WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.907805/gov.uscourts.cacd.907805.1.0_1.pdf">Click here to read</a> the indictment

The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — are in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018. They come after the implosion of a plea deal over the summer that would have spared him jail time, putting the case on track to a possible trial as his father campaigns for reelection.

Hunter Biden “spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills,” special counsel David Weiss said in a statement. The charges are centered on at least $1.4 million in taxes Hunter Biden owed during between 2016 and 2019, a period where he has acknowledged struggling with addiction. The back taxes have since been paid.

If convicted, Hunter Biden, 53, could a maximum of 17 years in prison. The special counsel probe remains open, Weiss said.

In a fiery response, defense attorney Abbe Lowell accused Weiss of “bowing to Republican pressure" in the case.

“Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought," Lowell said in a statement.

The White House declined to comment on Thursday’s indictment, referring questions to the Justice Department or Hunter Biden’s personal representatives.

The charging documents filed in California, where he lives, details spending on everything from drugs and strippers to luxury hotels and exotic cars, “in short, everything but his taxes," prosecutor Leo Wise wrote.

The indictment comes as congressional Republicans pursue an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">impeachment inquiry into President Biden</a>, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. The House is expected to vote next week on formally authorizing the inquiry.

No evidence has emerged so far to prove that Joe Biden, in his current or previous office, abused his role or accepted bribes, though questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business.

The separate, long-running criminal investigation into Hunter Biden had been expected to wind down with a plea deal where he would have gotten two years' probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and avoided prosecution on the gun charge if he stayed out of trouble.

The agreement was pilloried as a “sweetheart deal” by Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. He is facing his own criminal cases, including charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-9528a29b2dbebb6ee4a4ebd26780f98c">plotted to overturn</a>&nbsp;the results of the 2020 election.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, gave credit for the new charges Thursday to two IRS investigators who testified before Congress that the Justice Department had mishandled and “slow walked” the investigation into the president's son. Justice officials have denied those allegations.

The two IRS employees, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, said the indictment was “a complete vindication of our thorough investigation.”

The new charges against Hunter Biden include filing a false return and tax evasion felonies, as well as misdemeanor failure to file and failure to pay.

The defense signaled that it plans to fight the new charges, likely at least in part relying on immunity provisions from the original plea deal. Defense attorneys have argued those remain in force since that part of the agreement was signed by a prosecutor before the deal was scrapped.

Prosecutors have disagreed, pointing out the documents weren’t signed by a judge and are invalid.

Lowell said he's also planning to push for dismissal of the gun charges next week, calling them “unprecedented and unconstitutional."

The three federal gun charges filed in Delaware allege Hunter Biden had lied about his drug use to buy a gun that he kept for 11 days in 2018. Federal law bans gun possession by “habitual drug users,” though the measure is seldom seen as a stand-alone charge and has been called into question by a federal appeals court.

Hunter Biden’s longstanding struggle with substance abuse worsened after the death of his brother Beau Biden in 2015, according to court documents and his memoir “Beautiful Things," which ends with him getting clean in 2019.

His gross income nevertheless totaled some $7 million between 2016 and 2020, prosecutors said, pointing to his roles on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma and a Chinese private equity fund as well as his position at a law firm.

Hunter did eventually file his taxes in 2020, while facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-child-support-arkansas-paternity-89fb7080985efe52c5c3bc94c37d6ac1">child-support case</a>&nbsp;in Arkansas, and the back taxes were paid by a “third party,” prosecutors have said in court documents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695255188333.png" alt="-Hunter Biden “spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills,” special counsel David Weiss said in a statement-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>-Hunter Biden “spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills,” special counsel David Weiss said in a statement-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.907805/gov.uscourts.cacd.907805.1.0_1.pdf">Click here to read</a> the indictmentThe new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — are in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018. They come after the implosion of a plea deal over the summer that would have spared him jail time, putting the case on track to a possible trial as his father campaigns for reelection.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702004663484.png" alt="The indictment includes summary of the expenditures Hunter Biden made instead of paying his taxes, per prosectors " />
 <figcaption>The indictment includes summary of the expenditures Hunter Biden made instead of paying his taxes, per prosectors </figcaption>
 </figure>Hunter Biden “spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills,” special counsel David Weiss said in a statement. The charges are centered on at least $1.4 million in taxes Hunter Biden owed during between 2016 and 2019, a period where he has acknowledged struggling with addiction. The back taxes have since been paid.If convicted, Hunter Biden, 53, could a maximum of 17 years in prison. The special counsel probe remains open, Weiss said.In a fiery response, defense attorney Abbe Lowell accused Weiss of “bowing to Republican pressure" in the case.“Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought," Lowell said in a statement.The White House declined to comment on Thursday’s indictment, referring questions to the Justice Department or Hunter Biden’s personal representatives.The charging documents filed in California, where he lives, details spending on everything from drugs and strippers to luxury hotels and exotic cars, “in short, everything but his taxes," prosecutor Leo Wise wrote.The indictment comes as congressional Republicans pursue an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">impeachment inquiry into President Biden</a>, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. The House is expected to vote next week on formally authorizing the inquiry.No evidence has emerged so far to prove that Joe Biden, in his current or previous office, abused his role or accepted bribes, though questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business.The separate, long-running criminal investigation into Hunter Biden had been expected to wind down with a plea deal where he would have gotten two years' probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and avoided prosecution on the gun charge if he stayed out of trouble.The agreement was pilloried as a “sweetheart deal” by Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. He is facing his own criminal cases, including charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-9528a29b2dbebb6ee4a4ebd26780f98c">plotted to overturn</a>&nbsp;the results of the 2020 election.Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, gave credit for the new charges Thursday to two IRS investigators who testified before Congress that the Justice Department had mishandled and “slow walked” the investigation into the president's son. Justice officials have denied those allegations.The two IRS employees, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, said the indictment was “a complete vindication of our thorough investigation.”The new charges against Hunter Biden include filing a false return and tax evasion felonies, as well as misdemeanor failure to file and failure to pay.The defense signaled that it plans to fight the new charges, likely at least in part relying on immunity provisions from the original plea deal. Defense attorneys have argued those remain in force since that part of the agreement was signed by a prosecutor before the deal was scrapped.Prosecutors have disagreed, pointing out the documents weren’t signed by a judge and are invalid.Lowell said he's also planning to push for dismissal of the gun charges next week, calling them “unprecedented and unconstitutional."The three federal gun charges filed in Delaware allege Hunter Biden had lied about his drug use to buy a gun that he kept for 11 days in 2018. Federal law bans gun possession by “habitual drug users,” though the measure is seldom seen as a stand-alone charge and has been called into question by a federal appeals court.Hunter Biden’s longstanding struggle with substance abuse worsened after the death of his brother Beau Biden in 2015, according to court documents and his memoir “Beautiful Things," which ends with him getting clean in 2019.His gross income nevertheless totaled some $7 million between 2016 and 2020, prosecutors said, pointing to his roles on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma and a Chinese private equity fund as well as his position at a law firm.Hunter did eventually file his taxes in 2020, while facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-child-support-arkansas-paternity-89fb7080985efe52c5c3bc94c37d6ac1">child-support case</a>&nbsp;in Arkansas, and the back taxes were paid by a “third party,” prosecutors have said in court documents.

What Hunter Biden is accused of spending money on instead of paying taxes

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A judge on Thursday gave a pregnant woman whose fetus has a fatal diagnosis permission to get an abortion in an unprecedented challenge over bans that more than a dozen states have enacted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-dobbs-anniversary-state-laws-51c2a83899f133556e715342abfcface">since Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>.

The lawsuit by Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two from the Dallas area,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-texas-lawsuit-dc5f97fdccf801f572bb5acffac3ad45">is believed to be the first time</a>&nbsp;since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that a woman has asked a court to approve an immediate abortion. The order only applies to Cox and her attorneys afterward spoke cautiously about any wider impacts, calling it unfeasible that scores of other women seeking abortions would also now to turn to courts.

