DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Joint British-U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;killed at least 16 people and wounded 35 others, the rebels said Friday, the highest publicly acknowledged death toll from the multiple rounds of strikes carried out over the rebels' attacks on shipping.

Three U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe a then-ongoing attack, described the strikes Thursday as hitting a wide range of underground facilities, missile launchers, command and control sites, a Houthi vessel and other facilities. They called it a response to a recent surge in attacks by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-red-sea-attacks-iran-503de70230fba0cd7c992558e2d1b83a">Iran-backed militia group</a>&nbsp;on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets involved in the strikes took off from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, officials said. Other U.S. warships in the region also participated.

But the Houthis focused Friday morning on just one of the strikes, which they said struck a building housing Hodeida Radio and civilian homes in the port city on the Red Sea. Their Al Masirah satellite news channel aired images of one bloodied man being carried down stairs and others in the hospital, receiving aid.

The Houthis described all those killed and hurt in Hodeida as civilians, something The Associated Press couldn't immediately confirm. The rebel force that's held Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014 includes fighters who often aren't in uniform.

Other strikes hit outside of Sanaa near its airport, and communication equipment in Taiz, the broadcaster said. Little other information was released on those sites — likely signaling that Houthi military sites had been struck.

“We confirm this brutal aggression against Yemen as punishment for its position in support of Gaza, in support of Israel to continue its crimes of genocide against the wounded, besieged and steadfast Gaza Strip,” Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi official, threatened both the U.S. and U.K. with further retaliation.

“We will meet escalation with escalation,” he wrote on X.

In the United Kingdom, the country's Defense Ministry said that Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on both Hodeida and further south in Ghulayfiqah. It described its targets as “buildings identified as housing drone ground control facilities and providing storage for very long-range drones, as well as surface-to-air weapons.”

“The strikes were taken in self-defense in the face of an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose,” U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. “There's an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose.”

The U.S. and the U.K. have launched strikes against the Houthis since January, with the U.S. regularly carrying out its own in the time since as well. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthis’ secretive supreme leader, offered an overall death toll for the strikes up to that point as 40 people killed and 35 others wounded. He didn't offer a breakdown between civilian and combatant casualties at the time.

The Houthis have stepped up attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, demanding that Israel end the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war began after Hamas-led militants</a>&nbsp;attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, killed three sailors, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. This week, they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-red-sea-attacks-iran-503de70230fba0cd7c992558e2d1b83a">attacked a ship carrying grain to Iran</a>, the rebels' main benefactor.

On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/FFEAU_ALINDIEN/status/1795837694960189920">another U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone</a>&nbsp;apparently crashed in Yemen, with the Houthis claiming they fired a surface-to-air missile at it. The U.S. Air Force didn’t report any aircraft missing, leading to suspicion that the drone may have been piloted by the CIA. As many as three may have been lost in May alone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708813391502.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Joint British-U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;killed at least 16 people and wounded 35 others, the rebels said Friday, the highest publicly acknowledged death toll from the multiple rounds of strikes carried out over the rebels' attacks on shipping.Three U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe a then-ongoing attack, described the strikes Thursday as hitting a wide range of underground facilities, missile launchers, command and control sites, a Houthi vessel and other facilities. They called it a response to a recent surge in attacks by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-red-sea-attacks-iran-503de70230fba0cd7c992558e2d1b83a">Iran-backed militia group</a>&nbsp;on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the Israel-Hamas war.The U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets involved in the strikes took off from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, officials said. Other U.S. warships in the region also participated.But the Houthis focused Friday morning on just one of the strikes, which they said struck a building housing Hodeida Radio and civilian homes in the port city on the Red Sea. Their Al Masirah satellite news channel aired images of one bloodied man being carried down stairs and others in the hospital, receiving aid.The Houthis described all those killed and hurt in Hodeida as civilians, something The Associated Press couldn't immediately confirm. The rebel force that's held Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014 includes fighters who often aren't in uniform.Other strikes hit outside of Sanaa near its airport, and communication equipment in Taiz, the broadcaster said. Little other information was released on those sites — likely signaling that Houthi military sites had been struck.“We confirm this brutal aggression against Yemen as punishment for its position in support of Gaza, in support of Israel to continue its crimes of genocide against the wounded, besieged and steadfast Gaza Strip,” Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X.Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi official, threatened both the U.S. and U.K. with further retaliation.“We will meet escalation with escalation,” he wrote on X.In the United Kingdom, the country's Defense Ministry said that Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on both Hodeida and further south in Ghulayfiqah. It described its targets as “buildings identified as housing drone ground control facilities and providing storage for very long-range drones, as well as surface-to-air weapons.”“The strikes were taken in self-defense in the face of an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose,” U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. “There's an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose.”The U.S. and the U.K. have launched strikes against the Houthis since January, with the U.S. regularly carrying out its own in the time since as well. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthis’ secretive supreme leader, offered an overall death toll for the strikes up to that point as 40 people killed and 35 others wounded. He didn't offer a breakdown between civilian and combatant casualties at the time.The Houthis have stepped up attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, demanding that Israel end the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war began after Hamas-led militants</a>&nbsp;attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, killed three sailors, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. This week, they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-red-sea-attacks-iran-503de70230fba0cd7c992558e2d1b83a">attacked a ship carrying grain to Iran</a>, the rebels' main benefactor.On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/FFEAU_ALINDIEN/status/1795837694960189920">another U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone</a>&nbsp;apparently crashed in Yemen, with the Houthis claiming they fired a surface-to-air missile at it. The U.S. Air Force didn’t report any aircraft missing, leading to suspicion that the drone may have been piloted by the CIA. As many as three may have been lost in May alone.

US-British airstrikes hit several strategic sites across Yemen

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex.

The Biden-Harris campaign issued a statement on the verdict.

Trump sat stone-faced while the verdict was read as cheering from the street below could be heard in the hallway on the courthouse's 15th floor where the decision was revealed after more than nine hours of deliberations.

“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” an angry Trump told reporters after leaving the courtroom. “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people. They know what happened, and everyone knows what happened here.”

Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where GOP leaders, who remained resolute in their support in the immediate aftermath of the verdict, are expected to formally make him their nominee.

The verdict is a stunning legal reckoning for Trump and exposes him to potential prison time in the city where his manipulations of the tabloid press helped catapult him from a real estate tycoon to reality television star and ultimately president. As he seeks to reclaim the White House in this year’s election, the judgment presents voters with another test of their willingness to accept Trump’s boundary-breaking behavior.

Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he returns to the campaign trail with felony convictions. There are no campaign rallies on the calendar for now, though he’s expected to hold fundraisers next week.

The falsifying business records charges carry up to four years behind bars, though Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would not say Thursday if prosecutors intend to seek imprisonment, and it is not clear whether the judge —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">who earlier in the trial warned of jail time for gag order violations</a>&nbsp;— would impose that punishment even if asked.

The conviction, and even imprisonment, will not bar Trump from continuing his pursuit of the White House.

Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">three other felony indictments</a>, but the New York case may be the only one to reach a conclusion before the November election, adding to the significance of the outcome. Though the legal and historical implications of the verdict are readily apparent, the political consequences are less so given its potential to reinforce rather than reshape already-hardened opinions about Trump.

Ahead of the verdict, Trump’s campaign had argued that, no matter what the jury decided, the outcome was unlikely to sway voters — and that the election would instead be decided by issues such as inflation.

For another candidate in another time, a criminal conviction might doom a presidential run, but Trump’s political career has endured through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-riots-trials-impeachments-b245b52fd7d4a079ae199c954baba452">two impeachments</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db">allegations of sexual abuse</a>, investigations into everything from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ac945e1c9ff24e5eb745eb76c5bd8a2a">potential ties to Russia</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotting to overturn an election</a>, and personally salacious storylines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">including the emergence of a recording in which he boasted about grabbing women’s genitals</a>.

In addition, the general allegations of the case have been known to voters for years and, while tawdry, are widely seen as less grievous than the allegations he faces in three other cases that charge him with subverting American democracy and mishandling national security secrets.

Even so, the verdict is likely to give President Joe Biden and fellow Democrats space to sharpen arguments that Trump is unfit for office, though for now the White House offered only a muted statement saying that it respected the rule of law. On the other hand, the decision will also provide fodder for the presumptive Republican nominee to advance his unsupported claims that he is victimized by a criminal justice system he insists is politically motivated against him.

Trump maintained throughout the trial that he had done nothing wrong and that the case should never have been brought, railing against the proceedings from inside the courthouse —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">where he was joined by a parade of high-profile Republican allies</a>&nbsp;— and racking up fines for violating a gag order with inflammatory out-of-court comments about witnesses.

Republicans showed no sign of loosening their embrace of the party leader, with House Speaker Mike Johnson releasing a statement lamenting what he called “a shameful day in American history.” He called the case "a purely political exercise, not a legal one.”

The first criminal trial of a former American president always presented a unique test of the court system, not only because of Trump’s prominence but also because of his relentless verbal attacks on the foundation of the case and its participants. But the verdict from the 12-person jury marked a repudiation of Trump’s efforts to undermine confidence in the proceedings or to potentially impress the panel with a show of GOP support.

