May 17 Explosive eruption at Kilauea volcano blasts ash 30,000 feet into the sky By Sophia Yan, Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted from its summit before dawn Thursday, shooting a steely gray plume of ash about 30,000 feet into the sky that began raining down on a nearby town. Continue reading
May 16 Watch 11:04 Inside Facebook's race to separate news from junk By Miles O'Brien At Facebook, there are two competing goals: keep the platform free and open to a broad spectrum of ideas and opinions, while reducing the spread of misinformation. The company says it's not in the business of making editorial judgments, so… Continue watching
May 16 Emails contradict Pruitt's accounts of events under ethics investigations By Ellen Knickmeyer, Michael Biesecker, Associated Press Lawmakers at a Senate hearing Wednesday hammered Scott Pruitt with his toughest questioning to date amid federal investigations on his spending, bodyguards and ties with lobbyists. Continue reading
May 16 Illinois' governor wants to bring back the death penalty. Does his proposal have a chance? By Ryan Connelly Holmes The proposal has reignited debate over the death penalty in a state that abolished it seven years ago, and at a time when President Donald Trump has repeatedly echoed his support for the death penalty, particularly for those who kill… Continue reading
May 16 Lawyer says Rapper T.I. 'wrongfully arrested' near his home By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press The rapper T.I. was arrested early Wednesday as he tried to enter his gated community outside Atlanta and was charged with disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and simple assault — but the artist's lawyer called it a wrongful arrest. Continue reading
May 16 Trump financial disclosure includes reimbursement to personal attorney Michael Cohen By Associated Press No mention was made of a $130,000 paid to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair. A footnote in tiny type on page 45 of the 92 page document says the president "fully reimbursed" Cohen… Continue reading
May 16 Michigan State and Nassar victims reach $500 million settlement By David Eggert, Ed White, Associated Press LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University on Wednesday announced a $500 million settlement with more than 300 women and girls who said they were assaulted by sports doctor Larry Nassar in the worst sex-abuse case in sports history. Continue reading
May 16 WATCH: Cambridge Analytica whistleblower testifies before Senate By Associated Press The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing Wednesday on the future of data privacy following revelations that Cambridge Analytica gathered personal information from some 87 million Facebook users. You can watch it live here. Continue reading
May 15 EPA inspector general opens investigation of Pruitt's use of multiple email accounts By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press The agency's inspector general is now conducting about a half-dozen investigative audits of EPA chief Scott Pruitt's travel, security and other matters. Continue reading
May 15 Judge throws out 2016 California law that allows life-ending drugs By Associated Press Lawyers for advocates and opponents say Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia did not rule on the legality of physician-assisted death. He issued an oral ruling Tuesday saying lawmakers acted illegally in passing the law during a special session… Continue reading