. this evening. Fans who cannot make it to Dallas for the game can still catch the action at local watch parties. The Bengal Tap Room is offering gameday specials, including Tiger Tea cocktails for $7. Boudreaux & Thibodeaux's will show the game on the downstairs big screen, while offering $5.50 double wells and $5 Jameson during happy hour. The Station Sports Bar and Grill will have $8 select doubles during the game, and Ivár's Sports Bar & Grill offers a bucket beer special of five domestic beers for $16. Big Mike's Sports Bar & Grill will open its Crown Royal bar at 6 p.m. for the game, with shot specials including two Fireball for $6 and two lemon drops for $5. At Squeaky Pete's, fans can tuck into $20 crawfish specials, half-price draft beer until 7 p.m., and $7 pitchers afterwards. Uncle Earl's is offering $4 beer specials, including 16-ounce Stella Artois and Busch Light. Those in Roanoke, Virginia, can also join Hokies fans at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Starkey Road, while the city's Burruss Hall on campus will be illuminated in orange and maroon to celebrate the team's history-making Final Four appearance.
The Storm Prediction Center has recently upgraded the risk level for strong to severe storms, giving some areas a threat level 5 out of 5. The Tri-States is under a PDS Tornado Watch through 8 PM, which means a Particularly Dangerous Situation has been reported. A strong low-pressure system that has been moving northeast will drag a cold front through the area later today. The environment has been perfect for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop, and distinct supercells have already formed just to the west. They should move quickly towards the Tri-States, bringing with them the likelihood of large hail and tornadoes. After they pass, a brief break may occur, with the possibility of seeing some sun breaking out. However, the second round of storms will develop early this evening and will likely merge into a line bringing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes. Therefore, everyone should be on high alert and take all warnings seriously. A wind advisory was also issued as the winds out of the south will be sustained at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
Several hundred Ameren Missouri customers experienced power outages during the storm on Friday afternoon. Hail was also present throughout the region. Camden County has the highest number of customers affected, with 1,283 customers experiencing outages. Morgan County follows behind at 1,014 customers and 565 customers are affected in Cole County. An Ameren spokesperson stated that high winds were blowing trees and tree limbs into power lines, causing these outages. Crews are working tirelessly to safely restore the outages. Miller County had 148 outages at one point and these were caused by trees falling into power lines. Boone Electric Cooperative has reported around three outages and total outages reached up to 26. It is crucial for customers to have a reliable way to stay weather-aware as high winds are expected with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan and National Guard have been activated, following Governor Mike Parson signing an executive order. The tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m, and all Missourians are urged to take precautions and heed weather warnings to ensure their safety.
The LSU women's basketball team received a special gift from Vanessa Bryant, the wife of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, ahead of their Elite Eight game against Miami. The team unboxed Kobe 6 Grinches, a pair of shoes that Kobe helped design and which have since become iconic. The Grinches were not only meant as a tribute to Kobe but were also worn by some of LSU's players during the game as a sign of good luck. The Tigers managed to beat Miami and advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2008. Reese tallied her 32nd double-double in the victory, the most ever in a single season by an SEC player. Vanessa had earlier sent the team Nike Kobe 6 Protro Mabacita Sweet 16 to commemorate Kobe and Vanessa's daughter, Gigi. But the team did not wear those shoes during a game, as they wanted to honor Gigi's memory. The Kobe Grinches retail for between $700 and $3,500 depending on the size. Vanessa Bryant is known to be a fan of the LSU women's basketball team, and the Tigers were elated to receive the gift ahead of their Elite Eight game.
The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for several counties in Tennessee, including Northeastern Montgomery County, Northwestern Davidson County, Central Sumner County, Northeastern Cheatham County, and Robertson County. The warning is in effect until 11:15 pm CT, with severe thunderstorms moving east at 65 mph. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph are possible, which could cause significant tree damage and damage to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. A tornado watch is also in effect until 3:00 am CT for Middle Tennessee and Clarksville-Montgomery County.