“While this defendant may be unlike any other in American history, we arrived at this trial and ultimately today in this verdict in the same manner as every other case that comes through the courtroom doors, by following the facts and the law and doing so without fear or favor,” Bragg told reporters after the verdict.

The trial involved charges that Trump falsified business records to cover up hush money payments to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">Stormy Daniels</a>, the porn actor who said she had sex with the married Trump in 2006.

The $130,000 payment was made by Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-cohen-hush-money-stormy-daniels-735aadfd1ce015e05ba955c203a96f1b">Michael Cohen</a>&nbsp;to buy Daniels’ silence during the final weeks of the 2016 race in what prosecutors allege was an effort to interfere in the election. When Cohen was reimbursed, the payments were recorded as legal expenses, which prosecutors said was an unlawful attempt to mask the true purpose of the transaction. Trump’s lawyers contend they were legitimate payments for legal services.

Trump has denied the sexual encounter, and his lawyers argued during the trial that his celebrity status, particularly during the 2016 campaign,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-cohen-9be06e3d33c25af7060552a44001cc1a">made him a target for extortion</a>. They’ve said hush money deals to bury negative stories about Trump were motivated by personal considerations such as the impact on his family and brand as a businessman, not political ones. They also sought to undermine the credibility of Cohen,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">the star prosecution witness who pleaded guilty in 2018</a>&nbsp;to federal charges related to the payments, as driven by personal animus toward Trump as well as fame and money.

The trial featured more than four weeks of occasionally riveting testimony that revisited an already well-documented chapter from Trump’s past, when his 2016 campaign was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">threatened by the disclosure of an “Access Hollywood”</a>&nbsp;recording that captured him talking about grabbing women sexually without their permission and the prospect of other stories about Trump and sex surfacing that would be harmful to his candidacy.

Trump himself did not testify, but jurors heard his voice through a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hush-money-trial-new-fines-testimony-trump-fe6995afbc96650b67f46d813ab05f06">secret recording of a conversation</a>&nbsp;with Cohen in which he and the lawyer discussed a $150,000 hush money deal involving a Playboy model, Karen McDougal, who has said she had an affair with Trump: “What do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” Trump was heard saying on the recording made by Cohen.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-c69d54c51e2fccbbc0b19e2220222b0e">Daniels herself testified</a>, offering at times a graphic recounting of the sexual encounter she says they had in a hotel suite during a Lake Tahoe golf tournament. The former publisher of the National Enquirer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-national-enquirer-1dd3c3111febf219bdf1d8627504a3c5">David Pecker,</a>&nbsp;testified about how he worked to keep stories harmful to the Trump campaign from becoming public at all, including by having his company buy McDougal’s story.

Jurors also heard from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hush-money-trial-new-fines-testimony-trump-fe6995afbc96650b67f46d813ab05f06">Keith Davidson</a>, the lawyer who negotiated the hush money payments on behalf of Daniels and McDougal.

He detailed the tense negotiations to get both women compensated for their silence but also faced an aggressive round of questioning from a Trump attorney who noted that Davidson had helped broker similar hush money deals in cases involving other prominent figures.

But the most pivotal witness, by far, was Cohen, who spent days on the stand and gave jurors an insider’s view of the hush money scheme and what he said was Trump’s detailed knowledge of it.

“Just take care of it,” he quoted Trump as saying at one point.

He offered jurors the most direct link between Trump and the heart of the charges, recounting a meeting in which they and the then-chief financial officer of Trump Organization described a plan to have Cohen reimbursed in monthly installments for legal services.

And he emotionally described his dramatic break with Trump in 2018, when he decided to cooperate with prosecutors after a decade-long career as the then-president’s personal fixer.

“To keep the loyalty and to do the things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family,” Cohen told the jury.

The hush money case, though criticized by some legal experts who called it the weakest of the four prosecutions against Trump, took on added importance not only because it proceeded to trial first but also because it could be the only one of the cases to reach a jury before the election.

The other three — local and federal cases in Atlanta and Washington that he conspired to undo the 2020 election, as well as a federal indictment in Florida charging him with illegally hoarding top-secret records — are bogged down by delays or appeals.

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex.The Biden-Harris campaign issued a statement on the verdict.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717113294540.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump sat stone-faced while the verdict was read as cheering from the street below could be heard in the hallway on the courthouse's 15th floor where the decision was revealed after more than nine hours of deliberations.“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” an angry Trump told reporters after leaving the courtroom. “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people. They know what happened, and everyone knows what happened here.”Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where GOP leaders, who remained resolute in their support in the immediate aftermath of the verdict, are expected to formally make him their nominee.The verdict is a stunning legal reckoning for Trump and exposes him to potential prison time in the city where his manipulations of the tabloid press helped catapult him from a real estate tycoon to reality television star and ultimately president. As he seeks to reclaim the White House in this year’s election, the judgment presents voters with another test of their willingness to accept Trump’s boundary-breaking behavior.Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he returns to the campaign trail with felony convictions. There are no campaign rallies on the calendar for now, though he’s expected to hold fundraisers next week.The falsifying business records charges carry up to four years behind bars, though Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would not say Thursday if prosecutors intend to seek imprisonment, and it is not clear whether the judge —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">who earlier in the trial warned of jail time for gag order violations</a>&nbsp;— would impose that punishment even if asked.The conviction, and even imprisonment, will not bar Trump from continuing his pursuit of the White House.Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">three other felony indictments</a>, but the New York case may be the only one to reach a conclusion before the November election, adding to the significance of the outcome. Though the legal and historical implications of the verdict are readily apparent, the political consequences are less so given its potential to reinforce rather than reshape already-hardened opinions about Trump.Ahead of the verdict, Trump’s campaign had argued that, no matter what the jury decided, the outcome was unlikely to sway voters — and that the election would instead be decided by issues such as inflation.For another candidate in another time, a criminal conviction might doom a presidential run, but Trump’s political career has endured through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-riots-trials-impeachments-b245b52fd7d4a079ae199c954baba452">two impeachments</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db">allegations of sexual abuse</a>, investigations into everything from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ac945e1c9ff24e5eb745eb76c5bd8a2a">potential ties to Russia</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotting to overturn an election</a>, and personally salacious storylines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">including the emergence of a recording in which he boasted about grabbing women’s genitals</a>.In addition, the general allegations of the case have been known to voters for years and, while tawdry, are widely seen as less grievous than the allegations he faces in three other cases that charge him with subverting American democracy and mishandling national security secrets.Even so, the verdict is likely to give President Joe Biden and fellow Democrats space to sharpen arguments that Trump is unfit for office, though for now the White House offered only a muted statement saying that it respected the rule of law. On the other hand, the decision will also provide fodder for the presumptive Republican nominee to advance his unsupported claims that he is victimized by a criminal justice system he insists is politically motivated against him.Trump maintained throughout the trial that he had done nothing wrong and that the case should never have been brought, railing against the proceedings from inside the courthouse —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">where he was joined by a parade of high-profile Republican allies</a>&nbsp;— and racking up fines for violating a gag order with inflammatory out-of-court comments about witnesses.Republicans showed no sign of loosening their embrace of the party leader, with House Speaker Mike Johnson releasing a statement lamenting what he called “a shameful day in American history.” He called the case "a purely political exercise, not a legal one.”The first criminal trial of a former American president always presented a unique test of the court system, not only because of Trump’s prominence but also because of his relentless verbal attacks on the foundation of the case and its participants. But the verdict from the 12-person jury marked a repudiation of Trump’s efforts to undermine confidence in the proceedings or to potentially impress the panel with a show of GOP support.“While this defendant may be unlike any other in American history, we arrived at this trial and ultimately today in this verdict in the same manner as every other case that comes through the courtroom doors, by following the facts and the law and doing so without fear or favor,” Bragg told reporters after the verdict.The trial involved charges that Trump falsified business records to cover up hush money payments to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">Stormy Daniels</a>, the porn actor who said she had sex with the married Trump in 2006.The $130,000 payment was made by Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-cohen-hush-money-stormy-daniels-735aadfd1ce015e05ba955c203a96f1b">Michael Cohen</a>&nbsp;to buy Daniels’ silence during the final weeks of the 2016 race in what prosecutors allege was an effort to interfere in the election. When Cohen was reimbursed, the payments were recorded as legal expenses, which prosecutors said was an unlawful attempt to mask the true purpose of the transaction. Trump’s lawyers contend they were legitimate payments for legal services.Trump has denied the sexual encounter, and his lawyers argued during the trial that his celebrity status, particularly during the 2016 campaign,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-cohen-9be06e3d33c25af7060552a44001cc1a">made him a target for extortion</a>. They’ve said hush money deals to bury negative stories about Trump were motivated by personal considerations such as the impact on his family and brand as a businessman, not political ones. They also sought to undermine the credibility of Cohen,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">the star prosecution witness who pleaded guilty in 2018</a>&nbsp;to federal charges related to the payments, as driven by personal animus toward Trump as well as fame and money.The trial featured more than four weeks of occasionally riveting testimony that revisited an already well-documented chapter from Trump’s past, when his 2016 campaign was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">threatened by the disclosure of an “Access Hollywood”</a>&nbsp;recording that captured him talking about grabbing women sexually without their permission and the prospect of other stories about Trump and sex surfacing that would be harmful to his candidacy.Trump himself did not testify, but jurors heard his voice through a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hush-money-trial-new-fines-testimony-trump-fe6995afbc96650b67f46d813ab05f06">secret recording of a conversation</a>&nbsp;with Cohen in which he and the lawyer discussed a $150,000 hush money deal involving a Playboy model, Karen McDougal, who has said she had an affair with Trump: “What do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” Trump was heard saying on the recording made by Cohen.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-c69d54c51e2fccbbc0b19e2220222b0e">Daniels herself testified</a>, offering at times a graphic recounting of the sexual encounter she says they had in a hotel suite during a Lake Tahoe golf tournament. The former publisher of the National Enquirer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-national-enquirer-1dd3c3111febf219bdf1d8627504a3c5">David Pecker,</a>&nbsp;testified about how he worked to keep stories harmful to the Trump campaign from becoming public at all, including by having his company buy McDougal’s story.Jurors also heard from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hush-money-trial-new-fines-testimony-trump-fe6995afbc96650b67f46d813ab05f06">Keith Davidson</a>, the lawyer who negotiated the hush money payments on behalf of Daniels and McDougal.He detailed the tense negotiations to get both women compensated for their silence but also faced an aggressive round of questioning from a Trump attorney who noted that Davidson had helped broker similar hush money deals in cases involving other prominent figures.But the most pivotal witness, by far, was Cohen, who spent days on the stand and gave jurors an insider’s view of the hush money scheme and what he said was Trump’s detailed knowledge of it.“Just take care of it,” he quoted Trump as saying at one point.He offered jurors the most direct link between Trump and the heart of the charges, recounting a meeting in which they and the then-chief financial officer of Trump Organization described a plan to have Cohen reimbursed in monthly installments for legal services.And he emotionally described his dramatic break with Trump in 2018, when he decided to cooperate with prosecutors after a decade-long career as the then-president’s personal fixer.“To keep the loyalty and to do the things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family,” Cohen told the jury.The hush money case, though criticized by some legal experts who called it the weakest of the four prosecutions against Trump, took on added importance not only because it proceeded to trial first but also because it could be the only one of the cases to reach a jury before the election.The other three — local and federal cases in Atlanta and Washington that he conspired to undo the 2020 election, as well as a federal indictment in Florida charging him with illegally hoarding top-secret records — are bogged down by delays or appeals.