“This can't be the new normal,” said Marc Hearron, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights. “I don’t think you can expect to see now hundreds of cases being filed on behalf of patients. It's just not realistic.”

State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, an elected Democrat, granted a temporary restraining order allowing Cox to have an abortion under what are narrow exceptions to Texas' ban. Her attorneys afterward said they would not disclose what Cox was planning to do next, citing concerns for her safety.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office argued that Cox did not meet the criteria for a medical exception, issued a statement that did not say whether the state would appeal. But in a letter to three Houston hospitals, Paxton warned that legal consequences were still possible if Cox's physician provided the abortion.

Cox, who is 20 weeks pregnant, attended the hearing via Zoom along with her husband but did not address the court. Doctors have told Cox that if the baby’s heartbeat were to stop, inducing labor would carry a risk of a uterine rupture because of her prior cesareans sections, and that another C-section at full term would would endanger her ability to carry another child.

“The idea that Ms. Cox wants so desperately to be a parent and this law may have her lose that ability is shocking and would be a genuine miscarriage of justice," Gamble said.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, which is representing Cox, has said this lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Since that landmark ruling, Texas and 12 other states rushed to ban abortion at nearly all stages of pregnancy. Opponents have sought to weaken those bans, including an ongoing Texas challenge over whether the state's law is too restrictive for women with pregnancy complications.

“I do not want to continue the pain and suffering that has plagued this pregnancy or continue to put my body or my mental health through the risks of continuing this pregnancy,” Cox wrote in an editorial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/12/07/i-need-to-end-my-pregnancy-now-it-is-the-best-chance-for-my-health-and-well-being/?utm_term=344619&amp;utm_medium=%E2%80%98I%20need%20to%20end%20my%20pregnancy%20now&amp;utm_source=pushly&amp;utm_content=e152fa1d-81d2-4ccc-bfdb-67c78f7fe2b5&amp;utm_campaign=3898389">published in The Dallas Morning News</a>. “I do not want my baby to arrive in this world only to watch her suffer.”

The temporary restraining order stops Texas from enforcing the state's ban on Cox and lasts for 14 days. Under the restrictions in Texas, doctors who provide abortions could face criminal charges that carry a punishment of up to life in prison. They could also be fined. Pregnant women cannot be criminally charged for having an abortion in Texas.

Paxton told the Houston hospitals the order “will not insulate you” from civil and criminal liabilities, arguing that private citizens could still bring lawsuits and local prosecutors could still bring charges.

Seth Chandler, a law professor at the University of Houston, said he would have concerns as a physician based on both legal issues and Paxton's “apparent zeal” to enforce the state's abortion ban.

“If I were one of the doctors involved here, I would not sleep easy performing that abortion,” he said.

Although Texas allows exceptions under the ban, doctors and women have argued that the requirements are so vaguely worded that physicians still won't risk providing abortions, lest they face potential criminal charges or lawsuits.

State officials had asked Gamble to deny the request, arguing that Cox has not shown her life is in imminent danger and that she is therefore unable to qualify for an exception to the ban.

The decision was handed down just two days after Cox filed the lawsuit, which says doctors told her the baby will likely be stillborn or live for a week at most.

Cox had cesarean sections with her previous pregnancies. She learned she was pregnant for a third time in August and was told weeks later that her baby was at a high risk for a condition known as trisomy 18, which has a very high likelihood of miscarriage or stillbirth and low survival rates, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed a week after the Texas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-texas-exceptions-lawsuit-82611bda29112775247d8e7adbc0a81b">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;about whether the ban is too restrictive for women with pregnancy complications. That case is among the biggest ongoing challenges to abortion bans in the U.S., although a ruling from the all-Republican court may not come for months.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A judge on Thursday gave a pregnant woman whose fetus has a fatal diagnosis permission to get an abortion in an unprecedented challenge over bans that more than a dozen states have enacted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-dobbs-anniversary-state-laws-51c2a83899f133556e715342abfcface">since Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>.The lawsuit by Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two from the Dallas area,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-texas-lawsuit-dc5f97fdccf801f572bb5acffac3ad45">is believed to be the first time</a>&nbsp;since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that a woman has asked a court to approve an immediate abortion. The order only applies to Cox and her attorneys afterward spoke cautiously about any wider impacts, calling it unfeasible that scores of other women seeking abortions would also now to turn to courts.“This can't be the new normal,” said Marc Hearron, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights. “I don’t think you can expect to see now hundreds of cases being filed on behalf of patients. It's just not realistic.”State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, an elected Democrat, granted a temporary restraining order allowing Cox to have an abortion under what are narrow exceptions to Texas' ban. Her attorneys afterward said they would not disclose what Cox was planning to do next, citing concerns for her safety.Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office argued that Cox did not meet the criteria for a medical exception, issued a statement that did not say whether the state would appeal. But in a letter to three Houston hospitals, Paxton warned that legal consequences were still possible if Cox's physician provided the abortion.Cox, who is 20 weeks pregnant, attended the hearing via Zoom along with her husband but did not address the court. Doctors have told Cox that if the baby’s heartbeat were to stop, inducing labor would carry a risk of a uterine rupture because of her prior cesareans sections, and that another C-section at full term would would endanger her ability to carry another child.“The idea that Ms. Cox wants so desperately to be a parent and this law may have her lose that ability is shocking and would be a genuine miscarriage of justice," Gamble said.The Center for Reproductive Rights, which is representing Cox, has said this lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Since that landmark ruling, Texas and 12 other states rushed to ban abortion at nearly all stages of pregnancy. Opponents have sought to weaken those bans, including an ongoing Texas challenge over whether the state's law is too restrictive for women with pregnancy complications.“I do not want to continue the pain and suffering that has plagued this pregnancy or continue to put my body or my mental health through the risks of continuing this pregnancy,” Cox wrote in an editorial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/12/07/i-need-to-end-my-pregnancy-now-it-is-the-best-chance-for-my-health-and-well-being/?utm_term=344619&amp;utm_medium=%E2%80%98I%20need%20to%20end%20my%20pregnancy%20now&amp;utm_source=pushly&amp;utm_content=e152fa1d-81d2-4ccc-bfdb-67c78f7fe2b5&amp;utm_campaign=3898389">published in The Dallas Morning News</a>. “I do not want my baby to arrive in this world only to watch her suffer.”The temporary restraining order stops Texas from enforcing the state's ban on Cox and lasts for 14 days. Under the restrictions in Texas, doctors who provide abortions could face criminal charges that carry a punishment of up to life in prison. They could also be fined. Pregnant women cannot be criminally charged for having an abortion in Texas.Paxton told the Houston hospitals the order “will not insulate you” from civil and criminal liabilities, arguing that private citizens could still bring lawsuits and local prosecutors could still bring charges.Seth Chandler, a law professor at the University of Houston, said he would have concerns as a physician based on both legal issues and Paxton's “apparent zeal” to enforce the state's abortion ban.“If I were one of the doctors involved here, I would not sleep easy performing that abortion,” he said.Although Texas allows exceptions under the ban, doctors and women have argued that the requirements are so vaguely worded that physicians still won't risk providing abortions, lest they face potential criminal charges or lawsuits.State officials had asked Gamble to deny the request, arguing that Cox has not shown her life is in imminent danger and that she is therefore unable to qualify for an exception to the ban.The decision was handed down just two days after Cox filed the lawsuit, which says doctors told her the baby will likely be stillborn or live for a week at most.Cox had cesarean sections with her previous pregnancies. She learned she was pregnant for a third time in August and was told weeks later that her baby was at a high risk for a condition known as trisomy 18, which has a very high likelihood of miscarriage or stillbirth and low survival rates, according to the lawsuit.The lawsuit was filed a week after the Texas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-texas-exceptions-lawsuit-82611bda29112775247d8e7adbc0a81b">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;about whether the ban is too restrictive for women with pregnancy complications. That case is among the biggest ongoing challenges to abortion bans in the U.S., although a ruling from the all-Republican court may not come for months.