Residents are advised to move to the lowest floor of their building's interior room for safety. The severe weather could particularly affect mobile homes, roofs, and sheds, which are likely to sustain damage. Firefighters have already been busy in California after days of heavy rain, rescuing cows and other farm animals from deep mud. Video footage on social media showed wind funneling off roofs and hurling debris into the air, leaving at least one person injured in the tornado. People are urged not to drive through flooded roads and stay informed about the latest weather alerts.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of the Tennessee Valley until 3 AM, including all of north Alabama and a few Tennessee counties. A strong line of storms is expected to track eastward through the area overnight with the capacity to produce a tornado, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Although the greater threat is high winds and locally heavy winds, the storms will likely arrive in northeast Alabama around 1 am. The Tornado Watch also includes Giles, Franklin, and Lincoln Tennessee counties. At 106 AM CDT, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued until 1:30 AM CDT for parts of northern Marshall County, southwestern Jackson County, southeastern Madison County, and central DeKalb County. The severe thunderstorms are expected to cause damage to roofs, siding, and trees with the possibility of hail and 60 mph wind gusts. The National Weather Service urges residents to move to a lower level in a building's interior for safety. A Wind Advisory also remains in effect until 7 AM CDT Saturday for portions of north, northeast, and northwest Alabama and southern middle Tennessee.
At least 28 people were injured and one person was killed after the roof of the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, Illinois, collapsed during a metal rock concert on Friday evening. The venue was hosting a concert by heavy metal band Morbid Angel when the roof caved in. The event coordinator estimated that 260 people, including guests, performers, and staff, were inside the venue at the time of the collapse. High winds and a powerful storm swept through the Midwest of the United States on Friday with winds reaching up to 75 mph in some areas. During a press conference, Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle acknowledged the severe weather in the region. He stated that OSHA and the state fire marshal are investigating the cause of the collapse. Governor JB Pritzker confirmed that he was closely monitoring the situation and directed all available resources to be made available. A Twitter user posted video showing patrons attempting to rescue people from beneath the rubble on the main floor. Morbid Angel issued a statement urging fans to "seek shelter and stay safe" while also canceling the concert.
LSU's women's basketball team has secured a spot in the Final Four, thanks in part to the leadership and presence of team captain Emily Ward. Originally from Benton, Ward has been honing her skills for years with the support of her mother and head coach, Mary Ward. Emily has had an impressive career so far, and her contributions to LSU's 32-2 record have not gone unnoticed. The Tigers earned the chance to play the early rounds of the NCAA tournament on their home court, which was a meaningful experience for LaDazhia Williams, who transferred to the team from Missouri this season. Williams has also been a key player for the Tigers, with an average of 9.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Freshman Sa'Myah Smith, a former standout at DeSoto, has also played a crucial role in LSU's season as the first big off the bench. Despite her lack of experience, Smith has quickly become a reliable contributor, averaging 4.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The Tigers will face off against Virginia Tech in their upcoming national semifinal, with hopes of securing their first NCAA Championship.
Ashtabula County in Ohio, Montgomery County in Alabama, and Entergy Mississippi are among the areas that are currently experiencing the impact of severe storms. On Saturday, strong winds with gusts of up to 72 mph hit the Ashtabula County in Ohio causing damages to several areas. Local officials are currently assessing the extent of the damages and have advised residents to call emergency numbers if their electric equipment appears undamaged. Meanwhile, utility crews are working round the clock in Montgomery County, Mississippi, to restore power to more than 70 homes that received major or minor damage, with limited resources such as water and tarps made available to the affected residents. In Mississippi, 235 customers in Rolling Fork and 95 customers in Silver City remain without power since Friday's tornado and thunderstorms hit the region. Restoration efforts continue and power is expected to be fully restored to the impacted areas by Thursday evening. Amidst growing concerns about the increasing frequency of severe storms across the US, several state and local officials are advocating for infrastructure improvements to help mitigate the impact of future occurrences.