Read Biden campaign statement on Trump guilty verdict

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.

Jurors deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days before convicting Trump of all 34 counts he faced. Trump sat stone-faced while the verdict was read as cheering from the street below — where supporters and detractors of the former president were gathered — could be heard in the hallway on courthouse's 15th floor where the decision was revealed.

“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump told reporters after leaving the courtroom. “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people. They know what happened, and everyone knows what happened here.”

Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he returns to the campaign trail as a convicted felon. There are no campaign rallies on the calendar for now, though he’s expected to hold fundraisers next week. Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Republican leaders who remained resolute in their support in the immediate aftermath of the verdict are expected to formally make him their nominee.

The falsifying business records charges carry up to four years behind bars, though prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek imprisonment, and it is not clear whether the judge —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">who earlier in the trial warned of jail time for gag order violations</a>&nbsp;— would impose that punishment even if asked. The conviction, and even imprisonment, will not bar Trump from continuing his pursuit of the White House.

Even so, the verdict is likely to give President Joe Biden and fellow Democrats space to sharpen arguments that Trump is unfit for office, even as it provides fodder for the presumptive Republican nominee to advance his unsupported claims that he is victimized by a criminal justice system he insists is politically motivated against him.

The outcome provides a degree of vindication for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-da-bragg-hush-money-trial-a164881f43b1d5064a528b36eada937e">Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg</a>, who had characterized the case as being about election interference rather than hush money and defended it against criticism from legal experts who called it the weakest of the four prosecutions against Trump.

But it took on added importance not only because it proceeded to trial first but also because it could be the only one of the cases to reach a jury before the election.

The other three cases — local and federal charges in Atlanta and Washington that he conspired to undo the 2020 election, as well as a federal indictment in Florida charging him with illegally hoarding top-secret records — are bogged down by delays or appeals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717105639201.png" alt="“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump told reporters after leaving the courtroom-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump told reporters after leaving the courtroom-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump reacts to being found guilty on 34 felony counts in hush money case: &quot;This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5th by the people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/AA7F4zFNCf">pic.twitter.com/AA7F4zFNCf</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1796298500264603989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717106964399.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jurors deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days before convicting Trump of all 34 counts he faced. Trump sat stone-faced while the verdict was read as cheering from the street below — where supporters and detractors of the former president were gathered — could be heard in the hallway on courthouse's 15th floor where the decision was revealed.“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump told reporters after leaving the courtroom. “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people. They know what happened, and everyone knows what happened here.”The verdict is a stunning legal reckoning for Trump and exposes him to potential prison time in the city where his manipulations of the tabloid press helped catapult him from a real estate tycoon to reality television star and ultimately president. As he seeks to reclaim the White House in this year’s election, the judgment presents voters with another test of their willingness to accept Trump’s boundary-breaking behavior.Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he returns to the campaign trail as a convicted felon. There are no campaign rallies on the calendar for now, though he’s expected to hold fundraisers next week. Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Republican leaders who remained resolute in their support in the immediate aftermath of the verdict are expected to formally make him their nominee.The falsifying business records charges carry up to four years behind bars, though prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek imprisonment, and it is not clear whether the judge —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">who earlier in the trial warned of jail time for gag order violations</a>&nbsp;— would impose that punishment even if asked. The conviction, and even imprisonment, will not bar Trump from continuing his pursuit of the White House.Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">three other felony indictments</a>, but the New York case may be the only one to reach a conclusion before the November election, adding to the significance of the outcome. Though the legal and historical implications of the verdict are readily apparent, the political consequences are less so given its potential to reinforce rather than reshape already-hardened opinions about Trump.For another candidate in another time, a criminal conviction might doom a presidential run, but Trump’s political career has endured through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-riots-trials-impeachments-b245b52fd7d4a079ae199c954baba452">two impeachments</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db">allegations of sexual abuse</a>, investigations into everything from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ac945e1c9ff24e5eb745eb76c5bd8a2a">potential ties to Russia</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotting to overturn an election</a>, and personally salacious storylines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">including the emergence of a recording in which he boasted about grabbing women’s genitals</a>.In addition, the general allegations of the case have been known to voters for years and, while tawdry, are widely seen as less grievous than the allegations he faces in three other cases that charge him with subverting American democracy and mishandling national security secrets.Even so, the verdict is likely to give President Joe Biden and fellow Democrats space to sharpen arguments that Trump is unfit for office, even as it provides fodder for the presumptive Republican nominee to advance his unsupported claims that he is victimized by a criminal justice system he insists is politically motivated against him.Trump maintained throughout the trial that he had done nothing wrong and that the case should never have been brought, railing against the proceedings from inside the courthouse —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">where he was joined by a parade of high-profile Republican allies</a>&nbsp;— and racking up fines for violating a gag order with inflammatory out-of-court comments about witnesses.Republicans showed no sign of loosening their embrace of the party leader, with House Speaker Mike Johnson releasing a statement lamenting what he called “a shameful day in American history.” He called the case "a purely political exercise, not a legal one.”The first criminal trial of a former American president always presented a unique test of the court system, not only because of Trump’s prominence but also because of his relentless verbal attacks on the foundation of the case and its participants. But the verdict from the 12-person jury marked a repudiation of Trump’s efforts to undermine confidence in the proceedings or to potentially impress the panel with a show of GOP support.The trial involved charges that Trump falsified business records to cover up hush money payments to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">Stormy Daniels</a>, the porn actor who said she had sex with the married Trump in 2006.The $130,000 payment was made by Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-cohen-hush-money-stormy-daniels-735aadfd1ce015e05ba955c203a96f1b">Michael Cohen</a>&nbsp;to buy Daniels’ silence during the final weeks of the 2016 race in what prosecutors allege was an effort to interfere in the election. When Cohen was reimbursed, the payments were recorded as legal expenses, which prosecutors said was an unlawful attempt to mask the true purpose of the transaction. Trump’s lawyers contend they were legitimate payments for legal services.Trump has denied the sexual encounter, and his lawyers argued during the trial that his celebrity status, particularly during the 2016 campaign,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-cohen-9be06e3d33c25af7060552a44001cc1a">made him a target for extortion</a>. They’ve said hush money deals to bury negative stories about Trump were motivated by personal considerations such as the impact on his family and brand as a businessman, not political ones. They also sought to undermine the credibility of Cohen,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">the star prosecution witness who pleaded guilty in 2018</a>&nbsp;to federal charges related to the payments, as driven by personal animus toward Trump as well as fame and money.The trial featured more than four weeks of occasionally riveting testimony that revisited an already well-documented chapter from Trump’s past, when his 2016 campaign was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">threatened by the disclosure of an “Access Hollywood”</a>&nbsp;recording that captured him talking about grabbing women sexually without their permission and the prospect of other stories about Trump and sex surfacing that would be harmful to his candidacy.Trump himself did not testify, but jurors heard his voice through a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hush-money-trial-new-fines-testimony-trump-fe6995afbc96650b67f46d813ab05f06">secret recording of a conversation</a>&nbsp;with Cohen in which he and the lawyer discussed a $150,000 hush money deal involving a Playboy model, Karen McDougal, who has said she had an affair with Trump: “What do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” Trump was heard saying on the recording made by Cohen.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-c69d54c51e2fccbbc0b19e2220222b0e">Daniels herself testified</a>, offering at times a graphic recounting of the sexual encounter she says they had in a hotel suite during a Lake Tahoe golf tournament. The former publisher of the National Enquirer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-national-enquirer-1dd3c3111febf219bdf1d8627504a3c5">David Pecker,</a>&nbsp;testified about how he worked to keep stories harmful to the Trump campaign from becoming public at all, including by having his company buy McDougal’s story.Jurors also heard from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hush-money-trial-new-fines-testimony-trump-fe6995afbc96650b67f46d813ab05f06">Keith Davidson</a>, the lawyer who negotiated the hush money payments on behalf of Daniels and McDougal.He detailed the tense negotiations to get both women compensated for their silence but also faced an aggressive round of questioning from a Trump attorney who noted that Davidson had helped broker similar hush money deals in cases involving other prominent figures.But the most pivotal witness, by far, was Cohen, who spent days on the stand and gave jurors an insider’s view of the hush money scheme and what he said was Trump’s detailed knowledge of it.“Just take care of it,” he quoted Trump as saying at one point.He offered jurors the most direct link between Trump and the heart of the charges, recounting a meeting in which they and the then-chief financial officer of Trump Organization described a plan to have Cohen reimbursed in monthly installments for legal services.And he emotionally described his dramatic break with Trump in 2018, when he decided to cooperate with prosecutors after a decade-long career as the then-president’s personal fixer.“To keep the loyalty and to do the things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family,” Cohen told the jury.The outcome provides a degree of vindication for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-da-bragg-hush-money-trial-a164881f43b1d5064a528b36eada937e">Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg</a>, who had characterized the case as being about election interference rather than hush money and defended it against criticism from legal experts who called it the weakest of the four prosecutions against Trump.But it took on added importance not only because it proceeded to trial first but also because it could be the only one of the cases to reach a jury before the election.The other three cases — local and federal charges in Atlanta and Washington that he conspired to undo the 2020 election, as well as a federal indictment in Florida charging him with illegally hoarding top-secret records — are bogged down by delays or appeals.

