As former President Donald Trump flies to New York to face arraignment for his alleged involvement with the porn star Stormy Daniels, legal experts and politicians are debating whether or not cameras should be allowed into the courtroom. New York state lawmakers are currently trying to push through legislation that would allow the public to witness trials, making it easier for the judge to make a decision. The bill, which has now been introduced as part of the state's budget plan, is yet to be passed, but could be key to the decision on whether cameras are allowed in the courtroom. Supporters of this move claim that it would not only provide transparency, but would give the public a chance to see the case and all evidence presented in court. The case has garnered significant media attention and could prove to test the current judicial system while also potentially contribute to right-wing extremism conspiracy theories if not publicly transparent. Officials in New York state are also planning street closures and possible security checkpoints to prepare for this high-profile case.

California state water officials measured the snow near Lake Tahoe on Monday and announced that this year's Sierra Nevada snowpack is among the largest ever on record. The snowpack is at 236% of normal for this time of year, which indicates relief for the three-year drought, but it also raises huge concerns that the snowpack could bring dangerous flooding as it melts through spring and summer. Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources, warned that the Central Valley, especially the southern San Joaquin Valley and Tulare County, is at risk for flooding. The department is working with local agencies to prepare for this. California's Department of Water Resources uses the crucial April 3 measurement to determine how much water it will get for the spring and summer. The state typically relies on the melted snow for about one-third of its water supply. This year's snowpack is also posing severe flood risk this spring in some areas of the state, especially in the San Joaquin Valley. The state is urging Californians to be very mindful of the dangers related to the melting snowpack and is asking people to be aware of flood warnings and never to drive on flooded roads.

An agreement signed by the former Reedy Creek Improvement District board members gave Walt Disney Co. control over county government, which has essentially rendered the new board powerless beyond maintaining basic infrastructure without approval from Disney. This agreement was signed before the newly appointed board by Gov. Ron DeSantis could take action. Disney’s control comes from claiming its own government by its ability to set its own regulations within its borders, which can trump state and local regulations. The new board had been appointed by DeSantis to investigate how Disney attempts to keep its special corporate benefits and dodge Florida law but have been met with Disney’s demand to stand down. DeSantis has now asked the state’s inspector general to investigate the legality of the document. Disney confirmed that all its conduct is legal, and it did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As of April 1st, Medicaid coverage in Virginia is no longer protected during the ongoing pandemic. Over 25% of Americans rely on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program for their healthcare after the program's coverage ballooned to cover about 90 million people from 70 million prior to the pandemic. However, the relief package passed by Congress in 2020 that ensured the continued coverage of these vulnerable Americans during the pandemic has ended. States may begin removing Medicaid beneficiaries that no longer fit the eligibility criteria regardless of whether they still require Medicaid for medical cover.

For example, Charlottesville city staff has 14 months to evaluate the eligibility of about 7,000 Medicaid cases, while Albemarle County is set to review over 18,000 Medicaid recipients over the next year for eligibility. The Medicaid reviews will be broken down by when a recipient renewed their coverage, with those who were eligible for renewal around mid-2020 set to renew with those due in May 2023.

If a beneficiary is found to be ineligible for Medicaid coverage, federal Marketplace coverage is provided as an alternative. Beneficiaries should double-check their address, phone number, and household composition through social services websites or by calling Cover Virginia on 1-855-242-8282 to ensure that their account is up to date.

Communities across the country are bracing themselves for another round of severe storms predicted to hit the Midwest and South, following last week's damaging weather that killed at least 32 people. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa, as well as parts of Missouri, among other regions. Some regions have even been alerted to the risk of dangerous nighttime tornadoes. The areas hit are still recovering from last week's widespread damage, and Midwest and South residents are now being urged to prepare for the new round of possible tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. KCRG's First Alert Storm Team Meteorologist Jan Ryherd warned that a warm front lifting into the area might make it difficult to line up everything to get storms going. However, the potential for severe storms increases the farther southeast you go, where higher temperatures are eroding the cap that inhibits storm formation. Another round is possible overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, so be sure you have multiple, reliable ways of getting information, and take precautions to stay safe during severe weather conditions.