Speculation has been growing ever since former Temple player Aaron McKie resigned as the Owls' coach earlier this month. CBS Sports analyst Seth Davis even went as far as suggesting on Twitter that Staley, who currently coaches South Carolina's women's basketball team, would be the perfect replacement for McKie. However, the suggestion was met with heavy opposition from musician Darius Rucker, who called it an "awful take," and many South Carolina and women's basketball fans. Staley, a former WNBA star and three-time Olympic gold medalist, has had a remarkable career as a coach, according to her record. She led South Carolina to two national championships, has been named Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year three times, and currently earns more than $3 million a year, making her the highest-paid coach in women's college basketball. It remains to be seen whether Staley would consider leaving South Carolina, where she has built a dynasty, to coach Temple, which would be a step down for her, according to some critics. Nevertheless, the speculation and debate continue.
The South Carolina Gamecocks continued their impressive run in the NCAA Women's Tournament after defeating UCLA 59-43 in the Sweet 16. The Gamecocks ensured that the Bruins struggled to keep up with their early pace as UCLA had only 8 points in the first quarter. South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley, revealed her plan was "to speed them up and make them play faster than they wanna play". Her veteran-heavy team executed this plan with ease. Bree Hall displayed her excellence at pushing the pace, making a fast-break layup from her own defensive board look simple. The Gamecocks had a comfortable lead in the third quarter, allowing some fans to even leave early.
On the other hand, UCLA couldn’t keep up with the Gamecock’s level of play. UCLA freshman Kiki Rice finished the game with only three points after getting on the board with a jumper late in the second quarter. UCLA's senior guard Charisma Osborne tried to keep the Bruins alive, scoring a career-high 36 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the team from going down to South Carolina. The Bruins fell to one of the best women's basketball programs in the nation. The Gamecocks will face Maryland in the Elite Eight on Monday, hoping to continue on their undefeated run at the tournament.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that no Michigan counties are at high risk for COVID-19 as of March 31. The state has 14 counties at a medium risk level and 69 at low risk. Counties at medium risk are located mainly in the Upper Peninsula and along the east coast of the Lower Peninsula. The CDC assigns risk levels based on COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Even as cases decrease, experts advise those living in medium or high-risk areas, regardless of vaccination status, to consider wearing masks indoors to minimize transmission. High-risk counties have new cases above 200 per 100,000 residents, or at least 10 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000, or at least 10% of the inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. While most counties see cases dropping, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports that 13 of the state's counties are at medium risk for COVID-19, one more than last week, with no counties at high risk for the second week in a row. The state has confirmed 4,109,047 COVID-19 cases and 36,600 deaths across 102 counties as of March 31. The IDPH encourages those who test positive to seek treatment quickly, and is offering 1 million free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to Illinois residents outside of Chicago. Pennsylvania has no counties at a high risk level for the second consecutive week, and 62 are at low risk, while five are at a medium risk level.
Illinois Valley was hit by severe storms leaving a trail of destruction on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The storms brought hail as large as tennis balls in Earlville and Troy Grove, and up to golf ball and ping pong ball sizes in Cherry, Malden, Mendota, Dimmick, and Spring Valley. Several power outages were reported across several locations that lasted for hours after the storms hit, including Princeton, Wyanet, Tiskilwa, and Sheffield. Ameren and Corn Belt Energy reported hundreds of outages following the storm. Additionally, the strong winds caused damage, with the goat barn at the Bureau County Fairgrounds being destroyed, and power poles falling in other areas of the Illinois Valley. The National Weather Service of Illinois had issued storm warnings earlier in the week, forecasting strong surface lows triggering violent thunderstorms, tornadoes, large hail, and strong winds. The storms persisted in waves for several hours, and caused damage throughout Central and Northern Illinois region.