🎥 Former President Trump reacts to being found guilty on 34 felony counts

Jurors convicted Trump on all 34 counts after deliberating for 9.5 hours. As the verdict was read, he sat stone-faced in court, looking down.

The verdict is a stunning legal reckoning for Trump and exposes him to potential prison time in the city where his manipulations of the tabloid press helped catapult him from a real estate tycoon to reality television star and ultimately president. As he seeks a return to the White House in this year’s election, the judgment presents voters with another test of their willingness to accept Trump’s boundary-breaking behavior.

Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he seeks to return to the campaign trail as a convicted felon. There are no campaign rallies on the calendar for now, though he’s expected to hold fundraisers next week. It will likely take several months for Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, to decide whether to sentence Trump to prison.

Guilty: Trump is first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes

***Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Bill Shepard, the pilot of the aircraft.

North Platte, Neb. - A 1945 TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber is hanging out at North Platte Regional Airport needing repairs before flying back home to Colorado.&nbsp;

The plane which is a part of the Commemorative Air Force Rocky Mountain Wing based out of Grand Junction, Colorado was flying back to its home base after an air show in Peru, Illinois when it made a quick stop in North Platte to refuel. During the service inspection, crews quickly found an issue with the magneto, and it needed to be replaced before takeoff.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The airplane magneto is described in a simple way as an ignition system. "An airplane needs two magnetos. on the left and right side and we need both to fly across the mountains," said Bill Shepard, the pilot of the plane. "For safety purposes, the left side of our magneto system has gone out on the fritz, and we air awaiting a new replacement part to have a field repair done."&nbsp;

The part is being flown into North Platte and crews will be working on getting the part replaced on the aircraft and Shepard says hopefully have the plane ready to take off around noon on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is an organization that restores and flies old aircraft to educate current and future generations. The organization is based out of Dallas, Texas. "We have 178 aircraft across the country in 25 states and 78 units," said Shepard.&nbsp;

The Rocky Mountain Wing, based in Grand Junction, Colorado, has this aircraft and a 1946 J3 Cub. If you would like to learn more about the CAF Rocky Mountain Wing, <a href="https://www.rockymountainwingcaf.org/">click here.&nbsp;</a>

The&nbsp;TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber will be on display for public viewing until 5:00pm Thursday. It's free to view and the crew of the plane will be around to chat about the aircraft or answer questions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

North Platte has treated the crew extremely well. "The North Platte Aviation Community has been great and came to our rescue."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717092688302.jpeg" alt="TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber (Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber (Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber interview with Bill Shepard" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3u45y-16287c7-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>***Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Bill Shepard, the pilot of the aircraft.North Platte Post&nbsp;North Platte, Neb. - A 1945 TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber is hanging out at North Platte Regional Airport needing repairs before flying back home to Colorado.&nbsp;The plane which is a part of the Commemorative Air Force Rocky Mountain Wing based out of Grand Junction, Colorado was flying back to its home base after an air show in Peru, Illinois when it made a quick stop in North Platte to refuel. During the service inspection, crews quickly found an issue with the magneto, and it needed to be replaced before takeoff.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095397756.jpeg" alt="Crews working on the aircraft (Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Crews working on the aircraft (Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>The airplane magneto is described in a simple way as an ignition system. "An airplane needs two magnetos. on the left and right side and we need both to fly across the mountains," said Bill Shepard, the pilot of the plane. "For safety purposes, the left side of our magneto system has gone out on the fritz, and we air awaiting a new replacement part to have a field repair done."&nbsp;The part is being flown into North Platte and crews will be working on getting the part replaced on the aircraft and Shepard says hopefully have the plane ready to take off around noon on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095471083.jpeg" alt="(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is an organization that restores and flies old aircraft to educate current and future generations. The organization is based out of Dallas, Texas. "We have 178 aircraft across the country in 25 states and 78 units," said Shepard.&nbsp;The Rocky Mountain Wing, based in Grand Junction, Colorado, has this aircraft and a 1946 J3 Cub. If you would like to learn more about the CAF Rocky Mountain Wing, <a href="https://www.rockymountainwingcaf.org/">click here.&nbsp;</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095499210.jpeg" alt="(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber will be on display for public viewing until 5:00pm Thursday. It's free to view and the crew of the plane will be around to chat about the aircraft or answer questions.&nbsp;&nbsp;North Platte has treated the crew extremely well. "The North Platte Aviation Community has been great and came to our rescue."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095435357.jpeg" alt="(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095585717.jpeg" alt="(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095599281.jpeg" alt="(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095610449.jpeg" alt="(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717095625016.jpeg" alt="(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Quick refuel stop in North Platte leads to TMB Avenger Torpedo Bomber needing engine repairs

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception — a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced last week the chamber would vote on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/text?s=6&amp;r=1">bill</a>&nbsp;in June, saying it would help to bolster women’s reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

“Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting women’s reproductive freedoms,” Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/cosponsors?s=6&amp;r=1">49 co-sponsors</a>, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signals-hes-open-state-limits-contraceptive-access-then-insists-hes-not">would be releasing a policy on contraception</a>&nbsp;in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

“We’re looking at that and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think it’s something that you’ll find interesting,” Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. “It’s another issue that’s very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think it’s a smart decision, but we’ll be releasing it very soon.”

Trump had been asked if he supports “any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception.”

Trump later said that “things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others.” That comment came after Trump was asked if he “may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?”

The House&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-passes-bill-guaranteeing-contraception-access-eight-gop-votes">approved a bill&nbsp;</a>similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as “an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.”

Senate Democrats&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-guaranteeing-right-birth-control-blocked-us-senate-republicans">tried to pass</a>&nbsp;their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">opinion</a>&nbsp;in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should “reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents” that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/381/479/">case</a>&nbsp;where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a “right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.”

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/405/438/">ruling</a>.

Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-march-2024-abortion-in-the-2024-election-and-beyond/">released</a>&nbsp;in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is “a secure right likely to remain in place.”

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is “a threatened right likely to be overturned.” A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657750242184.jpg" alt="Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that&nbsp;the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception " />
 <figcaption>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that&nbsp;the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception </figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's NewsroomWASHINGTON — U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception — a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced last week the chamber would vote on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/text?s=6&amp;r=1">bill</a>&nbsp;in June, saying it would help to bolster women’s reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.“Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting women’s reproductive freedoms,” Schumer said.The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/cosponsors?s=6&amp;r=1">49 co-sponsors</a>, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signals-hes-open-state-limits-contraceptive-access-then-insists-hes-not">would be releasing a policy on contraception</a>&nbsp;in the next week.Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.“We’re looking at that and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think it’s something that you’ll find interesting,” Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. “It’s another issue that’s very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think it’s a smart decision, but we’ll be releasing it very soon.”Trump had been asked if he supports “any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception.”Trump later said that “things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others.” That comment came after Trump was asked if he “may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?”<h2>In Congress</h2>The House&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-passes-bill-guaranteeing-contraception-access-eight-gop-votes">approved a bill&nbsp;</a>similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.That measure defined contraception as “an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.”Senate Democrats&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-guaranteeing-right-birth-control-blocked-us-senate-republicans">tried to pass</a>&nbsp;their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.In a dissenting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">opinion</a>&nbsp;in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should “reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents” that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.Griswold was the 1965&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/381/479/">case</a>&nbsp;where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.The Supreme Court held that a “right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.”Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/405/438/">ruling</a>.Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-march-2024-abortion-in-the-2024-election-and-beyond/">released</a>&nbsp;in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is “a secure right likely to remain in place.”An additional 21% responded that they believe it is “a threatened right likely to be overturned.” A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

U.S. Senators face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Lincoln, Neb. May 29, 2024 — Jay Parsons was selected in April as the new director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, following the retirement of Larry Van Tassell, who served as the center’s director since its inception in July 2021.