Judge issues ruling in unprecedented abortion case

WASHINGTON&nbsp; (AP) —A salmonella outbreak tied to tainted cantaloupe has now killed eight people — three in the U.S. and five in Canada, health officials reported Thursday.

Dozens more illnesses were reported by both countries. In the U.S., at least 230 people have been ill in 38 states and 96 have been hospitalized since mid-November, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The tainted cantaloupe was also shipped to Canada, where 129 cases have been reported, including 44 hospitalizations, health officials reported.

.Many of the people who fell ill reported eating pre-cut cantaloupe in clamshell packages and trays sold in stores. Consumers should not buy, eat or serve cantaloupe, if they don’t know the source, the CDC said.

New recalls of whole and pre-cut fruit have been added to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/major-product-recalls/2023-recalls-food-products-associated-cantaloupes-due-potential-risk-salmonella" target="_blank">growing list,</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cut-fruit-express-recalls-fresh-cut-fruit-mix-containing-cantaloupe-because-possible-health-risk" target="_blank">Cut Fruit Express</a>&nbsp;initiated a recall of cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes containing cantaloupe. On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tgd-cuts-llc-recalls-certain-fresh-cut-fruit-cup-clamshell-and-tray-products-due-possible-health" target="_blank">TGD Cuts, LLC</a>&nbsp;launched a recall of specific fresh fruit cup, clamshell and tray products that contained cantaloupe from the company TruFresh.

Health officials are still working to determine whether additional products are linked to the illnesses.

Salmonella can cause serious illness in young children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701997370458.png" alt="-&nbsp; This map shows where the 230 people in this Salmonella outbreak lived. This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. FDA Map December 7&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>-&nbsp; This map shows where the 230 people in this Salmonella outbreak lived. This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. FDA Map December 7&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp; (AP) —A salmonella outbreak tied to tainted cantaloupe has now killed eight people — three in the U.S. and five in Canada, health officials reported Thursday.Dozens more illnesses were reported by both countries. In the U.S., at least 230 people have been ill in 38 states and 96 have been hospitalized since mid-November, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The tainted cantaloupe was also shipped to Canada, where 129 cases have been reported, including 44 hospitalizations, health officials reported..Many of the people who fell ill reported eating pre-cut cantaloupe in clamshell packages and trays sold in stores. Consumers should not buy, eat or serve cantaloupe, if they don’t know the source, the CDC said.New recalls of whole and pre-cut fruit have been added to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/major-product-recalls/2023-recalls-food-products-associated-cantaloupes-due-potential-risk-salmonella" target="_blank">growing list,</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cut-fruit-express-recalls-fresh-cut-fruit-mix-containing-cantaloupe-because-possible-health-risk" target="_blank">Cut Fruit Express</a>&nbsp;initiated a recall of cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes containing cantaloupe. On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tgd-cuts-llc-recalls-certain-fresh-cut-fruit-cup-clamshell-and-tray-products-due-possible-health" target="_blank">TGD Cuts, LLC</a>&nbsp;launched a recall of specific fresh fruit cup, clamshell and tray products that contained cantaloupe from the company TruFresh.Health officials are still working to determine whether additional products are linked to the illnesses.Salmonella can cause serious illness in young children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems.

US Embassy in Baghdad attacked with rockets

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of the president's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.

The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.

He had been previously expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors who said he failed to pay taxes on $4 million in personal income in 2017 and 2018. Defense attorneys have signaled they plan to fight any new charges.

The agreement imploded in July after a judge raised questions about it. It had also been pilloried as a “sweetheart deal” by Republicans investigating nearly every aspect of Hunter Biden's business dealings as well as the Justice Department's handling of the case.

Congressional Republicans have also pursued an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden</a>, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. The House is expected to vote next week on formally authorizing the inquiry.

While questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, no evidence has emerged so far to prove that Joe Biden, in his current or previous office, abused his role or accepted bribes.

The criminal investigation led by Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss has been open since 2018, and was expected to wind down with the plea deal that Hunter Biden had planned to strike with prosecutors over the summer. He would have pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor tax evasion charges and would have entered a separate agreement on the gun charge. He would have served two years of probation rather than get jail time.

The agreement also contained immunity provisions, and defense attorneys have argued that they remain in force since that part of the agreement was signed by a prosecutor before the deal was scrapped.

Prosecutors disagree, pointing out the documents weren’t signed by a judge and are invalid.

After the deal fell apart, prosecutors filed three federal gun charges alleging that Hunter Biden had lied about his drug use to buy a gun that he kept for 11 days in 2018. Federal law bans gun possession by “habitual drug users,” though the measure is seldom seen as a stand-alone charge and has been called into question by a federal appeals court.

Hunter Biden’s longstanding struggle with substance abuse had worsened during that period after the death of his brother Beau Biden in 2015, prosecutors wrote in a draft plea agreement filed in court in Delaware.

He still made “substantial income” in 2017 and 2018, including $2.6 million in business and consulting fees from a company he formed with the CEOs of a Chinese business conglomerate and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, but did not pay his taxes, prosecutors said in that filing.

He did eventually file his taxes in 2020 and the back taxes were paid by a “third party” the following year, prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695255188333.png" alt="The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of the president's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702004663484.png" alt="Indictment includes summary of the expenditures Hunter Biden made instead of paying his taxes, per prosectors&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Indictment includes summary of the expenditures Hunter Biden made instead of paying his taxes, per prosectors&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.He had been previously expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors who said he failed to pay taxes on $4 million in personal income in 2017 and 2018. Defense attorneys have signaled they plan to fight any new charges.The agreement imploded in July after a judge raised questions about it. It had also been pilloried as a “sweetheart deal” by Republicans investigating nearly every aspect of Hunter Biden's business dealings as well as the Justice Department's handling of the case.Congressional Republicans have also pursued an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden</a>, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. The House is expected to vote next week on formally authorizing the inquiry.While questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, no evidence has emerged so far to prove that Joe Biden, in his current or previous office, abused his role or accepted bribes.The criminal investigation led by Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss has been open since 2018, and was expected to wind down with the plea deal that Hunter Biden had planned to strike with prosecutors over the summer. He would have pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor tax evasion charges and would have entered a separate agreement on the gun charge. He would have served two years of probation rather than get jail time.The agreement also contained immunity provisions, and defense attorneys have argued that they remain in force since that part of the agreement was signed by a prosecutor before the deal was scrapped.Prosecutors disagree, pointing out the documents weren’t signed by a judge and are invalid.After the deal fell apart, prosecutors filed three federal gun charges alleging that Hunter Biden had lied about his drug use to buy a gun that he kept for 11 days in 2018. Federal law bans gun possession by “habitual drug users,” though the measure is seldom seen as a stand-alone charge and has been called into question by a federal appeals court.Hunter Biden’s longstanding struggle with substance abuse had worsened during that period after the death of his brother Beau Biden in 2015, prosecutors wrote in a draft plea agreement filed in court in Delaware.He still made “substantial income” in 2017 and 2018, including $2.6 million in business and consulting fees from a company he formed with the CEOs of a Chinese business conglomerate and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, but did not pay his taxes, prosecutors said in that filing.He did eventually file his taxes in 2020 and the back taxes were paid by a “third party” the following year, prosecutors said.

Hunter Biden hit with 9 tax-related charges in new indictment

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — The family of a 46-year-old Florida man has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against one of the biggest fast-casual restaurant chains in the U.S., claiming Panera Bread Company's caffeine-filled lemonade drink led to his death.

David Brown had high blood pressure and didn't drink energy drinks, but the lawsuit said he believed the Panera Charged Lemonade was safe since it was not advertised as an energy drink. It was offered in the same place as the restaurant chain’s non-caffeinated or less-caffeinated drinks, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in Superior Court in Delaware, where Panera Bread Company is registered.

