Geoff Bennett:
In the day's other news: Wisconsin's attorney general filed felony charges today against three Donald Trump allies who allegedly delivered fake elector paperwork claiming the former president had won the state in 2020.
Those charged include attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Jim Troupis and former Trump aide Mike Roman. All three are due in court in September. They face up to six years in prison and fines. Wisconsin is now the fifth state to bring charges over attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, joining Michigan, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia.
Attorney General Merrick Garland pushed back against Republican lawmakers today over what he called unprecedented attacks on the Justice Department. During an appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, Garland condemned what he called the conspiracy theory that his department played a part in Donald Trump's criminal hush money case in New York.
And he denounced — quote — "dangerous falsehoods" about law enforcement, as Donald Trump and his allies have attacked the criminal justice system.
Geoff Bennett:
Garland's appearance today comes as Republicans have moved to hold him in contempt. That's over the Biden administration's refusal to release audio of the president's interview with special counsel Robert Hur over his handling of classified documents.
Garland has said that doing so could deter future witnesses from cooperating, and the DOJ says the audio could spur deepfakes and disinformation.
Lawyers in the Hunter Biden criminal trial delivered their opening arguments today. Federal prosecutors tried to portray the president's son as a drug addict who intentionally lied on a form about his addiction when purchasing a gun back in 2018. Biden's attorneys say their client did not believe he was an addict when he filed the paperwork.
Hunter Biden arrived at the Delaware court with his wife, and first lady Jill Biden was also in court again today to show her support. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty.
President Biden said he does not think Israel's prime minister is playing politics with the war in Gaza. Instead, Mr. Biden said Benjamin Netanyahu is, in his words, trying to work out the serious problem he has. That follows comments the president made in a "TIME" magazine interview published today that there is reason to believe that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political gain.
Meantime, Israel's army chief said today the IDF is nearing a decision launching an offensive at its northern border with Lebanon, where it's been exchanging fire with Hezbollah. The State Department spokesperson said today that the potential for such action adds urgency to the cease-fire plan President Biden announced last week.
Geoff Bennett:
On the ground in Central Gaza, Palestinians crowded around a police vehicle that was targeted in a series of overnight Israeli strikes. Gaza health officials reported that a family of three and eight police officers were killed.
A large portion of the Southern and Western U.S. is bracing for a blistering heat wave. Parts of California, Arizona and Nevada could see temperatures top 110 degrees this week. Southern Texas will also see dangerous heat levels. In all, the National Weather Service says some 19 million Americans will be under excessive heat watches and warnings this week.
Officials are urging those in affected areas to stay inside, drink plenty of water, and check on neighbors and relatives.
Major League Baseball has permanently banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for placing hundreds of sports bets totaling more than $150,000. That includes 25 bets on Pittsburgh Pirates games while he was on the team, though not playing himself. Four other players were also suspended for betting violations, each receiving a one-year ban.
Meantime, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodger star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud today in a California federal court. Ippei Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports gambling debts. There's been no evidence Ohtani was involved in any way.
On Wall Street today, stocks eked out again after a report showed U.S. job openings fell more than expected in April. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 140 points to close at 38711. The Nasdaq added 28 points. The S&P 500 tacked on nearly eight points.
And NASA is trying to get the Hubble telescope back online after a malfunction. The famous telescope slipped into a hibernating state more than a week ago due to a problem with one of its three remaining gyroscopes. Those spinning wheels help keep the telescope stable. NASA said today it will operate with just one gyroscope, which will keep Hubble idle until mid-June.
Hubble has been capturing the cosmos since it launched into orbit back in 1990. Its larger and more powerful successor, the Webb Space Telescope, went into space in 2021.