Parsons, a professor and extension farm and ranch management specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, joined the university as an associate professor in 2014. He also serves as Nebraska Extension’s agricultural profitability program area leader.

The Center for Agricultural Profitability (CAP) is based in the Department of Agricultural Economics. It facilitates interdisciplinary faculty research and outreach to serve agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals with educational programs and information to keep Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers financially healthy.

Parsons said he is looking forward to building on the momentum the center has achieved in the last three years by continuing to focus on reaching Nebraska’s agricultural stakeholders with information that helps keep the state’s farms and ranches on solid financial footing.

“The center is going to keep working to bring together resources from across the University of Nebraska, as well as outside agencies and other universities, to help producers and professionals who work with them to have more confidence and clarity in making the many important decisions impacting their farm or ranch business,” he said.

Parsons began his career as an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at Colorado State University, where he earned a Ph. D in Agricultural and Resource Economics in 2003, moving to the same department that year. Between 2009 and 2014, he served as co-director of the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management at Colorado State. In 2002, helped co-found the RightRisk Education Team, a multi-state educational effort allowing him the opportunity to work with producers and colleagues throughout North America to better understand risk and decision-making in agriculture.

“In its first three years, the Center for Agricultural Profitability has fulfilled a critical role in providing current, research-based, holistic information that helps guide producers in making important decisions for their operations,” said Mike Boehm, NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Dr. Parsons is a talented economist who understands how important resources like the ones CAP provides are and will continue to be. I am thrilled he will serve as the next director of this center.”

Parsons noted that the center’s outreach, including weekly webinars, regular in-person workshops, decision tools, frequent publications and multimedia content, has already provided a solid foundation to build on.

“CAP is still relatively new, and we see opportunities to continue confronting modern challenges that agriculture is facing, helping producers find solutions to not only be successful now, but to ensure their operations are viable for generations to come,” he said. “We will continue to meet producers where they are to equip them with new education and tools to find that success.”

Parsons teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Agricultural Economics and conducts research in the areas of production economics, risk management, decision analysis, farm and ranch management and more. He has served on committees in the Agricultural Economics Department and the Center for Grassland Studies.

“Dr. Parsons has been a valued and active faculty member in the department for a decade now, effectively serving students on campus and ag producers and industry across the state through his extension work,” said Kate Brooks, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics. “CAP is a big part of the department and Dr. Parsons’ knowledge, skills and leadership abilities make him a great choice to lead the center going forward.”

More information about the Center for Agricultural Profitability is available on its website,&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.lt.acemlnb.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=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&amp;sig=9TQ2gGrojS29HBKUGav4YrjwuPYNAc78j1H34dUWA6H7&amp;iat=1717010665&amp;a=%7C%7C68108822%7C%7C&amp;account=unl233%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&amp;email=BxDyDUlyuaw89Yfh76U5oBsey6yxtN5WO8peDUAP6aT1DclFYbPcy7A%3D%3Antg6%2FACk67GTI6%2BgTzqOMZ%2FsJYskL%2BPa&amp;s=073f67d35943f6c01a66f2eac84e284e&amp;i=801A902A50A16870" target="_blank">https://cap.unl.edu</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lincoln, Neb. May 29, 2024 — Jay Parsons was selected in April as the new director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, following the retirement of Larry Van Tassell, who served as the center’s director since its inception in July 2021.Parsons, a professor and extension farm and ranch management specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, joined the university as an associate professor in 2014. He also serves as Nebraska Extension’s agricultural profitability program area leader.The Center for Agricultural Profitability (CAP) is based in the Department of Agricultural Economics. It facilitates interdisciplinary faculty research and outreach to serve agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals with educational programs and information to keep Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers financially healthy.Parsons said he is looking forward to building on the momentum the center has achieved in the last three years by continuing to focus on reaching Nebraska’s agricultural stakeholders with information that helps keep the state’s farms and ranches on solid financial footing.“The center is going to keep working to bring together resources from across the University of Nebraska, as well as outside agencies and other universities, to help producers and professionals who work with them to have more confidence and clarity in making the many important decisions impacting their farm or ranch business,” he said.Parsons began his career as an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at Colorado State University, where he earned a Ph. D in Agricultural and Resource Economics in 2003, moving to the same department that year. Between 2009 and 2014, he served as co-director of the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management at Colorado State. In 2002, helped co-found the RightRisk Education Team, a multi-state educational effort allowing him the opportunity to work with producers and colleagues throughout North America to better understand risk and decision-making in agriculture.“In its first three years, the Center for Agricultural Profitability has fulfilled a critical role in providing current, research-based, holistic information that helps guide producers in making important decisions for their operations,” said Mike Boehm, NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Dr. Parsons is a talented economist who understands how important resources like the ones CAP provides are and will continue to be. I am thrilled he will serve as the next director of this center.”Parsons noted that the center’s outreach, including weekly webinars, regular in-person workshops, decision tools, frequent publications and multimedia content, has already provided a solid foundation to build on.“CAP is still relatively new, and we see opportunities to continue confronting modern challenges that agriculture is facing, helping producers find solutions to not only be successful now, but to ensure their operations are viable for generations to come,” he said. “We will continue to meet producers where they are to equip them with new education and tools to find that success.”Parsons teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Agricultural Economics and conducts research in the areas of production economics, risk management, decision analysis, farm and ranch management and more. He has served on committees in the Agricultural Economics Department and the Center for Grassland Studies.“Dr. Parsons has been a valued and active faculty member in the department for a decade now, effectively serving students on campus and ag producers and industry across the state through his extension work,” said Kate Brooks, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics. “CAP is a big part of the department and Dr. Parsons’ knowledge, skills and leadership abilities make him a great choice to lead the center going forward.”More information about the Center for Agricultural Profitability is available on its website,&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.lt.acemlnb.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=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&amp;sig=9TQ2gGrojS29HBKUGav4YrjwuPYNAc78j1H34dUWA6H7&amp;iat=1717010665&amp;a=%7C%7C68108822%7C%7C&amp;account=unl233%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&amp;email=BxDyDUlyuaw89Yfh76U5oBsey6yxtN5WO8peDUAP6aT1DclFYbPcy7A%3D%3Antg6%2FACk67GTI6%2BgTzqOMZ%2FsJYskL%2BPa&amp;s=073f67d35943f6c01a66f2eac84e284e&amp;i=801A902A50A16870" target="_blank">https://cap.unl.edu</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Parsons selected as new Center for Agricultural Profitability director

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — A spelling champion from Nebraska did an outstanding job but was eliminated in round 8 of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Sarah Fernandes, a 12-year-old 6th grade at St. Stephan the Martyr Catholic School just missed a trip to the finals. She misspelled&nbsp;opelu. She spelled it opalu.

Fernandes had plenty of company among the 140 spellers eliminated on Wednesday, spelling's saddest day.

“I didn't expect to get out, but I did, and I guess I have to accept the truth now,” said Achyut Ethiraj, an eighth-grader from Fort Wayne, Indiana. “I'm happy to do high school and do other things, but I'm kind of confused what to do now that I'm done with spelling."

“It's my last year, and I expected to do better, but I guess it is what it is," he said. "And I have to move on.”

The structure of the spelling bee has undergone plenty of changes over time, but over the past three years under executive director Corrie Loeffler, the competition has gotten very hard, very fast for spellers who make it past the preliminary rounds.

The morning began with 148 spellers. By the end of the first quarterfinal round, there were 59 left, and 46 of those got through a vocabulary round to reach the semifinals. By the end of the day, eight finalists remained. They will return Thursday night, when the winner will receive a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

The champion won't be Shradha Rachamreddy, who finished third last year and was a consensus favorite to go all the way. She was eliminated on exactly the sort of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scripps-national-spelling-bee-preliminary-2024-6331732d552c3b07bab29e5485fc813c">“super short, tricky word”</a>&nbsp;she said she concentrated on studying after misspelling “orle” last year. This year it was “varan,” a type of lizard. She added an extra “r,” and former spellers in the audience gasped at her mistake.

“I am in shock and despair,” said Dev Shah, the 2023 champion.

“We all thought she was going to win,” added Charlotte Walsh, last year's runner-up.

Starting in the quarterfinals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-spelling-bee-word-list-6b67fd86e9008d3f61cc7f256dbad480">the bee's word panel</a>&nbsp;can use any of the more than half a million words in Webster's Unabridged dictionary, plus some geographical names that aren't even listed in that volume. While the panel tries to maintain a consistent level of difficulty in each round, it can vary from word to word.