The lawsuit states that on Oct. 9, Brown had the drink three times during a visit to the Panera Bread Company location in Fleming Island, Florida. On his walk home, he suffered cardiac arrest and died a short time later. He had ordered a Panera Charged Lemonade at least seven times over the course of two weeks in September and October, according to the lawsuit.

“Defendants knew or should have known that the Panera Charged Lemonade, as designed and formulated, once consumed, could injure children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people sensitive to caffeine by causing catastrophic injuries and/or death,” the lawsuit said.

No one from Panera’s corporate offices responded to an inquiry seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.

Brown had a chromosomal deficiency disorder, developmental delays, some blurred vision and mild intellectual disability, the lawsuit said. He had worked for 17 years at Publix Super Markets and would regularly go to the Panera restaurant after work for meals, as many as three times a week, because the lawsuit said he felt the chain advertised as being a healthy alternative to other restaurants.

Another wrongful death lawsuit was filed in October by the family of 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition who died in September 2022 after consuming the drink, according to media reports.

The privately-held Panera Bread Company, which is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, operates in 48 U.S. states and Canada.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701984246710.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — The family of a 46-year-old Florida man has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against one of the biggest fast-casual restaurant chains in the U.S., claiming Panera Bread Company's caffeine-filled lemonade drink led to his death.David Brown had high blood pressure and didn't drink energy drinks, but the lawsuit said he believed the Panera Charged Lemonade was safe since it was not advertised as an energy drink. It was offered in the same place as the restaurant chain’s non-caffeinated or less-caffeinated drinks, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in Superior Court in Delaware, where Panera Bread Company is registered.The lawsuit states that on Oct. 9, Brown had the drink three times during a visit to the Panera Bread Company location in Fleming Island, Florida. On his walk home, he suffered cardiac arrest and died a short time later. He had ordered a Panera Charged Lemonade at least seven times over the course of two weeks in September and October, according to the lawsuit.“Defendants knew or should have known that the Panera Charged Lemonade, as designed and formulated, once consumed, could injure children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people sensitive to caffeine by causing catastrophic injuries and/or death,” the lawsuit said.No one from Panera’s corporate offices responded to an inquiry seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.Brown had a chromosomal deficiency disorder, developmental delays, some blurred vision and mild intellectual disability, the lawsuit said. He had worked for 17 years at Publix Super Markets and would regularly go to the Panera restaurant after work for meals, as many as three times a week, because the lawsuit said he felt the chain advertised as being a healthy alternative to other restaurants.Another wrongful death lawsuit was filed in October by the family of 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition who died in September 2022 after consuming the drink, according to media reports.The privately-held Panera Bread Company, which is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, operates in 48 U.S. states and Canada.

Panera's 'Charged Lemonade' blamed for second death 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/07/nebraska-state-employees-union-renews-demands-to-bargain-for-remote-work/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Editor’s note: This report will be updated after the union’s press conference.

LINCOLN —&nbsp;The state employees union is renewing demands that the state bargain around remote work as the governor calls for state employees to return to in-person offices by Jan. 2.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents more than 8,000 state employees, on Thursday shared the results of a survey of union members conducted in the last week and planned a 12:15 rally at the Nebraska State Capitol. The union&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/28/state-employees-union-demands-negotiation-over-pillen-order-to-end-working-from-home/">initially called for a demand to negotiate</a>&nbsp;Nov. 28.

Gov. Jim Pillen’s office and the Department of Administrative Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday morning.

More than 1,700 employees responded to the survey, with nearly 1,400 (16% of the total state workforce, indicating they are considering non-state jobs because of the executive order:

“The survey results show that remote work opportunities are critical to retaining our current workforce,” said Melissa Haynes, president of the union and a lead social services worker in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement.

Pillen signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/13/governor-orders-end-to-remote-work-directs-state-workers-back-to-offices/">Nov. 13 executive order</a>&nbsp;ordering an end to remote work for state employees and stating they had to return to their offices full time by Jan. 2. In his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/EO-No.-23-17-Bringing-Nebraskas-Public-Servant-Workforce-Back-to-the-Office.pdf">order</a>, Pillen stated the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a great increase in remote work, is over.

The governor also dictated that the regular work hours of all employed public servants shall be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.&nbsp;

The order allows certain exceptions, such as if offices don’t have sufficient space.

Dan Birdsall, employee relations administrator and the state’s chief negotiator, has said there is no need to bargain because Pillen’s order simply assigns worksites and schedules, according to the union.

‘One-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work’

However, Justin Hubly, executive director of the union, said in a Wednesday email to Birdsall that the order “requires wholesale changes to the status quo” and that the related terms and conditions have not been negotiated.

Those negotiations are required, Hubly added, pursuant to Article 1.4 of the labor contract, the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act and the Industrial Relations Act.

“We are aware of hundreds of employees who were hired with a promise and advertisement of remote work opportunities, and who have never been assigned to a state office,” Hubly wrote, referring to a state webpage that advertises flexible work schedules.

Haynes said many workers, in both public and private sectors, have found remote work to be beneficial and to improve workplace efficiency.

“A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in 2023,” Haynes added.

The union said there is “good news,” however: 1,210 of the employees who said they’re considering leaving (87%) said they would stay if the executive order is rescinded.

“That’s why bargaining over this issue is so important,” Hubly said in a statement. “We are confident that through negotiations we can work out contract language that is beneficial to all, especially our fellow Nebraskans.”

Hubly said the following items must be bargained, though the list, he said, is not exhaustive:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701977699324.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska State Capitol (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska State Capitol (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/07/nebraska-state-employees-union-renews-demands-to-bargain-for-remote-work/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Editor’s note: This report will be updated after the union’s press conference.LINCOLN —&nbsp;The state employees union is renewing demands that the state bargain around remote work as the governor calls for state employees to return to in-person offices by Jan. 2.The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents more than 8,000 state employees, on Thursday shared the results of a survey of union members conducted in the last week and planned a 12:15 rally at the Nebraska State Capitol. The union&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/28/state-employees-union-demands-negotiation-over-pillen-order-to-end-working-from-home/">initially called for a demand to negotiate</a>&nbsp;Nov. 28.Gov. Jim Pillen’s office and the Department of Administrative Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday morning.More than 1,700 employees responded to the survey, with nearly 1,400 (16% of the total state workforce, indicating they are considering non-state jobs because of the executive order:<ul>
 <li>797 employees said they were considering looking for a new employer.</li><li>593 more employees said they are actively looking or have already applied for new employment.</li>
 </ul>“The survey results show that remote work opportunities are critical to retaining our current workforce,” said Melissa Haynes, president of the union and a lead social services worker in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement.<h2>State says bargaining not required</h2>Pillen signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/13/governor-orders-end-to-remote-work-directs-state-workers-back-to-offices/">Nov. 13 executive order</a>&nbsp;ordering an end to remote work for state employees and stating they had to return to their offices full time by Jan. 2. In his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/EO-No.-23-17-Bringing-Nebraskas-Public-Servant-Workforce-Back-to-the-Office.pdf">order</a>, Pillen stated the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a great increase in remote work, is over.The governor also dictated that the regular work hours of all employed public servants shall be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.&nbsp;The order allows certain exceptions, such as if offices don’t have sufficient space.Dan Birdsall, employee relations administrator and the state’s chief negotiator, has said there is no need to bargain because Pillen’s order simply assigns worksites and schedules, according to the union.<h2>‘One-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work’</h2>However, Justin Hubly, executive director of the union, said in a Wednesday email to Birdsall that the order “requires wholesale changes to the status quo” and that the related terms and conditions have not been negotiated.Those negotiations are required, Hubly added, pursuant to Article 1.4 of the labor contract, the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act and the Industrial Relations Act.“We are aware of hundreds of employees who were hired with a promise and advertisement of remote work opportunities, and who have never been assigned to a state office,” Hubly wrote, referring to a state webpage that advertises flexible work schedules.Haynes said many workers, in both public and private sectors, have found remote work to be beneficial and to improve workplace efficiency.“A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in 2023,” Haynes added.The union said there is “good news,” however: 1,210 of the employees who said they’re considering leaving (87%) said they would stay if the executive order is rescinded.“That’s why bargaining over this issue is so important,” Hubly said in a statement. “We are confident that through negotiations we can work out contract language that is beneficial to all, especially our fellow Nebraskans.”<h2>Bargain demands</h2>Hubly said the following items must be bargained, though the list, he said, is not exhaustive:<ul>
 <li>The definition of remote work and remote location.</li><li>The assignment procedures, criteria and expenses if an in-office arrangement is not possible.</li><li>The assignment procedures, criteria and expenses if an office is at full capacity.</li><li>The definition, criteria and duration for exceptions to sustain critical operations.</li><li>The definition and requirements to declare a workforce shortfall to allow remote work.</li><li>Remote work options in lieu of using leave during severe weather or other emergencies.</li><li>The criteria for an agency head to make exceptions on an individual basis.</li><li>The procedures for measuring and confirming productivity in remote assignments.</li><li>Parking availability and assignments.</li>
 </ul>

