Backlash to Trump's $1.8B settlement fund delays GOP immigration bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans have departed Washington for the Memorial Day recess without voting on a roughly $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies. Voting on the bill was abruptly called off on Thursday. Republicans are debating whether to try and block a new $1.776 billion settlement fund to compensate Trump allies. They failed to reach a resolution after a tense meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Soon after Republican leaders announced that they would not vote on the immigration enforcement measure until they return from a Memorial Day recess, the week of June 1. That had been Trump's self-imposed deadline to pass the bill.
Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump raises new threat of military action
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has again raised the specter of U.S. military intervention in Cuba. The renewed threat Thursday takes on greater weight a day after the administration announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro. Trump said previous U.S. presidents have considered intervening in Cuba for decades, but that “it looks like I’ll be the one that does it.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters separately that the Trump administration wants to resolve differences with Cuba peacefully, but is doubtful the U.S. can reach a diplomatic resolution with the island’s current government. The Castro indictment has led many to believe that the administration is following the same playbook it did when it ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Facing intense internal pressure, DNC releases postelection autopsy that criticizes Kamala Harris
NEW YORK (AP) — Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin has released a critical study of the party’s performance in the 2024 campaign. His decision on Thursday followed intense internal pressure from frustrated Democrats who had publicly demanded the release of the postelection autopsy. The 192-page report, which was concluded last December and authored by Democratic consultant Paul Rivera, calls for Democrats to focus on Middle America and the South. The autopsy also points to a reduction in support and training for Democratic state parties, shifts in voter registration, and what it called “a persistent inability or unwillingness to listen to all voters.”
2-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch dies at 41 after being hospitalized with a 'severe illness'
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion who won more races than anyone across NASCAR’s three national series, has died. He was 41. The Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday saying Busch died after being hospitalized. No cause of death was given. Busch’s family said earlier Thursday that he was hospitalized with a “severe illness,” three days before he was to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details have not been disclosed by Busch’s team or family.
Trump calls off AI executive order over concern it could weaken US tech edge
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has called off plans to sign a new executive order on artificial intelligence hours before an expected White House ceremony. He says he's worried the measure could dull America’s edge on AI technology. Trump said he was postponing the Thursday signing because he didn’t like what he saw in the order’s text. The push for some form of government action to vet the most powerful AI systems follows growing concern within the banking industry and other institutions about AI’s ability to find cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the world’s software.
Trump eases refrigerant rule in a bid to address surging grocery costs
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is loosening a federal rule that requires grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment. President Donald Trump says that will help lower grocery costs. But it's not clear how much or how quickly prices could be impacted. Industry groups say it could even raise prices because manufacturers have already redesigned products, retooled factories and trained workers to build and service next-generation refrigerant equipment. The move to relax the Biden-era rules on harmful pollutants known as hydrofluorocarbons is the latest attempt by the administration before the November elections to try to address rising voter concerns over the cost of living.
Free speech or race-baiting? Tennessee shooting stirs debate over livestreamer's approach
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge has set a $1 million bond for a white livestreamer charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting and wounding a Black man. The case against Dalton Eatherly, who livestreams as “Chud the Builder,” has stoked debate over the extents of free speech and the rights of content creators who profit from hate-filled interactions. As more users of livestreaming social media platforms find being performative with racist language can draw big bucks, the line is blurring between freedom of expression and people's right to feel safe. Racial justice advocates worry that allowing people to profit from provoking strangers in livestreams will only heighten and normalize racist antics.
Tennessee fails to execute Tony Carruthers after IV difficulties. State won't try again for a year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee officials have called off the lethal injection of Tony Carruthers, who was convicted of kidnapping and murdering three people in 1994, after his executioners tried and failed for over an hour to establish an intravenous line. Gov. Bill Lee says the state will not try again for at least a year. The Tennessee Department of Corrections said medical personnel had quickly established a primary IV line Thursday but were unable to find a suitable vein for a backup line as required by the state’s execution protocol. Maria DeLiberato, an attorney for Carruthers, said she saw him “wincing and groaning” Thursday as the medical team worked.
Woman at center of sprawling Minnesota fraud gets nearly 42-year prison sentence
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former leader of a Minnesota nonprofit has been sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison for her role in a staggering $250 million fraud case. Aimee Bock ran Feeding Our Future, which had claimed it provided millions of meals to children in need during the pandemic. She appeared Thursday in Minneapolis federal court. Her lawyer had argued for a sentence of no more than three years, saying she had been unfairly painted as the mastermind. Authorities later announced charges against 15 more people accused of fraud in receiving federal payments for a variety of social services in Minnesota.
Atlantic hurricane season forecast to be milder than normal thanks to El Nino
Meteorologists predict a developing El Nino could dampen the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, but it won't eliminate storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a below-average season with fewer named storms and hurricanes. Colorado State University expects the lowest activity since 2015. El Nino is a warming of the central Pacific that typically reduces Atlantic storms by creating strong wind shear that disrupts storm formation. However, El Nino can increase storm activity in the Pacific, affecting regions like Japan and Korea. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30.