Achyut was asked to spell the word “sistine.” Derived from the Sistine Chapel, it's an adjective meaning “a light blue color.” He went with “cistine,” and his coach, Grace Walters, was second-guessing herself.

“I'm sure when I was making my lists, I just assumed, ‘Oh, everybody knows the Sistine Chapel.’ But the reality is these kids are like 10 to 14. They might not have the ... cultural knowledge that us older people have,” said the 22-year-old Walters, a former speller. “So that's definitely something I feel like I overlooked in helping him prepare.”

Two years ago, Achyut finished in a tie for 14th place, and last year he tied for 23rd. This year, he tied for 60th place alongside the 88 others eliminated in the round.

“My rank has been going lower. But the reality is my preparation has been increasing a lot,” Achyut said. “And I don't know how that matches up, but I know that I know the words and I deserve a good break.”

He has plenty of company. Rare is a speller like Vanya Shivashankar, who came in with enormous buzz in 2015 after years of strong finishes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-52b763355a874abfacdb02fc290ceaed">ended up winning</a>. Even Shivashankar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article22176948.html">had a setback the previous year</a>&nbsp;when a written spelling and vocabulary test kept her out of the finals.

Naysa Modi,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d8561545c954ac28b82f2a3d889c1a7">the 2018 runner-up</a>, didn't make the finals the following year. Ishika Varipilli, who hoped to make a run at the trophy this year in her third and final attempt, bowed out in a tie for 47th after missing a vocabulary word, “swanky," and said afterward she was “trying to keep it together.”

In the semifinals, Shradha was followed to the exit by two more top-ten finishers from 2023: Aryan Khedkar and Sarah Fernandes. Aryan got a long hug from fellow competitor Faizan Zaki before leaving the stage.

“These kids put a lot of pressure on themselves. I think they get nervous. They get worried. They get more focused on, ‘What if I don’t make it? What if this happens? What if that happens?'” Walters said. “The kids feel it around them that, you know, they're being looked up to as previous finalists, previous semifinalists, and they internalize that people expect something from them.”

Aliyah Alpert, who finished ninth in 2022, missed the bee entirely last year because she flubbed the word “recoup” in the Yavapai County spelling bee in her home state of Arizona.

“It was on-list, I totally knew the word, but I blanked. Choked,” said 13-year-old Aliyah, who returned this year and was ousted in the semifinals.

Matthew Bader came in knowing he might not improve upon his finish last year, a tie for 57th.

“The farther you make it in the competition one year, that's the more chance you'll do worse next year,” said Matthew, a 14-year-old from Peachtree City, Georgia. “Actually, I didn’t really mind getting out. Win or lose, to be here, it’s a pretty big accomplishment.”

Ananth Chepuri of Bradenton, Florida, thought his daughter, 11-year-old Amara, was eliminated by one of the most difficult words ("ephectic") of what he called an inconsistent round.

“It's been brutal,” Chepuri said. “The first kid, I felt so sorry for him. This was a bloodbath!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716913401526.png" alt="Sarah Grace Fernandes, 12, 6th grade, St. Stephan the Martyr Catholic School, Omaha-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Grace Fernandes, 12, 6th grade, St. Stephan the Martyr Catholic School, Omaha-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — A spelling champion from Nebraska did an outstanding job but was eliminated in round 8 of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sarah Fernandes, a 12-year-old 6th grade at St. Stephan the Martyr Catholic School just missed a trip to the finals. She misspelled&nbsp;opelu. She spelled it opalu.Fernandes had plenty of company among the 140 spellers eliminated on Wednesday, spelling's saddest day.“I didn't expect to get out, but I did, and I guess I have to accept the truth now,” said Achyut Ethiraj, an eighth-grader from Fort Wayne, Indiana. “I'm happy to do high school and do other things, but I'm kind of confused what to do now that I'm done with spelling."“It's my last year, and I expected to do better, but I guess it is what it is," he said. "And I have to move on.”The structure of the spelling bee has undergone plenty of changes over time, but over the past three years under executive director Corrie Loeffler, the competition has gotten very hard, very fast for spellers who make it past the preliminary rounds.The morning began with 148 spellers. By the end of the first quarterfinal round, there were 59 left, and 46 of those got through a vocabulary round to reach the semifinals. By the end of the day, eight finalists remained. They will return Thursday night, when the winner will receive a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.The champion won't be Shradha Rachamreddy, who finished third last year and was a consensus favorite to go all the way. She was eliminated on exactly the sort of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scripps-national-spelling-bee-preliminary-2024-6331732d552c3b07bab29e5485fc813c">“super short, tricky word”</a>&nbsp;she said she concentrated on studying after misspelling “orle” last year. This year it was “varan,” a type of lizard. She added an extra “r,” and former spellers in the audience gasped at her mistake.“I am in shock and despair,” said Dev Shah, the 2023 champion.“We all thought she was going to win,” added Charlotte Walsh, last year's runner-up.Starting in the quarterfinals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-spelling-bee-word-list-6b67fd86e9008d3f61cc7f256dbad480">the bee's word panel</a>&nbsp;can use any of the more than half a million words in Webster's Unabridged dictionary, plus some geographical names that aren't even listed in that volume. While the panel tries to maintain a consistent level of difficulty in each round, it can vary from word to word.That's when luck comes into play.Achyut was asked to spell the word “sistine.” Derived from the Sistine Chapel, it's an adjective meaning “a light blue color.” He went with “cistine,” and his coach, Grace Walters, was second-guessing herself.“I'm sure when I was making my lists, I just assumed, ‘Oh, everybody knows the Sistine Chapel.’ But the reality is these kids are like 10 to 14. They might not have the ... cultural knowledge that us older people have,” said the 22-year-old Walters, a former speller. “So that's definitely something I feel like I overlooked in helping him prepare.”Two years ago, Achyut finished in a tie for 14th place, and last year he tied for 23rd. This year, he tied for 60th place alongside the 88 others eliminated in the round.“My rank has been going lower. But the reality is my preparation has been increasing a lot,” Achyut said. “And I don't know how that matches up, but I know that I know the words and I deserve a good break.”He has plenty of company. Rare is a speller like Vanya Shivashankar, who came in with enormous buzz in 2015 after years of strong finishes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-52b763355a874abfacdb02fc290ceaed">ended up winning</a>. Even Shivashankar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article22176948.html">had a setback the previous year</a>&nbsp;when a written spelling and vocabulary test kept her out of the finals.Naysa Modi,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d8561545c954ac28b82f2a3d889c1a7">the 2018 runner-up</a>, didn't make the finals the following year. Ishika Varipilli, who hoped to make a run at the trophy this year in her third and final attempt, bowed out in a tie for 47th after missing a vocabulary word, “swanky," and said afterward she was “trying to keep it together.”In the semifinals, Shradha was followed to the exit by two more top-ten finishers from 2023: Aryan Khedkar and Sarah Fernandes. Aryan got a long hug from fellow competitor Faizan Zaki before leaving the stage.“These kids put a lot of pressure on themselves. I think they get nervous. They get worried. They get more focused on, ‘What if I don’t make it? What if this happens? What if that happens?'” Walters said. “The kids feel it around them that, you know, they're being looked up to as previous finalists, previous semifinalists, and they internalize that people expect something from them.”Aliyah Alpert, who finished ninth in 2022, missed the bee entirely last year because she flubbed the word “recoup” in the Yavapai County spelling bee in her home state of Arizona.“It was on-list, I totally knew the word, but I blanked. Choked,” said 13-year-old Aliyah, who returned this year and was ousted in the semifinals.Matthew Bader came in knowing he might not improve upon his finish last year, a tie for 57th.“The farther you make it in the competition one year, that's the more chance you'll do worse next year,” said Matthew, a 14-year-old from Peachtree City, Georgia. “Actually, I didn’t really mind getting out. Win or lose, to be here, it’s a pretty big accomplishment.”Ananth Chepuri of Bradenton, Florida, thought his daughter, 11-year-old Amara, was eliminated by one of the most difficult words ("ephectic") of what he called an inconsistent round.“It's been brutal,” Chepuri said. “The first kid, I felt so sorry for him. This was a bloodbath!”

Nebraska girl just misses National Spelling Bee finals

NODAWAY COUNTY, Missouri—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Wednesday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Mitsubishi Endeavor driven by Lindsey L. Storm, 35, Omaha, was northbound on MO 113 two miles south of Quitman.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at MO 46.&nbsp; The SUV struck the drivers side front tire on a westbound 2019 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Kathleen J. Leus, 72, Maryville, Missouri.

Life-Flight air ambulance transported Storm to an Omaha hospital. Nodaway County EMS transported Leus to Mosaic in Maryville. Storm was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY, Missouri—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Wednesday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Mitsubishi Endeavor driven by Lindsey L. Storm, 35, Omaha, was northbound on MO 113 two miles south of Quitman.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at MO 46.&nbsp; The SUV struck the drivers side front tire on a westbound 2019 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Kathleen J. Leus, 72, Maryville, Missouri.Life-Flight air ambulance transported Storm to an Omaha hospital. Nodaway County EMS transported Leus to Mosaic in Maryville. Storm was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Nebraska woman air-lifted to hospital after Missouri crash

NEW YORK (AP) — The first day of jury deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial concluded after the panel sent their first two notes to the judge Wednesday afternoon, just a few hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-judge-verdict-390f045e9e8a37f069e82576edd7a842">beginning deliberations</a>.