Former President Donald Trump has hired Todd Blanche, an experienced white-collar criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor, to serve as his lead counsel and head the defense team for the Manhattan district attorney's criminal indictment. Blanche, a former partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, previously represented Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and Rudy Giuliani’s associate Igor Fruman. He tendered his resignation via email, stating that, "I have been asked to represent Trump in the recently charged DA case, and after much thought/consideration, I have decided it is the best thing for me to do and an opportunity I should not pass up." Trump was indicted last week by a grand jury in relation to a $130,000 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The former president is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday. Trump’s current attorneys, Joe Tacopina and Susan Necheles, will continue to work with the defense team alongside Blanche, according to sources.

Former top aide to Maryland governor Larry Hogan, Roy McGrath, died on Monday in a confrontation with the FBI in Knoxville, Tennessee. McGrath had been at the center of a 21-day manhunt after failing to show up to federal court in Baltimore. Authorities had issued wanted posters and offered a $20,000 reward for information on his whereabouts, and the FBI described him as a possible “international flight risk.” McGrath, who faced wire fraud and embezzlement charges, was scheduled to appear in court on March 13 but vanished after his last contact with his lawyer. The FBI stated that the shooting that led to his death is being reviewed and that it takes all shooting incidents involving its agents seriously. It is unclear whether the injury was self-inflicted or inflicted by an agent. Hogan, who was saddened by the situation, released a statement and extended his condolences to McGrath’s family and loved ones.

Sources claim that there was a self-published e-book titled "Betrayed: The True Story of Roy McGrath," released on Amazon.com a week post-disappearance. The book, which portrays McGrath as a protagonist who "worked hard" and "had no record of any wrongdoing in his lifetime", attributes the disintegration of the relationship between the two men to Hogan. McGrath, 53, who had devoted much of his life to politics, had been one of Hogan's most trusted advisers until news of his severance payment of nearly a quarter-million dollars was revealed. His death has left many in mourning and curious for more details about the altercation with FBI agents.

As communities affected by Friday's EF-3 tornado in Arkansas try to recover, donation centers are buzzing with activity while local officials are trying to figure out how to proceed. On Sunday, North Little Rock's First Assembly volunteers offered food, water, cleaning supplies, toys, and other necessities for those in need. Meanwhile, local authorities surveyed the extent of the damage while keeping an eye on another storm front expected to hit the state by Tuesday. According to Colby Pope, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service's North Little Rock office, the incoming storm front could bring tornadoes, hail, and high winds to the whole state. Recovery efforts remain ongoing in Little Rock as well, where many residents are still assessing the damage and trying to salvage personal belongings amidst the debris. Despite the devastation, communities in Arkansas have come together to support those affected by the tornado. Erika Jackson, a Little Rock resident whose home was destroyed, expressed gratitude for the community's help in finding her cherished possessions, including wedding bands and old photos.

According to a report by the Washington Post, the Justice Department and FBI investigators have accumulated additional evidence, pointing to possible obstruction by former President Donald Trump during the investigation into classified documents found in his Florida estate. FBI agents confiscated thousands of government records, some highly classified, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in August last year. It is one of two criminal inquiries into the former President led by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

One inquiry is focused on whether Trump or anyone linked to him broke the law by having possession of classified documents without authorization. The other inquiry is examining whether the President obstructed justice by taking steps to withhold or destroy these papers.

The new details highlight a significant change in the case's direction, which is progressing towards finding evidence of obstruction. Investigators have evidence indicating that Trump directed others to mislead government officials in early 2022, before the subpoena, when the US National Archives and Records Administration was working to retrieve documents of Trump's presidency. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has described the cases against him as politically motivated.

Many democracies across the globe have prosecuted their past or present leaders; former French presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy were found guilty of corruption post the completion of their tenures. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were also prosecuted for tax fraud and corruption charges, respectively. African countries have witnessed the imprisonment of former presidents like South Africa's Jacob Zuma on charges of money laundering and racketeering. Even current leaders like Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

In the United States, former President Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on charges related to hiding his relationship with a porn star. Though the indictment is a first in the US, it is quite common in liberal democracies. However, the prosecution of former presidents may become a divisive issue, considering these leaders may have been popularly elected and revered by the public before being tried for legal offenses. President Gerald Ford pardoned his predecessor Richard Nixon in 1974, despite evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the Watergate scandal, to avoid political differences that could divide the country.