Nebraska state employees union renews demands to bargain for remote work

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democratic leaders on Wednesday called on Congress to pass President Joe Biden’s $16 billion supplemental child care funding request.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts gathered with child care activists and other House Democrats at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol.

Child care providers with the Care Can’t Wait coalition discussed their support for the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request, which has not been acted upon yet in Congress.

The Care Can’t Wait coalition includes organizations such as the Service Employees International Union and Community Change Action.

Community Change Action is a group advocating for “low-income people, especially low-income people of color,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://communitychange.org/about/">website</a>. Members of the coalition also spent the day lobbying lawmakers in a call for action on child care funding.

Other Democrats showing support at the press conference included U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Lois Frankel of Florida, Sara Jacobs of California and Joaquin Castro of Texas.

With pandemic-era American Rescue Plan funds expiring, the White&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">requested</a>&nbsp;that Congress pass $16 billion in supplemental funds to help continue support for child care providers.

This funding would “support more than 220,000 child care providers across the country that serve a total of more than 10 million kids,” according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">November White House press release</a>.

Jeffries said House Democrats will do “whatever it takes” to support child care providers. He said Democrats will “stand strongly and fight” for “the entire amount of funding.”

“We are going to continue to show up, we are going to continue to stand up, we are going to continue to speak up,” Jeffries said, “until we are able to secure here in the Congress $16 billion in funding necessary to allow the child care system to continue to function in a dignified fashion.”

Clark said that without this supplemental funding, “workers will be laid off, kids will lose their classrooms and parents will have nowhere to turn.”

DeLauro said many families are “accepting lower household income and a lower standard of living in order to stay home and take care of their children.”

Bonamici called for a bipartisan effort to pass the Biden administration’s supplemental child care funding request.

“We must work together and save childcare because care can’t wait,” Bonamici said.

BriTanya Brown, a Community Change Action member and child care provider from Texas, said she struggled to afford child care for her own children.

“I couldn’t afford to put my children in care,” Brown said. “There were no care options available.”

Brown said her limited options for child care are because of a teacher shortage. Many teachers “do not have rising wages to support their own families,” Brown said.

Brown said it is important for children to have “an equal opportunity for the highest education.”

Maria Angelica Vargas, a child care provider from California and SEIU member, said families struggle to get the “affordable child care they need.”

“Let’s make sure families have access to affordable, high quality child care by investing in our child care systems through additional emergency funding,” Vargas said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701974598676.png" alt="U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to advocates Dec. 6, 2023, outside the U.S. Capitol about $16 billion in child care funding requested by the Biden administration. (Samantha Dietel/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to advocates Dec. 6, 2023, outside the U.S. Capitol about $16 billion in child care funding requested by the Biden administration. (Samantha Dietel/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democratic leaders on Wednesday called on Congress to pass President Joe Biden’s $16 billion supplemental child care funding request.House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts gathered with child care activists and other House Democrats at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol.Child care providers with the Care Can’t Wait coalition discussed their support for the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request, which has not been acted upon yet in Congress.The Care Can’t Wait coalition includes organizations such as the Service Employees International Union and Community Change Action.Community Change Action is a group advocating for “low-income people, especially low-income people of color,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://communitychange.org/about/">website</a>. Members of the coalition also spent the day lobbying lawmakers in a call for action on child care funding.Other Democrats showing support at the press conference included U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Lois Frankel of Florida, Sara Jacobs of California and Joaquin Castro of Texas.<h2>Other funding running out</h2>With pandemic-era American Rescue Plan funds expiring, the White&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">requested</a>&nbsp;that Congress pass $16 billion in supplemental funds to help continue support for child care providers.This funding would “support more than 220,000 child care providers across the country that serve a total of more than 10 million kids,” according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">November White House press release</a>.Jeffries said House Democrats will do “whatever it takes” to support child care providers. He said Democrats will “stand strongly and fight” for “the entire amount of funding.”“We are going to continue to show up, we are going to continue to stand up, we are going to continue to speak up,” Jeffries said, “until we are able to secure here in the Congress $16 billion in funding necessary to allow the child care system to continue to function in a dignified fashion.”Clark said that without this supplemental funding, “workers will be laid off, kids will lose their classrooms and parents will have nowhere to turn.”DeLauro said many families are “accepting lower household income and a lower standard of living in order to stay home and take care of their children.”Bonamici called for a bipartisan effort to pass the Biden administration’s supplemental child care funding request.“We must work together and save childcare because care can’t wait,” Bonamici said.<h2>Struggling to afford care</h2>BriTanya Brown, a Community Change Action member and child care provider from Texas, said she struggled to afford child care for her own children.“I couldn’t afford to put my children in care,” Brown said. “There were no care options available.”Brown said her limited options for child care are because of a teacher shortage. Many teachers “do not have rising wages to support their own families,” Brown said.Brown said it is important for children to have “an equal opportunity for the highest education.”Maria Angelica Vargas, a child care provider from California and SEIU member, said families struggle to get the “affordable child care they need.”“Let’s make sure families have access to affordable, high quality child care by investing in our child care systems through additional emergency funding,” Vargas said.

U.S. House Democrats and advocates push for additional federal child care funding

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Terrified students and professors cowered in classrooms and dorms as a gunman roamed the floors of a University of Nevada, Las Vegas building,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-shooting-las-vegas-unlv-55ca455e2d00f1126cc1dbf4cc29139e">killing three people</a>&nbsp;and critically wounding a fourth before dying in a shootout with police.

The gunman in Wednesday's shooting was a professor who had unsuccessfully sought a job at the school, a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press. He previously worked at East Carolina University in North Carolina, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information publicly.

Another law enforcement official identified the suspect as Anthony Polito, 67. Investigators searched an apartment in Henderson, Nevada, late Wednesday as part of the investigation and retrieved several electronic devices, including Polito’s cellphone, the official said. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

The attack terrified a city that experienced the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history in October 2017, when a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-las-vegas-gun-politics-mass-shooting-176e1d7f0a020063b99e154beedcc429">killed 60 people and wounded more than 400</a>&nbsp;after opening fire from the window of a room at Mandalay Bay casino on the Las Vegas Strip a couple of miles from the UNLV campus.

Lessons learned from that shooting helped authorities to work “seamlessly” in reacting to the UNLV attack, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference.

The gunman opened fire about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday on the fourth floor of the building that houses UNLV’s Lee Business School and then went to several other floors before he was killed in a shootout with two university police detectives outside the building, UNLV Police Chief Adam Garcia said.

Authorities gave the all-clear about 40 minutes after the first report of an active shooter.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many of the school's 30,000 students were on campus at the time, but McMahill said students had been gathered outside the building to eat and play games. If police hadn’t killed the attacker, “it could have been countless additional lives taken,” he said.

“No student should have to fear pursuing their dreams on a college campus,” the sheriff said.

Police didn’t immediately identify the victims, or the attacker's motive. They also didn't say what kind of weapon was used, although some witnesses reported hearing as many as 20 shots fired.