They requested to rehear jury instructions, as well as rehear testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting where he agreed to identify negative stories for Trump, a phone call he says he had with Trump about the Karen McDougal deal, and his decision not to sell the rights to McDougal’s story to Trump.

The jury also asked to hear Michael Cohen's testimony about the same Trump Tower meeting.

Judge Juan M. Merchan said it would take some time to gather the requested testimony and about a half hour to re-read it to the jury. Deliberations will resume Thursday morning.

The historic deliberations followed Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">whirlwind of closing arguments</a>, which stretched into the evening as prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused Trump of intentionally deceiving voters by allegedly participating in a “catch-and-kill” scheme to bury stories that might obliterate his 2016 presidential bid.

The defense approached its summation much in the same way it approached cross-examination: by targeting the credibility of star witness Michael Cohen.

Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records, charges which are punishable by up to four years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">the heart of the charges</a>&nbsp;are reimbursements paid to Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for not going public with her claim about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.

Prosecutors say the reimbursements were falsely logged as “legal expenses” to hide the true nature of the transactions.

The case is the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump's four indictments</a>&nbsp;to reach trial and is the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716986622777.png" alt="Trump leaving the court house late Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump leaving the court house late Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The first day of jury deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial concluded after the panel sent their first two notes to the judge Wednesday afternoon, just a few hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-judge-verdict-390f045e9e8a37f069e82576edd7a842">beginning deliberations</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump: &quot;Mother Teresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged. The whole thing is rigged. The whole country&#39;s a mess between the borders and fake elections and you have a trial like this...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/pfHWUSkWx9">pic.twitter.com/pfHWUSkWx9</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1795847409433555154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>They requested to rehear jury instructions, as well as rehear testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting where he agreed to identify negative stories for Trump, a phone call he says he had with Trump about the Karen McDougal deal, and his decision not to sell the rights to McDougal’s story to Trump.The jury also asked to hear Michael Cohen's testimony about the same Trump Tower meeting.Judge Juan M. Merchan said it would take some time to gather the requested testimony and about a half hour to re-read it to the jury. Deliberations will resume Thursday morning.The historic deliberations followed Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">whirlwind of closing arguments</a>, which stretched into the evening as prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused Trump of intentionally deceiving voters by allegedly participating in a “catch-and-kill” scheme to bury stories that might obliterate his 2016 presidential bid.The defense approached its summation much in the same way it approached cross-examination: by targeting the credibility of star witness Michael Cohen.Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records, charges which are punishable by up to four years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">the heart of the charges</a>&nbsp;are reimbursements paid to Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for not going public with her claim about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.Prosecutors say the reimbursements were falsely logged as “legal expenses” to hide the true nature of the transactions.The case is the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump's four indictments</a>&nbsp;to reach trial and is the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

🎥 Trump: Mother Teresa could not beat these charges

OMAHA, NE&nbsp;(May 29, 2024) ­— Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and a period known as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers,” which runs through Labor Day weekend. This is a time when there is an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.

“The risk gets higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” said Brian Ortner, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that school is out, these young, inexperienced drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”

According to NHTSA, nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during the 100 Deadliest Days. A total of nearly 6,700 people were killed during this period, from 2013-2022. In 2022 alone, 707 people were killed in these types of crashes – a 10% increase over pre-pandemic 2019.

“The important thing to realize is the people killed in these crashes are not always the teen driver, but it can be their passengers or anyone else they encounter on the road,” Ortner continued. “AAA shares this information to remind all drivers to stay alert while behind the wheel this summer. We also encourage parents to have a serious discussion with their teen about the importance of being a safe driver.”&nbsp;

Common&nbsp;Risk Factors for Teen Drivers

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19.&nbsp;For every mile driven,&nbsp;new teen&nbsp;drivers&nbsp;(ages 16 – 17) are&nbsp;three times more likely&nbsp;to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.

“The single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their ‘learning to drive’ process,” said Rachel Wilson, Director of Driver Education Programs, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Spend time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety. While parents can be great teachers, it also helps to seek out professional training courses, like those provided by AAA.”

AAA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC3aSBp28tdSCGv-2B1Y5a-2FDO6jpO6h1m7YAaFnbFuf659CMlI5_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsmOXCB0QXKTVWYmorXs5sBFPDEjGgr7zyPKlvloMr7N38BrWKouHCbkiSVZ3TSab1qHBS-2FTBocUPbLCQxCrgnlIw4hUQtAVt7o45xLsgGRRWLvXITlMUJDm8ImyaA3WANvtbUQ5fdGTJoPIEU9v-2FflllYly5wGaPEX1G-2BzQVNVMWJXR92FfmXjSQCvHzaCFcw7Zx4GDkNM3VKAmURY3-2FfE9-2BBGyR44xNu0M4n-2BI4YR7cRBaTPnX2iwATS803SznbCooW1Qot0WtRujuWDjVQLk-3D" target="_blank">How to Drive Online</a>&nbsp;provides a solid foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce a teen’s risk behind the wheel. This supplemental program is an online, 25-hour course that features:

The&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2B8djxCGAgHdT8cDOCbm60DuKxgyLQfY1cAMM9jORTEwNhKsUMrVM3x9C4cZtvjBxQ-3D-3DCrqg_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsmOXCB0QXKTVWYmorXs5sBFPDEjGgr7zyPKlvloMr7N38BrWKouHCbkiSVZ3TSab1qHBS-2FTBocUPbLCQxCrgnlIw4hUQtAVt7o45xLsgGRRWLvXITlMUJDm8ImyaA3WAO5Q5pd2cHpEV42BGlAQYyG1dYLBlO8apU0OJKcs3KC2tbeDJOU3DnYpCSTYi57LUm3ludsrg36ZrGNMpS-2B3Gh6AqnGVdhcwgiIb8zX2DrMvcZ2GIKDyMjwt4FmUT3-2FkT31bacLW-2FxEJXaVd2THpcAk-3D" target="_blank">AAA Approved Driving School Network</a>&nbsp;helps identify the best driver training resources in your local community. These schools have passed AAA’s stringent standards and offer quality curriculum as well as the best value for students.

OMAHA, NE&nbsp;(May 29, 2024) ­— Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and a period known as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers,” which runs through Labor Day weekend. This is a time when there is an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.“The risk gets higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” said Brian Ortner, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that school is out, these young, inexperienced drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”According to NHTSA, nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during the 100 Deadliest Days. A total of nearly 6,700 people were killed during this period, from 2013-2022. In 2022 alone, 707 people were killed in these types of crashes – a 10% increase over pre-pandemic 2019.“The important thing to realize is the people killed in these crashes are not always the teen driver, but it can be their passengers or anyone else they encounter on the road,” Ortner continued. “AAA shares this information to remind all drivers to stay alert while behind the wheel this summer. We also encourage parents to have a serious discussion with their teen about the importance of being a safe driver.”&nbsp;Common&nbsp;Risk Factors for Teen DriversTraffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19.&nbsp;For every mile driven,&nbsp;new teen&nbsp;drivers&nbsp;(ages 16 – 17) are&nbsp;three times more likely&nbsp;to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.<ul>
 <li>Distracted driving.&nbsp;Distraction plays a role in nearly&nbsp;six out of ten teen crashes. Electronics like cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers. The biggest distractions are teen passengers.</li><li>Driving with teen passengers.&nbsp;Research shows that the&nbsp;risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car&nbsp;(NHTSA). Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits like speeding and aggressive driving.</li><li>Speeding.&nbsp;Speeding is a factor in nearly&nbsp;30 percent of fatal crashes&nbsp;involving teen drivers.</li><li>Not wearing a safety belt.&nbsp;Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.</li>
 </ul>AAA’s Advice for Parents“The single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their ‘learning to drive’ process,” said Rachel Wilson, Director of Driver Education Programs, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Spend time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety. While parents can be great teachers, it also helps to seek out professional training courses, like those provided by AAA.”<ul>
 <li>Lead by example.&nbsp;Minimize risky behavior when you drive. Don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. Your&nbsp;driving&nbsp;skills and judgement behind the wheel shape your child’s view of safe driving habits, even before they’re old enough to drive. Make safe driving a priority in your own life.</li><li>Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving.&nbsp;Let your teen drive in a variety of conditions including inclement weather, busy interstates, and at night. This will help them become a more confident driver in imperfect situations.</li><li>Teach defensive driving skills. Help your teen anticipate potential risks by constantly scanning the road for hazards. Then share advice for how to safely avoid them.&nbsp;</li><li>Establish a parent-teen driving agreement&nbsp;which sets family rules like when the teen can drive, where they can go and with who. Then clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safe.</li>
 </ul>AAA offers an Online Driving CourseAAA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC3aSBp28tdSCGv-2B1Y5a-2FDO6jpO6h1m7YAaFnbFuf659CMlI5_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsmOXCB0QXKTVWYmorXs5sBFPDEjGgr7zyPKlvloMr7N38BrWKouHCbkiSVZ3TSab1qHBS-2FTBocUPbLCQxCrgnlIw4hUQtAVt7o45xLsgGRRWLvXITlMUJDm8ImyaA3WANvtbUQ5fdGTJoPIEU9v-2FflllYly5wGaPEX1G-2BzQVNVMWJXR92FfmXjSQCvHzaCFcw7Zx4GDkNM3VKAmURY3-2FfE9-2BBGyR44xNu0M4n-2BI4YR7cRBaTPnX2iwATS803SznbCooW1Qot0WtRujuWDjVQLk-3D" target="_blank">How to Drive Online</a>&nbsp;provides a solid foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce a teen’s risk behind the wheel. This supplemental program is an online, 25-hour course that features:<ul>
 <li>Convenient, self-paced delivery.</li><li>Research-based curriculum.</li><li>Videos, simulations, and interactive exercises to enhance content retention.</li><li>Optional virtual parent session to help educate parents on the learning to drive process.</li>
 </ul>Behind the Wheel Driving CoursesThe&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2B8djxCGAgHdT8cDOCbm60DuKxgyLQfY1cAMM9jORTEwNhKsUMrVM3x9C4cZtvjBxQ-3D-3DCrqg_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsmOXCB0QXKTVWYmorXs5sBFPDEjGgr7zyPKlvloMr7N38BrWKouHCbkiSVZ3TSab1qHBS-2FTBocUPbLCQxCrgnlIw4hUQtAVt7o45xLsgGRRWLvXITlMUJDm8ImyaA3WAO5Q5pd2cHpEV42BGlAQYyG1dYLBlO8apU0OJKcs3KC2tbeDJOU3DnYpCSTYi57LUm3ludsrg36ZrGNMpS-2B3Gh6AqnGVdhcwgiIb8zX2DrMvcZ2GIKDyMjwt4FmUT3-2FkT31bacLW-2FxEJXaVd2THpcAk-3D" target="_blank">AAA Approved Driving School Network</a>&nbsp;helps identify the best driver training resources in your local community. These schools have passed AAA’s stringent standards and offer quality curriculum as well as the best value for students.