As the first former president to be charged with a crime in US history, Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday is an event of historical significance. The NYPD has stated that there are currently "no specific credible threats" pending and that they will act "as many personnel as needed". Mayor Adams has urged protestors and supporters to keep the peace while the police department is deploying a significant number of police officers around the city. The NYPD has also reissued an order for every member of the department to be dressed in full uniform and ready for deployment as a precautionary measure. While protests are expected around the courthouse where the former president's arraignment will take place, including a planned rally across the street, the NYPD is prepared for any situation. With supporters like Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene expected to attend, the Mayor's office is advising people not to drive into Manhattan and take public transportation instead. The NYPD will also be present outside of subway stations as part of their ongoing efforts to maintain public safety.

Former President Donald Trump is set to face arraignment after flying to New York City from Florida amid tight security measures. The first former U.S. president to face criminal charges is charged with hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election. Trump is due to be arraigned, fingerprinted, and photographed at the Manhattan courthouse, where his lawyers have said he will plead not guilty. The charges included in the grand jury indictment have not been revealed. Trump was seen on Sunday playing golf at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida despite facing an arraignment in Manhattan. Supporters gathered outside the property to back the Republican frontrunner for 2024. According to his campaign, Trump will deliver remarks on the case after the arraignment before returning to Florida. Security measures are expected to include barricades along the edge of the sidewalks around Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building downtown. Demonstrations are also anticipated at the sites, with the police promising to be prepared to ensure peaceful protests.

Roy C. McGrath, a former top aide to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, died after an encounter with the FBI in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to his lawyer. McGrath had been subject to a manhunt after he failed to appear at a federal court in Baltimore on charges of wire fraud, embezzlement, and falsifying records. In a statement, the FBI confirmed that McGrath had been involved in a shooting with an agent, and was transported to the hospital before his death. McGrath's attorney noted that the details of his client's death remained unclear, and whether it was caused by an agent's gunfire or self-inflicted is unknown. McGrath was set to face the charges starting on March 13, having been indicted on fraud and embezzlement charges for alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as the head of a Maryland quasi-public agency. Prior to his disappearance, an e-book titled "Betrayed: The True Story of Roy McGrath,” was released on Amazon that featured McGrath as the protagonist and criticized Hogan. Hogan's spokesman has since released a statement of condolence, indicating that he and his wife were “deeply saddened” by the events.

California's snowpack, which serves as a critical source of water for the state, is currently at historic levels, likely surpassing the previous records set over 40 years ago. The April snow survey is considered the peak of the seasonal snowpack and is used to measure the current water content, which CDWR officials say is a key indicator for future water supply. The snowpack is currently at 237% of its yearly average and contains roughly 30 million acre-feet of water, enough water to cover the surface of California to a depth of 3.5 feet. While the historic snowpack is good news for drought-ridden California, it also comes with a certain amount of risk associated with flooding and swollen waterways when it begins to melt. Experts warn that the dense Sierra Nevada snowpack will soon melt, potentially unleashing torrents of water and creating considerable concern about spring flooding in valleys, foothills, and communities below. This year's snowpack will most likely be either the first- or second-biggest snowpack on record dating back to 1950. However, official confirmations from CDWR officials are still pending. Snowpack in the Sierra is critical to the state's water resources and supports more than 27 million people, over 750,000 acres of farmland, and tens of thousands of businesses.

The relationship between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company is becoming increasingly fraught. DeSantis has now asked the state's inspector general to investigate whether Disney's recent move to retain control over the outer limits of Orange and Osceola counties is legal – and whether any of the company's executives were involved in the scheme. Last week, DeSantis discovered that the previous Disney-allied board of the Reedy Creek district had signed a long-lasting agreement that severely limits his control over the district. Disney had signed the agreement on 8 February, the day before the Florida House voted to put DeSantis in charge. Disney replaced its allied members of the board with Republicans late last month, and DeSantis promptly took issue with its actions. Disney insists that its conduct was legal, while Florida legislators have vowed to repeal or void the document. The governor's letter calls the deal an attempt to "nullify the recently passed legislation, undercut Florida's legislative process, and defy the will of Floridians".