UNLV professor Kevaney Martin took cover under a desk in her classroom, where another faculty member and three students took shelter with her.

“It was terrifying. I can’t even begin to explain,” Martin said. “I was trying to hold it together for my students, and trying not to cry, but the emotions are something I never want to experience again.”

Martin said she was texting friends and loved ones, hoping to receive word a suspect had been detained. When another professor came to the room and told everyone to evacuate, they joined dozens of others rushing out of the building. Martin had her students pile into her car and drove them off campus.

“Once we got away from UNLV, we parked and sat in silence,” she said. “Nobody said a word. We were in utter shock.”

Selena Guevara said she got a phone call from her daughter, Markie Montoya, who was in class in the building and heard “gunshots, screaming and yelling” but wasn’t hurt.

“She’s hysterical, telling me ‘I love you’ and so scared,” Guevara said.

Another student, Jordan Eckermann, 25, said he was in his business law class in a second-floor classroom when he heard a loud bang and a piercing alarm went off, sending students to their feet. Some ran from the room in panic while others heeded their professor’s instructions to stay calm, Eckermann said.

He walked out and locked eyes with a law enforcement officer in a bulletproof vest holding a long gun. Clothing, backpacks and water bottles lay scattered on the floor.

Eckerman said he mouthed to the officer, “Where do I go?”

Minutes later, when he was outside, Eckermann said he heard bursts of gunshots, totaling at least 20 rounds. The air smelled of gunpowder. He said he kept walking away from campus, even though he didn’t know where to go.

Classes were canceled through Friday at the university, and UNLV’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unlv-shooting-d8b15dd0d408b0a248e918dea1434915">basketball game</a>&nbsp;at the University of Dayton, Ohio, was canceled Wednesday night because of the shootings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701896546196.png" alt="--A glass door to the Student Union at UNLV is damaged from apparent gunfire. photo courtesy KSNV TV" />
 <figcaption>--A glass door to the Student Union at UNLV is damaged from apparent gunfire. photo courtesy KSNV TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LAS VEGAS (AP) — Terrified students and professors cowered in classrooms and dorms as a gunman roamed the floors of a University of Nevada, Las Vegas building,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-shooting-las-vegas-unlv-55ca455e2d00f1126cc1dbf4cc29139e">killing three people</a>&nbsp;and critically wounding a fourth before dying in a shootout with police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701975657898.png" alt="Polito from his Linkedin profile" />
 <figcaption>Polito from his Linkedin profile</figcaption>
 </figure>The gunman in Wednesday's shooting was a professor who had unsuccessfully sought a job at the school, a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press. He previously worked at East Carolina University in North Carolina, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information publicly.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE: Only Beam Hall (BEH) remains inaccessible while the police investigation is completed. All other buildings can be accessed via <a href="https://twitter.com/UPDSouth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UPDSouth</a> for anyone who needs to come to campus to gather essential belongings only (such as medicine, keys, etc.) <a href="https://t.co/27WF6p3wt4">https://t.co/27WF6p3wt4</a>&mdash; UNLV (@unlv) <a href="https://twitter.com/unlv/status/1732814166602424453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Another law enforcement official identified the suspect as Anthony Polito, 67. Investigators searched an apartment in Henderson, Nevada, late Wednesday as part of the investigation and retrieved several electronic devices, including Polito’s cellphone, the official said. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.The attack terrified a city that experienced the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history in October 2017, when a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-las-vegas-gun-politics-mass-shooting-176e1d7f0a020063b99e154beedcc429">killed 60 people and wounded more than 400</a>&nbsp;after opening fire from the window of a room at Mandalay Bay casino on the Las Vegas Strip a couple of miles from the UNLV campus.Lessons learned from that shooting helped authorities to work “seamlessly” in reacting to the UNLV attack, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference.The gunman opened fire about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday on the fourth floor of the building that houses UNLV’s Lee Business School and then went to several other floors before he was killed in a shootout with two university police detectives outside the building, UNLV Police Chief Adam Garcia said.Authorities gave the all-clear about 40 minutes after the first report of an active shooter.It wasn’t immediately clear how many of the school's 30,000 students were on campus at the time, but McMahill said students had been gathered outside the building to eat and play games. If police hadn’t killed the attacker, “it could have been countless additional lives taken,” he said.“No student should have to fear pursuing their dreams on a college campus,” the sheriff said.Police didn’t immediately identify the victims, or the attacker's motive. They also didn't say what kind of weapon was used, although some witnesses reported hearing as many as 20 shots fired.UNLV professor Kevaney Martin took cover under a desk in her classroom, where another faculty member and three students took shelter with her.“It was terrifying. I can’t even begin to explain,” Martin said. “I was trying to hold it together for my students, and trying not to cry, but the emotions are something I never want to experience again.”Martin said she was texting friends and loved ones, hoping to receive word a suspect had been detained. When another professor came to the room and told everyone to evacuate, they joined dozens of others rushing out of the building. Martin had her students pile into her car and drove them off campus.“Once we got away from UNLV, we parked and sat in silence,” she said. “Nobody said a word. We were in utter shock.”Selena Guevara said she got a phone call from her daughter, Markie Montoya, who was in class in the building and heard “gunshots, screaming and yelling” but wasn’t hurt.“She’s hysterical, telling me ‘I love you’ and so scared,” Guevara said.Another student, Jordan Eckermann, 25, said he was in his business law class in a second-floor classroom when he heard a loud bang and a piercing alarm went off, sending students to their feet. Some ran from the room in panic while others heeded their professor’s instructions to stay calm, Eckermann said.He walked out and locked eyes with a law enforcement officer in a bulletproof vest holding a long gun. Clothing, backpacks and water bottles lay scattered on the floor.Eckerman said he mouthed to the officer, “Where do I go?”The officer pointed to an exit.Minutes later, when he was outside, Eckermann said he heard bursts of gunshots, totaling at least 20 rounds. The air smelled of gunpowder. He said he kept walking away from campus, even though he didn’t know where to go.Classes were canceled through Friday at the university, and UNLV’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unlv-shooting-d8b15dd0d408b0a248e918dea1434915">basketball game</a>&nbsp;at the University of Dayton, Ohio, was canceled Wednesday night because of the shootings.

Police ID professor as shooter who killed 3 at UNLV

WASHINGTON (AP) — House members voted again Thursday to punish one of their own, targeting Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-fire-alarm-jamaal-bowman-house-bc9c1cca01fa918999621e0f7eb27165">triggering a fire alarm in one of the U.S. Capitol office buildings</a>&nbsp;when the chamber was in session.

The Republican censure resolution passed with some Democratic votes, but most Democrats stood by Bowman in opposition of an effort they said lacked credibility and integrity. The prominent progressive now becomes the third Democratic House member to be admonished this year through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">the censure process</a>, which is a punishment one step below expulsion from the House.

“It’s painfully obvious to myself, my colleagues and the American people that the Republican Party is deeply unserious and unable to legislate,” Bowman said Wednesday as he defended himself during floor debate. “Their censure resolution against me today continues to demonstrate their inability to govern and serve the American people.”

The 214-191 vote to censure Bowman caps nearly a year of chaos and retribution in the House of Representatives. Since January, the chamber has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ilhan-omar-house-foreign-affairs-committee-ee2ae3fd86b895c5b078d8bf576c3360#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Republican,GOP%20lawmakers%20over%20incendiary%20remarks.">the removal of a member from a committee assignment</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">the first ouster of a speaker</a>&nbsp;in history and, just last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-expulsion-vote-ethics-investigation-fd0f1524065883c6b2fe3e6f9afd84db">the expulsion of a lawmaker</a>&nbsp;for only the third time since the Civil War.

Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., who introduced the censure resolution, defended it, claiming Bowman pulled the alarm in September to “cause chaos and the stop the House from doing its business" as lawmakers scrambled to pass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">a bill to fund the government</a>&nbsp;before a shutdown deadline.

“It is reprehensible that a Member of Congress would go to such lengths to prevent House Republicans from bringing forth a vote to keep the government operating and Americans receiving their paychecks," McClain said in a statement.

