Confusion over USDA non-discrimination policy persists, school lunch funding potentially on the line

Yahoo News
Trump trial updates: After Stormy Daniels wraps testimony, judge denies motions to declare mistrial and loosen Trump’s gag order
When asked by lawyers for former President Donald Trump whether she had made up her story about a sexual affair with the former president, adult film actress Stormy Daniels had an emphatic, one-word answer: “No!”
Associated Press
Killing of an airman by Florida deputy is among cases of Black people being shot in their homes
The fatal shooting of a U.S. Air Force airman at his off-base apartment in the Florida Panhandle by a sheriff's deputy brings to mind other instances of Black people being killed by law enforcement in their own homes as they're going about their day. Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, was killed on May 3 in his apartment in Fort Walton Beach. Body camera video shown to reporters Thursday shows the deputy going to Fortson's door after speaking to a woman who described hearing an argument.
Reuters
Exclusive-Jared Kushner pitching donors on father-in-law Trump, sources say
Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been making calls to encourage donors to attend a Trump fundraiser in New York, two sources told Reuters, in one of the first indications of Kushner working to help re-elect his father-in-law. A former White House adviser to the former president, Kushner stepped away from politics after Trump's term ended in 2021 and founded Miami-based private equity firm Affinity Partners. His wife Ivanka, Trump's daughter, declared at the beginning of Trump's third run for the presidency in November 2022 that she did not plan to be involved in his campaign and wanted to prioritize her children.
Associated Press
Salad chain says a cleaner farming method will offset adding steak to its menu. What is it?
Salad chain Sweetgreen is adding steak to its menu, an announcement that led to strong reactions online, with customers questioning how that would impact the company’s carbon neutral plans. Founded in 2007 and known as a fast-casual spot serving salads and bowls, Sweetgreen says it will be carbon neutral by 2027 — meaning it plans to offset its own emissions by putting in place strategies that also remove carbon from the atmosphere. Sweetgreen’s rationale for the controversial caramelized, garlic-flavored steak menu addition this week includes using regenerative farming.
USA TODAY
Hundreds of Columbia Jewish students sign pro-Israel letter. Not all Jewish students agree.
A letter signed by hundreds of Jewish students at Columbia University condemned 'hateful rhetoric' after recent on-campus protests against Israel.
CBS News
Faulty insulin pump app led to hundreds of injuries, prompting recall
Maker of insulin pump urges customers to update an app because of glitch that causes the devices to unexpectedly shut down.
USA TODAY
Rafah suffering will be 'unbearable'
Thousands flee Rafah as Israeli tanks gather on the edge of the city. It's Thursday's news.
CBS News
Planet Fitness hikes membership fee for first time since 1998
The fitness chain's $10 monthly membership is one of few things that had remained unchanged since 1998 — until now.
Associated Press
Catholic church is stonewalling sex abuse investigation, Washington attorney general says
The Catholic church is refusing to cooperate with a Washington state investigation into whether it unlawfully used charitable trust funds to cover up sexual abuse by priests, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Thursday, asking a court to force the Seattle Archdiocese to turn over decades of records. The archdiocese called the allegations a surprise, saying in a statement that it welcomed the investigation and has been collaborating since receiving a subpoena last July. The archdiocese shares the state's goals — “preventing abuse and helping victim survivors on their path to healing and peace," it said.
Associated Press
Senate scrambles to pass bill improving air safety and service for travelers as deadline nears
The Senate is scrambling to pass a $105 billion bill designed to improve air safety and improve customer service for air travelers before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires at midnight on Friday. If senators can’t resolve a series of disputes over the measure by then, around 3,600 FAA employees could be furloughed, potentially exacerbating existing staffing shortages. The FAA says no one in “safety critical” positions — like air traffic controllers — would be affected if the deadline is missed, and the safety of the flying public would not be at risk.
