News Wrap: Trump will remain on Illinois primary ballot

Read the Full Transcript

• Geoff Bennett:

  In the day's other headlines: Former President Donald Trump will remain on the Illinois primary ballot. That state's election board declined today to remove him on the grounds that his conduct surrounding the January 6 insurrection disqualified him under the U.S. Constitution.

  The eight board members, Democrats and Republicans alike, said the courts must decide the constitutional question.

  Catherine McCrory, Member, Illinois State Board of Elections: But this Republican believes that there was an insurrection on January 6. There's no doubt in my mind that he manipulated, instigated, aided and abetted an insurrection on January

  6. However, having said that, it is not my place to rule on that today.

• Geoff Bennett:

  The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments next week on whether Mr. Trump is ineligible for the ballot in the state of Colorado.

  Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush has confirmed that she is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. It involves allegations that the St. Louis Democrat misused campaign funds to pay for her personal security against far right attacks. Bush denied wrongdoing today and said she's cooperating fully.

  A court in Pakistan convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan today of leaking state secrets and it sentenced him to 10 years in jail. Prosecutors said he broke the law when he waived a confidential document at a political rally. The verdict brought sharply different reactions both for and against Khan.

• Ayaz Rana, Pakistan Resident (through translator):

  Look at the decision. They must have made it within the scope of our Constitution. The punishment could also have been more extreme, but it's only 10 years, so the decision was made with some thought behind it.

• Saadia Ahsan, Pakistan Resident (through translator):

  We all know who is honest and who are the looters who have looted this country. Imran Khan is our last hope. The whole system is trying to eliminate him.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Today's action comes days ahead of elections in Pakistan, but Khan is not on the ballot because he's already serving prison time for corruption.

  The government of France announced new controls on foreign food products today in response to farmer protests. They have been demonstrating for more than two weeks, demanding higher incomes, lower costs, and less red tape. They have used their tractors and trucks to encircle Paris with barricades and they vowed today to keep up the pressure.

• Stephane Chopin, Organic Farmer (through interpreter):

  I am an organic farmer. We were driven into organic farming. And, today, it's not working anymore. I'm selling the organic beef meat at the price of the conventional one. I run my farm, but if I don't earn money I cannot invest. It's an economy that doesn't function anymore.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Farmers in Belgium and Spain are now saying that they are going to join the protest movement in solidarity.

  Back in this country, U.S. consumer confidence has reached a two-year high. The business research group Conference Board says its confidence index rose in January for a third straight month. Analysts tied the increase to slower inflation and continued economic growth.

  On Wall Street, stocks mostly drifted as Federal Reserve policymakers started their latest meeting on interest rates. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 134 points to close at 38467. The Nasdaq fell 118 points. The S&P 500 slipped three.

  And this year's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song goes to singing great Elton John and his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin. The Library of Congress announced the award today, citing hits that include "Your Song," "Tiny Dancer," Rocket Man," and many others. They will be honored at a concert in Washington on March 20.

  And the famed Broadway dancer, singer and actress Chita Rivera died today in New York. Over seven decades, she garnered 10 Tony nominations, won twice, and blazed a trail for Latina artists. Rivera first won fame in 1957 as Anita in the original "West Side Story." She recalled that experience for "American Masters" on PBS back in 2006.

  Chita Rivera, Dancer, Singer and Actress: Being inside of the piece was constant motion. That's what the emotion of the gangs was all about. That's what the youth of the time was all about, just movement, keep on moving. That's why it was quick great to dance it and to sing it. But just to sing it would not have been enough.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Chita Rivera was 91 years old.

  Still to come on the "NewsHour": the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, on his snubbing a meeting with the Biden campaign and his city's calls for a cease-fire in Gaza; major car manufacturers respond to recent challenges by slowing production of electric vehicles; and author Elizabeth Flock on telling three women's stories of using violence to fight abuse.