Bowman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bowman-fire-alarm-house-shutdown-vote-misdemeanor-c32d97c1d86f2f1769596613d29678f3">pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor count</a>&nbsp;for the incident, which took place in the Cannon House Office Building. He agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation, after which the false fire alarm charge is expected to be dismissed from his record under an agreement with prosecutors.

The fire alarm prompted a buildingwide evacuation when the House was in session and staffers were working in the building. The building was reopened an hour later after Capitol police determined there was no threat.

Bowman apologized and said that at the time he was trying to get through a door that was usually open but was closed that day because it was the weekend.

Many progressive Democrats, who spoke in his defense, called the Republican effort to censure him “unserious," and they questioned why the party decided to target one of the few Black men in the chamber and among the first to ever represent his district.

“This censure is just the latest in this chamber’s racist history of telling Black men that they don’t belong in Congress,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.

The vote is the latest example of how the chamber has begun to deploy punishments like censure,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">long viewed as a punishment of last resort</a>, routinely and often in strikingly partisan ways.

“Under Republican control, this chamber has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during floor debate. “Republicans have focused more on censuring people in this Congress than passing bills that help people we represent or improving this country in any way.”

While the censure of a lawmaker carries no practical effect, it amounts to severe reproach from colleagues, as lawmakers who are censured are usually asked to stand in the well of the House as the censure resolution against them is read aloud.

Bowman is now the 27th person to be censured by the chamber — and the third just this year. Last month, Republicans voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-censure-resolution-tlaib-8085189047a4c40f2d44ada4604aa076">censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan</a>&nbsp;in an extraordinary rebuke of her rhetoric about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696253301965.png" alt="-Rep. Jamal Bowman pulling the alarm photo U.S. Capitol Police" />
 <figcaption>-Rep. Jamal Bowman pulling the alarm photo U.S. Capitol Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House members voted again Thursday to punish one of their own, targeting Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-fire-alarm-jamaal-bowman-house-bc9c1cca01fa918999621e0f7eb27165">triggering a fire alarm in one of the U.S. Capitol office buildings</a>&nbsp;when the chamber was in session.The Republican censure resolution passed with some Democratic votes, but most Democrats stood by Bowman in opposition of an effort they said lacked credibility and integrity. The prominent progressive now becomes the third Democratic House member to be admonished this year through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">the censure process</a>, which is a punishment one step below expulsion from the House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Headed back home this morning. Wonder if I need to pull this red alarm thingy to get out the Russell Senate Office building…? <a href="https://t.co/9d7gKTABsJ">pic.twitter.com/9d7gKTABsJ</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1708463092080705986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It’s painfully obvious to myself, my colleagues and the American people that the Republican Party is deeply unserious and unable to legislate,” Bowman said Wednesday as he defended himself during floor debate. “Their censure resolution against me today continues to demonstrate their inability to govern and serve the American people.”The 214-191 vote to censure Bowman caps nearly a year of chaos and retribution in the House of Representatives. Since January, the chamber has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ilhan-omar-house-foreign-affairs-committee-ee2ae3fd86b895c5b078d8bf576c3360#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Republican,GOP%20lawmakers%20over%20incendiary%20remarks.">the removal of a member from a committee assignment</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">the first ouster of a speaker</a>&nbsp;in history and, just last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-expulsion-vote-ethics-investigation-fd0f1524065883c6b2fe3e6f9afd84db">the expulsion of a lawmaker</a>&nbsp;for only the third time since the Civil War.Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., who introduced the censure resolution, defended it, claiming Bowman pulled the alarm in September to “cause chaos and the stop the House from doing its business" as lawmakers scrambled to pass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">a bill to fund the government</a>&nbsp;before a shutdown deadline.“It is reprehensible that a Member of Congress would go to such lengths to prevent House Republicans from bringing forth a vote to keep the government operating and Americans receiving their paychecks," McClain said in a statement.Bowman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bowman-fire-alarm-house-shutdown-vote-misdemeanor-c32d97c1d86f2f1769596613d29678f3">pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor count</a>&nbsp;for the incident, which took place in the Cannon House Office Building. He agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation, after which the false fire alarm charge is expected to be dismissed from his record under an agreement with prosecutors.The fire alarm prompted a buildingwide evacuation when the House was in session and staffers were working in the building. The building was reopened an hour later after Capitol police determined there was no threat.Bowman apologized and said that at the time he was trying to get through a door that was usually open but was closed that day because it was the weekend.Many progressive Democrats, who spoke in his defense, called the Republican effort to censure him “unserious," and they questioned why the party decided to target one of the few Black men in the chamber and among the first to ever represent his district.“This censure is just the latest in this chamber’s racist history of telling Black men that they don’t belong in Congress,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.The vote is the latest example of how the chamber has begun to deploy punishments like censure,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">long viewed as a punishment of last resort</a>, routinely and often in strikingly partisan ways.“Under Republican control, this chamber has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during floor debate. “Republicans have focused more on censuring people in this Congress than passing bills that help people we represent or improving this country in any way.”While the censure of a lawmaker carries no practical effect, it amounts to severe reproach from colleagues, as lawmakers who are censured are usually asked to stand in the well of the House as the censure resolution against them is read aloud.Bowman is now the 27th person to be censured by the chamber — and the third just this year. Last month, Republicans voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-censure-resolution-tlaib-8085189047a4c40f2d44ada4604aa076">censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan</a>&nbsp;in an extraordinary rebuke of her rhetoric about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>.

House votes to censure Rep. for pulling a fire alarm in Capitol building

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Four Republican presidential candidates were given several opportunities Wednesday to criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>, who was absent from the debate again. But they mostly targeted each other, with former United Nations Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;taking the brunt of the attacks as she gets more interest from donors and voters.

With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.

But the focus on Haley reflected how other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-desantis-trump-alternative-republican-donors-president-8cb080d3f236f77347d592200041c3b2">candidates perceive her as a threat</a>&nbsp;to their chances of taking on Trump directly. Aside from former New Jersey Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/chris-christie">Chris Christie</a>, most the candidates have spent more time in debates going after each other than taking aim at Trump, reflecting the former president’s popularity among Republicans and what many see as diminishing returns in attacking him.

The last scheduled debate before Iowa's GOP caucuses on Jan. 15 may have limited impact on the race, airing on a lesser-known television network, NewsNation, from a state Republican presidential candidates have carried since 1980.

Trump remains dominant in national and early-state polls. And after holding counterprogramming rallies during the first three debates, he didn't bother this time and instead went to a closed-door fundraiser. His campaign posted an ad during the debate focusing on President Joe Biden as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-biden-rematch-labor-day-c84d0905fd5d238e088618c5ed41c2e7">both parties head toward a potential rematch</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election Trump lost.

Christie repeatedly tore into Trump on Wednesday and challenged Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;to answer directly if he believed Trump was fit or unfit to be president again. The crowd at the University of Alabama booed him at one point as he attacked Trump.

“His conduct is unacceptable. He’s unfit. And be careful of what you’re going to get,” warned Christie, who has been alone among leading Republicans in his focus on the race's clear front-runner.

“There is no bigger issue in this race than Donald Trump,” he said earlier.

DeSantis suggested Trump, who is 77, is too old for the job.

“Over a four-year period, it is not a job for someone that’s pushing 80,” DeSantis said. “We need someone who’s younger.”

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy again raised his hand as a candidate who would support Trump even if he were convicted in any of the four felony indictments he faces. Ramaswamy accused his other opponents of bowing to Trump for years to secure political posts or financial gain, but the closest the 38-year-old ever came to criticizing Trump was to call for a new generation of leadership.

Haley stood silently during the extended discussion, and neither the moderators nor her rivals asked for her opinion.

The debate's brief focus on Trump was a reprieve for Haley, who spent most of the debate on the defensive.

