State Headlines
Supreme Court extends block on Texas law that would allow police to arrest migrants
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 7:58 amWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday continued to block, for now, a Texas law that would give police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S. while the legal battle it sparked over immigration authority plays out. A one-page order signed by Justice Samuel Alito indefinitely prevents Texas from enforcing a sweeping state immigration enforcement law that had been set to take effect this month. The language of the order strongly suggests the court will take additional action, but it is unclear when. It marks the second time Alito has extended a pause on the law, known as Senate Bill 4, which the Justice Department has argued would step on the federal government's immigration powers. Monday’s order extending the stay ... Read More
How Texas’ plans to arrest migrants for illegal entry would work if allowed to take effect
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 7:58 amMcALLEN, Texas (AP) — Texas' plan to arrest migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally is on hold while the Supreme Court considers a challenge to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's latest move over immigration. The nation's highest court put the law on pause over a lawsuit led by the Justice Department, which argues that Texas is overstepping the federal government's immigration authority. Under the law, any police officer in Texas could arrest migrants for illegal entry and a judge could order them to leave the U.S. Justice Samuel Alito ordered an indefinite stay on the law Monday. The court could decide on the future of the legislation any day. A federal judge in Texas blocked the law in a sweeping rejection last month, calling it ... Read More
Supreme Court weighs how far federal officials can go to combat posts
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 7:58 amWASHINGTON (AP) — In a busy term that could set standards for free speech in the digital age, the Supreme Court is taking up a dispute Monday between Republican-led states and the Biden administration over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics like COVID-19 and election security. The justices are hearing arguments in a lawsuit filed by Louisiana, Missouri and other parties accusing administration officials of leaning on the social media platforms to unconstitutionally squelch conservative points of view. Lower courts have sided with the states, but the Supreme Court blocked those rulings while it considers the issue. The high court is in the midst of a term heavy with social media issues. On Friday, the court ... Read More
US to investigate Texas fatal crash
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 7:58 amDETROIT (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal crash in San Antonio, Texas, that involved a Ford electric vehicle that may have been using a partially automated driving system. The agency says in a statement Friday that a team of investigators will travel to Texas and work with local police on the probe into the Feb. 24 crash on Interstate 10. The NTSB says preliminary information shows that a Mustang Mach-E equipped with the automated system hit the rear of a Honda CR-V that was stopped on the freeway. The CR-V driver was killed. The agency says it's investigating due to its continued interest in advanced driver assistance systems. ... Read More
EPA bans asbestos, a deadly carcinogen still in use decades after a partial ban was enacted
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 7:58 amWASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a carcinogen that kills tens of thousands of Americans every year but is still used in some chlorine bleach, brake pads and other products. The final rule marks a major expansion of EPA regulation under a landmark 2016 law that overhauled regulations governing tens of thousands of toxic chemicals in everyday products, from household cleaners to clothing and furniture. The new rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only ongoing use of asbestos in the United States. The substance is found in products such as brake linings and gaskets and is used to manufacture chlorine bleach and sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, including some that is used for water ... Read More
Houston Uber driver hits and kills a toddler
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 7:58 amHOUSTON (AP) — A 1-year-old girl died after being hit by an Uber driver who had just dropped her family at their apartment complex in Houston and apparently didn’t see her in front of his car as he pulled away, authorities said. Harris County Sheriff’s officials said the girl’s family members then pulled the driver from his vehicle and assaulted him Sunday. “It’s just an unfortunate tragedy at this point,” said sheriff’s office Lt. K. Benoit. The driver thought his path was clear after dropping the girl and her family off, but as he drove forward he hit the girl and dragged her for a bit, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Surveillance video shows the girl walking alone in front of the car just ... Read More
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