Associated Press
Closure of California federal prison was poorly planned, judge says in ordering further monitoring
The plan to close a troubled prison in California where female inmates suffered sexual abuse by guards was “ill-conceived,” a judge said while ordering close monitoring and care of the incarcerated women who were moved to other federal facilities across the country. U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said in Wednesday's order that last month's decision by the Bureau of Prisons, or BOP, to shut down FCI Dublin “created serious concerns” for the well being of more than 600 women who were transferred out. The prisons bureau announced April 15 that it would shutter FCI Dublin despite attempts to reform the beleaguered facility after an Associated Press investigation exposed rampant staff-on-inmate abuse.
Associated Press
FBI warns that foreign adversaries could use AI to spread disinformation about US elections
The FBI is concerned that foreign adversaries could deploy artificial intelligence as a means to interfere in American elections and spread disinformation, a senior official said Thursday, describing the technology as an area “that's probably going to see growth over the coming years.” The threat is more than theoretical given the prevalence of AI deepfakes and robocalls and the way such technology has already surfaced in politics. The official noted an episode in Slovakia early this year in which audio clips resembling the voice of the liberal party chief — purportedly capturing him talking about hiking beer prices and rigging the vote — were shared widely on social media just days before parliamentary elections.
Associated Press
After Weinstein's case was overturned, New York lawmakers move to strengthen sex crime prosecutions
New York lawmakers may soon change the legal standard that allowed Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction to be overturned, with momentum building behind a bill to strengthen sexual assault prosecutions after the disgraced movie mogul's case was tossed. Two weeks later, lawmakers are pushing a bill that would allow courts to admit evidence that a defendant in a sex crimes case committed other sexual offenses, while also giving a judge discretion to bar such testimony if it would create “undue prejudice” against a defendant.
Associated Press
Colorado-based abortion fund sees rising demand. Many are from Texas, where procedure is restricted
A Colorado abortion fund said Thursday it’s helped hundreds access abortion in the first months of 2024, many arriving from Texas where abortion is restricted, showing a steady increase in need each year since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision left a patchwork of state bans, restrictions and protections across the country. In response, a national makeshift network of individuals and organizations help those seeking abortions in states where it's restricted, including the Colorado-based Cobalt Abortion Fund.
Associated Press
Scammer who claimed to be an Irish heiress should be extradited to UK, judge rules
A convicted scammer who claimed to be an Irish heiress and who is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from several victims should be extradited to the United Kingdom, a federal court has ruled. Marianne Smyth, who accusers say has also fashioned herself as a witch, a psychic and a friend to Hollywood stars, has been in a Maine jail waiting to learn if she will be extradited. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Nivison ruled on Thursday that there is sufficient evidence to certify Smyth's extradition to the U.K. to face charges.
Reuters
US to post influenza A wastewater data online to help with bird flu probe, official says
CHICAGO (Reuters) -The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is planning to post data on influenza A found in wastewater in a public dashboard possibly as soon as Friday that could offer new clues into the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in cattle herds. CDC wastewater team lead Amy Kirby told Reuters that the agency has identified spikes of influenza A, of which H5N1 is a subtype, in a handful of sites and is investigating the source. Kirby said the CDC has been collecting influenza data in wastewater in about 600 sites since at least last fall to better track respiratory infections.
AFP
Stormy Daniels denies cashing in on claimed tryst with Trump
Stormy Daniels finished her marathon testimony at Donald Trump's hush money trial on Thursday with attorneys for the former president seeking to paint her as a greedy liar who profited from her allegations.On Thursday, Trump's lawyers sought to suggest that Daniels was out for the money, cashing in on her story in a book for which the defense claimed she received $800,000.
CBS News
Chevrolet Malibu drives into sunset as GM makes way for electric cars
At its height, the Chevy Malibu won Motor Trend Car of the Year 1997 because of its smooth ride and fuel economy.
CBS News
Times Square NYPD machete attacker sentenced to 27 years
Trevor Bickford was sentenced to 27 years Thursday for attacking NYPD officers with a machete on New Year's Eve in 2022 near Times Square.
NBC News
Ex-roommate reveals final text sent to Idaho slayings victim Madison Mogen
A former roommate of the four University of Idaho students who were found stabbed to death in their off-campus home in 2022 shared the last text she sent to one of the victims, Madison Mogen.

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