DeSantis accused Haley of backing down from media criticism and Ramaswamy suggested she was too close to corporate interests as she gets new attention from donors. He touted his own willingness to pick high-profile fights with his critics and went after Haley just moments into the debate, reflecting the rivalry between the two candidates reflected in dueling early-state television ads.

They also tussled over China, long an animating issue for conservatives worried about Beijing’s influence. Later in the debate, Haley credited Trump for taking a hard line with Beijing on trade but said he was too passive on other fronts, including allowing China to capture American technology for its own military use and purchase American farmland.

Interrupting Haley, DeSantis accused her of allowing Chinese investment in South Carolina when she was governor and suggested her corporate donors would never allow her to be tough on Beijing.

“First of all, he’s mad because those Wall Street donors used to support him and now they support me,” Haley retorted before accusing DeSantis of being soft on Chinese investment in Florida.

Ramaswamy, always the most eager to deliver personal barbs on the debate stage, turned a foreign policy discussion into another attack on Haley, seemingly trolling her to name provinces in Ukraine and suggesting she does not understand the country. As he kept piling on, Christie stepped in to declare Haley “a smart, accomplished woman” and dismiss Ramaswamy as “the most obnoxious blowhard in America.”

With Trump absent, the atmosphere around the debate lacked some of the buzz sometimes associated with such affairs, especially in ostensibly open primaries. Less than two hours to go before the opening salvo, the media room, which is normally the practice hall for the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band, was barely half full. The television and radio platforms around the periphery -- the spin room, in debate parlance -- were noticeably quiet, lacking the high-profile surrogates or campaign staffers who might normally be appearing live on cable news or talk radio to pitch on their candidates’ behalf.

Outside Moody Music Hall on campus, more buzz came from state high school football championship games being played in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-debate-channel-time-livestream-2024-2c2e70ffe9017719a83483199493aa2c">may have been hard to find for many prospective viewers</a>. It aired on NewsNation, a cable network&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-kelly-debate-newsnation-9e93b815985f5e47b91a682bc3617cdf">still trying to build</a>&nbsp;its audience after taking over WGN America three years ago. NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas moderated alongside Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News anchor who now hosts a popular podcast, and Eliana Johnson of the conservative news site Washington Free Beacon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701917375349.png" alt="-With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.-photo courtesy Team Haley" />
 <figcaption>-With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.-photo courtesy Team Haley</figcaption>
 </figure>TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Four Republican presidential candidates were given several opportunities Wednesday to criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>, who was absent from the debate again. But they mostly targeted each other, with former United Nations Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;taking the brunt of the attacks as she gets more interest from donors and voters.With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.But the focus on Haley reflected how other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-desantis-trump-alternative-republican-donors-president-8cb080d3f236f77347d592200041c3b2">candidates perceive her as a threat</a>&nbsp;to their chances of taking on Trump directly. Aside from former New Jersey Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/chris-christie">Chris Christie</a>, most the candidates have spent more time in debates going after each other than taking aim at Trump, reflecting the former president’s popularity among Republicans and what many see as diminishing returns in attacking him.The last scheduled debate before Iowa's GOP caucuses on Jan. 15 may have limited impact on the race, airing on a lesser-known television network, NewsNation, from a state Republican presidential candidates have carried since 1980.Trump remains dominant in national and early-state polls. And after holding counterprogramming rallies during the first three debates, he didn't bother this time and instead went to a closed-door fundraiser. His campaign posted an ad during the debate focusing on President Joe Biden as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-biden-rematch-labor-day-c84d0905fd5d238e088618c5ed41c2e7">both parties head toward a potential rematch</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election Trump lost.Christie repeatedly tore into Trump on Wednesday and challenged Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;to answer directly if he believed Trump was fit or unfit to be president again. The crowd at the University of Alabama booed him at one point as he attacked Trump.“His conduct is unacceptable. He’s unfit. And be careful of what you’re going to get,” warned Christie, who has been alone among leading Republicans in his focus on the race's clear front-runner.“There is no bigger issue in this race than Donald Trump,” he said earlier.DeSantis suggested Trump, who is 77, is too old for the job.“Over a four-year period, it is not a job for someone that’s pushing 80,” DeSantis said. “We need someone who’s younger.”Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy again raised his hand as a candidate who would support Trump even if he were convicted in any of the four felony indictments he faces. Ramaswamy accused his other opponents of bowing to Trump for years to secure political posts or financial gain, but the closest the 38-year-old ever came to criticizing Trump was to call for a new generation of leadership.Haley stood silently during the extended discussion, and neither the moderators nor her rivals asked for her opinion.The debate's brief focus on Trump was a reprieve for Haley, who spent most of the debate on the defensive.DeSantis accused Haley of backing down from media criticism and Ramaswamy suggested she was too close to corporate interests as she gets new attention from donors. He touted his own willingness to pick high-profile fights with his critics and went after Haley just moments into the debate, reflecting the rivalry between the two candidates reflected in dueling early-state television ads.They also tussled over China, long an animating issue for conservatives worried about Beijing’s influence. Later in the debate, Haley credited Trump for taking a hard line with Beijing on trade but said he was too passive on other fronts, including allowing China to capture American technology for its own military use and purchase American farmland.Interrupting Haley, DeSantis accused her of allowing Chinese investment in South Carolina when she was governor and suggested her corporate donors would never allow her to be tough on Beijing.“First of all, he’s mad because those Wall Street donors used to support him and now they support me,” Haley retorted before accusing DeSantis of being soft on Chinese investment in Florida.Ramaswamy, always the most eager to deliver personal barbs on the debate stage, turned a foreign policy discussion into another attack on Haley, seemingly trolling her to name provinces in Ukraine and suggesting she does not understand the country. As he kept piling on, Christie stepped in to declare Haley “a smart, accomplished woman” and dismiss Ramaswamy as “the most obnoxious blowhard in America.”With Trump absent, the atmosphere around the debate lacked some of the buzz sometimes associated with such affairs, especially in ostensibly open primaries. Less than two hours to go before the opening salvo, the media room, which is normally the practice hall for the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band, was barely half full. The television and radio platforms around the periphery -- the spin room, in debate parlance -- were noticeably quiet, lacking the high-profile surrogates or campaign staffers who might normally be appearing live on cable news or talk radio to pitch on their candidates’ behalf.Outside Moody Music Hall on campus, more buzz came from state high school football championship games being played in Bryant-Denny Stadium.The debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-debate-channel-time-livestream-2024-2c2e70ffe9017719a83483199493aa2c">may have been hard to find for many prospective viewers</a>. It aired on NewsNation, a cable network&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-kelly-debate-newsnation-9e93b815985f5e47b91a682bc3617cdf">still trying to build</a>&nbsp;its audience after taking over WGN America three years ago. NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas moderated alongside Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News anchor who now hosts a popular podcast, and Eliana Johnson of the conservative news site Washington Free Beacon.The field of invited candidates has shrunk in half since eight were on the stage at the first debate in Milwaukee in August, as the Republican National Committee tightened the criteria to reach the stage each time. For Tuesday, candidates had to get at least 6% in multiple polls and amass 80,000 unique donors.Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-2024-president-campaign-republican-trump-0ec44fc2a5b8683f34883e0ea72b2ab2">Mike Pence</a>, South Carolina Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-drops-out-2024-race-b9cc8fbeba57a123789d8d0484164e38">Tim Scott</a>&nbsp;and North Dakota Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-republican-presidential-campaign-north-dakota-88d7335748c5c936a328dae96fef780e">Doug Burgum</a>&nbsp;have all dropped out of the race after participating in at least one debate. Former Arkansas Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asa-hutchinson">Asa Hutchinson</a>&nbsp;is continuing his campaign but failed to qualify.The debate setting in Alabama was another reminder of Trump’s strong position — and how he outpaced an even larger Republican field when he first ran and won in 2016. Trump swept Southern primaries from Virginia to Arkansas and Louisiana in his first campaign.He further demonstrated his hold this week with an endorsement from Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, who ascended in Republican politics from the party’s establishment wing but chose the debate in her home state as the right time to align herself with the former president.