5 things to know for May 1: Campus protests, Hostages, Trump trial, Kansas tornado, Walnut recall
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A controversial abortion law in Florida went into effect at midnight — dropping the state’s 15-week ban to a six-week ban. Vice President Kamala Harris is now headed to the state to speak about reproductive rights amid the uptick in restrictions being adopted across the country. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. A large police presence arrived at the University of California, Los Angeles, overnight after a violent confrontation broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters. Hours earlier, police in riot gear entered Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall and used flash bangs when breaching the building in which pro-Palestinian protesters had barricaded themselves. Since April 18, more than 1,000 people have been arrested on more than 25 campuses across at least 21 states. Analysts say the nationwide protests have become a test for President Joe Biden as he seeks reelection with the Gaza war tearing deep rifts in his fragile coalition. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began another round of high-stakes talks in Israel today as the US seeks to ratchet up the pressure on Hamas to accept a ceasefire and hostage release deal. “We’re determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home, and to get it now,” Blinken said during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, adding that the US remains committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Blinken reiterated Tuesday that he believes a deal is “achievable because the Israelis put a strong proposal on the table,” and that the US wants to see such an agreement come together “in the coming days.” Former President Donald Trump was fined $9,000 on Tuesday for violating his gag order in the New York hush money trial. Judge Juan Merchan sanctioned Trump for multiple violations, including targeting witnesses and jurors on social media. In his order, the judge warned the former president that he could be imprisoned if he continues to willfully violate the gag order. Merchan could jail Trump for 30 days for finding him in contempt. Among other developments in court on Tuesday, Trump was informed that he would be able to attend his son Barron’s high school graduation. The judge had previously said he didn’t know if that would be possible but now believes things are moving quickly enough that he is comfortable having no court that day. A powerful tornado hit a Kansas town on Tuesday, leaving at least one dead and several others injured. The tornado touched down in Westmoreland, which has about 740 residents, according to the National Weather Service. Twenty-two houses were destroyed or are unlivable, and 13 other homes and one business were damaged, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Shane Jager said. This comes just days after a devastating, multi-day tornado outbreak leveled entire neighborhoods across several states in the American Heartland. Those storms killed at least five people, including four in Oklahoma.
The Supreme Court said Friday it will review the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s no-cost coverage mandates for certain preventive care services, putting the landmark health care law in front of the justices again just as President-elect Donald Trump – who tried to repeal the law during his first presidency – returns to the White House.
Prosecutors seek 15 years in prison for former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez after bribery conviction
Prosecutors say former US Sen. Bob Menendez should be imprisoned for 15 years, after the Democrat from New Jersey became the first to be convicted of abusing a Senate committee leadership position and the first public official to be convicted of serving as a foreign agent.