According to NBC News, a Chinese spy balloon was able to capture intelligence from multiple US military sites and transmit back to Beijing in real time. The balloon crossed into US airspace over Alaska in late January 2023 and was eventually shot down by the US in February 2023 off the East Coast. Sources indicate that the balloon collected mostly electronic signals from weapons systems and communications from base personnel as opposed to images. While the intelligence community is not overly concerned, it remains unclear whether the Chinese government was able to wipe the balloon's data as it received it, raising questions about potential intelligence that the US still doesn't know about. The FBI is still examining the balloon, and officials have gained insight into how the device worked, including the algorithms for its software and how it was powered and designed. The balloon incident further escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing and even prompted the US Secretary of State to postpone a diplomatic visit to China.

According to NBC News, the suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon that transited the US earlier this year was able to gather sensitive information from various US military sites and transmit it back to Beijing in real time. The balloon reportedly made multiple passes over some of the sites before being shot down by the US military on February 4, 2023. While the intelligence community is not overly concerned about the information gathered by the balloon, its ability to transmit data in real time raises questions about whether it gathered intelligence that the US is unaware of. Officials have stated that the data transmitted by the balloon was not much more sophisticated than what Chinese satellites orbiting similar locations could gather. The US government was able to protect sensitive sites and censor some signals before the balloon was able to pick them up, officials have said, but this latest revelation raises concerns about future Chinese espionage capabilities. The FBI is still examining the remains of the balloon, and there has been no comment from the National Security Council at the White House or the Pentagon.

On Monday, Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will allow residents to carry guns without a state permit, making it the 26th state to do so. However, the new law has received criticism for not requiring a safety course, which gun-rights activists pushed for, and not permitting open carry. Supporters of the bill argue that law-abiding Americans have the constitutional right to defend themselves and their families without needing government permission. The law will still prohibit guns in certain locations such as airports, courthouses, and other government buildings.

Concealed carry permits will no longer be required after July 1, but critics argue that anyone passing background checks for all guns and waiting the mandatory three-day period for a handgun can carry one concealed with no experience or training. Survivors of the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando have expressed concern that people who do not know how to use a gun could end up injuring or killing themselves or others. Supporters of the bill point to 25 other states that have implemented similar legislation and have not had any issues.

As Governor DeSantis gears up for an expected presidential campaign, the passing of this new law will no doubt be a controversial topic on the national stage.

On Sunday, one of the most infamous pro-Russian bloggers, Vladlen Tatarsky, was killed in a deadly explosion in St. Petersburg cafe, leaving at least 25 others injured. Before the explosion, a woman handed Tatarsky a statuette of a miner -- he himself was formerly a miner. Seconds later, an explosive concealed within the statue detonated, killing the propagandist instantly. Darya Trepova, a St. Petersburg resident previously arrested for participating in antiwar rallies in February 2022, was detained as a suspect in the attack. Tatarsky, whose real name is Maxim Fomin, was from Marinka in eastern Ukraine and later became an influential military blogger, gaining nearly 560,000 followers on Telegram. His extreme rhetoric often involved urging increased attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and celebrating the massacre of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha.

Russian authorities are treating the attack as a "high-profile murder" as it was carefully planned and involved several people. Russia's anti-terrorism committee alleged Ukrainian special services were behind it "with people co-operating with" opposition leader Alexei Navalny. This latest violence is an unwelcome addition to tensions already present between Russia and Ukraine.

The arrest of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, has resulted in him becoming the first American journalist to be accused of spying in Russia since the cold war. Gershkovich, who had been reporting on Russia for years, had returned to the country after its invasion of Ukraine to show the aftermath of the conflict. Unfortunately, he was detained in Ekaterinburg on grounds of espionage, following a reporting trip for his newspaper. The FSB, Russia's federal security service, arrested him on charges that remain undisclosed to date. He was photographed being dragged from a van as he was taken to Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, where he is being held until May 29. Gershkovich has since appealed against his arrest, with the Wall Street Journal stating that it “vehemently denies the allegations from the FSB and seeks the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter.” The arrest of the journalist highlights the Kremlin's clampdown on media freedom and foreign news outlets since Moscow invaded Ukraine, a move that has soured relations between Moscow and the United States.