 AAA: The 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers Have Begun

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested and handcuffed</a>&nbsp;in Louisville during the PGA Championship.

(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be in the courtroom. The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”

“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. "Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course May 17 directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.

The prosecutor said the findings of his office’s review of the case led him to request the dismissal of the charges.

“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses.”

Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, was asked if he wanted to comment. Romines replied: “Judge, it’s taken me a long time to understand that when I’m winning, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honor.”

The judge then accepted the dismissal motion.

Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

A surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. Scheffler is later pulled from the car and cuffed. But the video did not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.

Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on that failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” the golf course.

Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers.

The famous golfer spent a brief stint in a jail cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament</a>&nbsp;tied for eighth place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715949652837.png" alt="Scheffler's booking photo Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Scheffler's booking photo Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested and handcuffed</a>&nbsp;in Louisville during the PGA Championship.(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnWeQfNMLmM?si=ZRSVVZfgFYR4Z5k4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnWeQfNMLmM?si=ZRSVVZfgFYR4Z5k4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be in the courtroom. The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. "Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course May 17 directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.The prosecutor said the findings of his office’s review of the case led him to request the dismissal of the charges.“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses.”Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, was asked if he wanted to comment. Romines replied: “Judge, it’s taken me a long time to understand that when I’m winning, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honor.”The judge then accepted the dismissal motion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715949915421.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.A surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. Scheffler is later pulled from the car and cuffed. But the video did not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on that failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” the golf course.Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers.The famous golfer spent a brief stint in a jail cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament</a>&nbsp;tied for eighth place.

🎥 Why charges against world's top golfer were dropped after arrest

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that David Mark Platt, 58, formerly of Washington state, was sentenced on May 28, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Platt to 348 months (29 years) imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. He was further sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release following his release from prison. Additionally, Platt was ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution.

In Spring of 2022, Platt met a 15-year-old through social media website Quora where the minor victim was posting about wanting to run away from home. Platt made a plan to pick up the minor victim from California and travel across the country with the minor victim in his semi-truck. The minor victim told Platt their age throughout conversations with him on social media. On May 12, 2022, Platt picked up the minor victim and shortly thereafter the minor victim was reported missing by their family.

On May 15, 2022, Platt’s semi-truck was pulled over by law enforcement near Lexington, Nebraska, and the minor victim was identified as a passenger. During the stop, Platt admitted to touching the minor victim in a sexual manner. The minor victim was taken to a child advocacy center, where they disclosed that Platt had sexually assaulted them each day of the four-day trip. The minor victim told the same information to a medical examiner.

Search warrant results from the social media platform where Platt and minor victim communicated revealed that the minor victim did inform Platt of their age, that he expected the minor to have sexual intercourse with him, the plan for picking the minor victim up and travelling, and other various things he expected of the minor victim. The search warrant results additionally showed Platt’s sexual preference for preteen to teenage girls and his pattern in attempting to find a child to travel with him for sex and his preference for BDSM sexual relationships.

In 2012, Platt was found guilty of sexual assault in violation of Texas Penal Code § 22.011(a)(1) which is a felony in the second degree. He was on the sex offender registry at the time of the crime in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States AttorneyUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that David Mark Platt, 58, formerly of Washington state, was sentenced on May 28, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Platt to 348 months (29 years) imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. He was further sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release following his release from prison. Additionally, Platt was ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution.In Spring of 2022, Platt met a 15-year-old through social media website Quora where the minor victim was posting about wanting to run away from home. Platt made a plan to pick up the minor victim from California and travel across the country with the minor victim in his semi-truck. The minor victim told Platt their age throughout conversations with him on social media. On May 12, 2022, Platt picked up the minor victim and shortly thereafter the minor victim was reported missing by their family.On May 15, 2022, Platt’s semi-truck was pulled over by law enforcement near Lexington, Nebraska, and the minor victim was identified as a passenger. During the stop, Platt admitted to touching the minor victim in a sexual manner. The minor victim was taken to a child advocacy center, where they disclosed that Platt had sexually assaulted them each day of the four-day trip. The minor victim told the same information to a medical examiner.Search warrant results from the social media platform where Platt and minor victim communicated revealed that the minor victim did inform Platt of their age, that he expected the minor to have sexual intercourse with him, the plan for picking the minor victim up and travelling, and other various things he expected of the minor victim. The search warrant results additionally showed Platt’s sexual preference for preteen to teenage girls and his pattern in attempting to find a child to travel with him for sex and his preference for BDSM sexual relationships.In 2012, Platt was found guilty of sexual assault in violation of Texas Penal Code § 22.011(a)(1) which is a felony in the second degree. He was on the sex offender registry at the time of the crime in this case.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 Truck Driver Pulled Over In Lexington Sentenced to 29 Years 

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is urging the owners of about 84,000 older vehicles to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators have an increased risk of exploding in a crash and hurling dangerous metal fragments.

Wednesday's urgent request comes after one person in a Nissan was killed by an exploding front-passenger inflator, and as many as 58 people were injured since 2015.

“Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata air bag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an air bag deployment, propelling sharp metal fragments which can cause serious injury or death,” Nissan said in a statement.

Nissan said the “do not drive” warning covers certain 2002 through 2006 Sentra small cars, as well as some 2002 through 2004 Pathfinder SUVs, and 2002 and 2003 Infiniti QX4 SUVs. Owners can find out if their vehicles are affected by going to&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576782225717.png" alt="Photo&nbsp; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" />
 <figcaption>Photo&nbsp; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is urging the owners of about 84,000 older vehicles to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators have an increased risk of exploding in a crash and hurling dangerous metal fragments.Wednesday's urgent request comes after one person in a Nissan was killed by an exploding front-passenger inflator, and as many as 58 people were injured since 2015.“Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata air bag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an air bag deployment, propelling sharp metal fragments which can cause serious injury or death,” Nissan said in a statement.Nissan said the “do not drive” warning covers certain 2002 through 2006 Sentra small cars, as well as some 2002 through 2004 Pathfinder SUVs, and 2002 and 2003 Infiniti QX4 SUVs. Owners can find out if their vehicles are affected by going to&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.The company says owners should contact their dealer to set up an appointment to have inflators replaced for free. Nissan also is offering free towing to dealers, and in some locations mobile service and loaner cars are available.“Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries," the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement. “Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors.”Nissan originally recalled 736,422 of the vehicles in 2020 to replace the Takata inflators. The company said around 84,000 remain unrepaired and are believed to still be in use.Nissan said it has made numerous attempts to reach the owners with unrepaired Takata inflators.The death was reported to NHTSA in 2018, the company said. The person killed was in a 2006 Sentra, according to Nissan.The death is one of 27 in the U.S. caused by the faulty inflators,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/takata-air-bag-inflator-explosion-killed-ram-pickup-2003-571d22e2f6682f01f149f592d8c1c78b">which used volatile ammonium nitrate</a>&nbsp;to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. The chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel. More than 400 people in the U.S. have been hurt.Worldwide at least 35 people have been killed by Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia and the U.S.Potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4e456cf44b454cf581e4fc06dc8ad338">into bankruptcy</a>.Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota and Stellantis and Mazda&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-takata-air-bag-explode-shrapnel-3c03be0d9454856cf52e48aaa6bda711">have issued similar “do not drive”</a>&nbsp;warnings for some of their vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.