Feb 29 Firefighters try to tame Texas wildfires before hot, windy weekend By Sean Murphy, Jim Vertuno, Associated Press The explosive growth of the second-largest wildfire in Texas history slowed as snow fell and winds and temperatures dipped, but the massive blaze was still untamed and threatening more death and destruction. Continue reading
Feb 28 Washington state House overwhelmingly passes ban on hog-tying by police By Hallie Golden, Associated Press The Washington state House has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would ban police from hog-tying suspects, a restraint technique that has long drawn concern because of the risk of suffocation. Continue reading
Feb 28 Watch 3:26 Supreme Court agrees to decide if Trump is immune from election interference prosecution By William Brangham, Matt Loffman The Supreme Court says it will hear arguments over whether Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The justices set oral arguments for the week of April 22. Trump’s pending trial in… Continue watching
Feb 28 Watch 4:29 News Wrap: High winds help wildfires spread across Texas Panhandle In our news wrap Wednesday, high winds pushed wildfires across the Texas Panhandle and one grew into the second largest in state history, the Supreme Court will decide whether to uphold a ban on bump stocks, the leader of Hamas… Continue watching
Feb 28 Watch 7:14 Yellen discusses state of the economy, importance of aid for Ukraine By Amna Nawaz, Murrey Jacobson, Stephanie Kotuby, Alexa Gold The Congressional funding deal reached Wednesday will avert a government shutdown for at least a week. Amna Nawaz discussed those negotiations. the overall state of the economy and aid for Ukraine with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Continue watching
Feb 28 How bump stocks ended up before the U.S. Supreme Court By Russ Bynum, Associated Press The U.S. government initially concluded that the devices that make semi-automatic weapons fire faster didn't violate a federal ban on machine guns. That changed after a gunman with bump stock-equipped rifles killed 60 people in Las Vegas in 2017. Continue reading
Feb 28 Patients urge Alabama lawmakers to restore IVF services in the state By Kim Chandler, Associated Press More than 150 in vitro fertilization patients have gathered at the Alabama Statehouse to urge lawmakers to find some way to restore IVF services in the state. Those gathered at the Statehouse Wednesday included patients and doctors alike. Continue reading
Feb 28 ‘Uncommitted’ wins 2 Democratic delegates in Michigan, a victory for Biden’s anti-war opponents By Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press While Biden won the state with more than 618,000 votes, more than 100,000 Michigan Democratic primary voters cast ballots for "uncommitted" in the race, enough to pick up the pair of delegates. Continue reading
Feb 28 $1 billion donation eliminates tuition at New York medical school, changing students’ lives By Michael Casey, Associated Press School officials said the donation should last for perpetuity, since interest earned means the lump sum will continue to grow. All students will qualify for the free tuition. Continue reading
Feb 28 Biden issues executive order to tackle foreign data brokers threatening Americans’ privacy By Will Weissert, Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press The order directs the Department of Justice to issue regulations that establish protections for Americans’ sensitive personal data, as well as sensitive government-related data — including geolocation information on sensitive government sites and members of the military. Continue reading