According to CNN sources, the Chinese spy balloon that crossed into US airspace in January 2023 was able to gather imagery and signals intelligence from US military sites during its journey. The balloon was equipped to transmit the data it gathered back to Beijing in real-time, raising concerns about whether there is intelligence that the US government is still not aware of. While officials have said that they were able to protect sensitive sites and censor some signals before the balloon was able to gather them, it is not clear whether the Chinese government was able to wipe the balloon's data as it received it. The FBI is still investigating the craft's algorithms, software, and design. The balloon was eventually shot down off the coast of South Carolina in early February, prompting tensions between the US and China. While the Biden administration says it did not take immediate action earlier due to concerns about potential harm to civilians, critics question why the balloon was not immediately shot down once it crossed into US territory.

The results of Finland’s election, in which the incumbent Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Social Democrat party placed third, have consequences beyond the country’s borders, according to The Guardian. Marin, 36, became the world’s youngest political leader when she was elected Prime Minister in 2019. However, she lost her reelection bid amid an extremely narrow three-way race centered largely on the economy. The center-right National Coalition Party came in first in the Sunday parliamentary election, followed by the populist Finns Party.

The rise of far-right positions on issues such as climate targets and migration policy is a worrying trend already apparent after the election of the Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and events in Sweden. A "blue-black" coalition in Finland would further normalise these positions, despite the ability to address security matters such as Finland's accession to Nato and fierce support for Ukraine being limited. Little is expected to change, regardless of the makeup of the new government.

The victory for the National Coalition Party now gives its leader, Petteri Orpo, the option of pursuing a deficit-cutting coalition with the nationalist Finns Party, whose leader, Riikka Purra, has distanced the party from extreme rhetoric of the recent past. However, it remains vehemently opposed to non-EU immigration and committed to junking Finland's pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.

LSU players have criticized Iowa’s Caitlin Clark’s lax defense in the Final Four semifinals against South Carolina. Clark was seen guarding Gamecock guard Raven Johnson from a considerable distance, and even signaling her off dismissively when Johnson had the ball outside the three-point line. Although Clark’s antics did not cost her team the game, LSU players have suggested that her lack of defensive concentration could be exploited in the upcoming national championship game. LSU players have a considerably higher conversion rate from beyond the arc compared to South Carolina’s guards which Clark faced in the Final Four semifinals. LSU’s guard Alexis Morris, who experienced Clark’s lack of defensive pressure firsthand, said that leaving her open would be a mistake as she and her team are “going to take advantage.” Iowa is set to play against LSU on Sunday in front of a sold-out crowd at Iowa City’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

San Diego State's Lamont Butler hit a buzzer beater in the Final Four to advance to the national championship game against either Miami (FL) or Connecticut. The Aztecs defeated Florida Atlantic 72-71, despite the Owls being a tough opponent. FAU started strong, scoring the game's first five points, but the Aztecs took control during a 14-unanswered point streak, helped by three straight 3-pointers from senior forward Matt Bradley. The Owls locked up the paint, denied penetration and contested every shot, allowing them to climb back into the game and become only the third team this season to reach the 40-point mark before halftime against the Aztecs.

San Diego State has had a dream season with their latest win now putting them in position to become national champions. Meanwhile, FAU has made history by getting to the Final Four for the first time in school history. They have a young basketball team, having only introduced the basketball program in the early 1980s, and have been part of three different conferences before moving to the American Athletic Conference next season. FAU's 20-game winning streak this season was a school record and the longest streak of any team in the nation. Despite their loss to San Diego State, the team has been compared to the Beach Boys by their head coach, Dusty May, due to their relaxed attitude and "play loose and free" mentality.

In a recent note to investors, Wall Street analyst Laura Martin has speculated that a merger between Apple and Disney could be worth 15-25% for the tech giant, prompting questions of whether such a deal could be on the horizon. The two companies have had strong links, and CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, was quoted saying that if Steve Jobs had lived, the merger of the two companies would likely have taken place. Both Apple and Disney are marketing giants, but Martin suggests that Disney is faced with a tougher marketing challenge, as all of its products compete in the “leisure category,” whereas Apple’s mobile products are seen as utilities. While Apple is valuable for the hardware it directly sells to consumers, Disney’s revenue stream is more widespread, leading to losses in value in adjacent industries.

Martin argues that the two companies are “better together,” with Apple being the better distributor and Disney being the better content creator, but a merger would come at a significant cost, expected to be upwards of $200 billion. Such a deal could also provide a definitive answer to the question of who will succeed Iger when he retires. With both Apple and Disney performing well in the current market, speculation over the possibility of a merger continues to intensify.