Man with baseball bat attacks Virginia congressman's staffers; suspect in custody
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia says a man with a baseball bat walked into his Fairfax office, asked for him, and then assaulted two members of his staff. Fairfax City Police in northern Virginia said in a tweet that a suspect is in custody and, the victims are being treated for injuries that are not life-threatening. In a statement posted on Twitter, the Virginia Democrat said the man entered his district office Monday morning and asked for him before “committing an act of violence” against two staff members.
After school shooting, Tennessee governor signs bill to shield gun firms further against lawsuits
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed off on additional protections for gun and ammunition dealers, manufacturers and sellers against lawsuits within a bill that lawmakers passed after a deadly school shooting. The Republican governor quietly signed the legislation Thursday. Its provisions take effect July 1. The Senate passed the bill in mid-April, just weeks after the March 27 shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville that killed six people, including three 9-year-olds. The House had passed it before the shooting. Lee’s approval comes amid his push for Republican lawmakers to pass a proposal that aims to keep guns away from people who could harm themselves or others. He has called lawmakers back for a special session in August.
3M fires company executive for inappropriate conduct weeks after promotion
WASHINGTON (AP) — 3M has fired prominent executive Michael Vale due to “inappropriate personal conduct and violation of company policy,” the company announced on Monday. Vale was promoted to group president and chief business and country officer just last month. The news comes just weeks after St. Paul, Minnesota-based maker of Post-it notes, industrial coatings and ceramics announced thousands of job cuts. In April, the company said that restructing actions were expected to impact about 6,000 positions worldwide — in addition to the reduction of 2,500 manufacturing roles announced in January.
DeSantis curtails diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida state colleges
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that blocks public colleges from using federal or state funding on diversity programs, addressing a concern of conservatives ahead of the Republican governor’s expected presidential candidacy. The signing on Monday builds on the governor’s larger push to shape Florida’s education system through regulating how schools deal with subjects such as race and gender. DeSantis argues he is challenging inappropriate liberal ideology in the classroom. The new law comes as Republicans across the country target programs on diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education through similar legislation.
Cartier uses images of Amazon tribe devastated by illegal gold mining. Critics call that hypocrisy
BOA VISTA, Brazil (AP) — Until two months ago, Cartier’s website showed Indigenous children playing in a field of tall, green grass. The French luxury jewelry brand said it was working to promote the culture of the Indigenous people and protect the rainforest. But the project that the site described never took place, and Cartier took down the photo when contacted by The Associated Press. This incident aside, some of the Yanomami and their defenders praise Cartier’s promotion of Yanomami causes. But that one of the world’s biggest jewelers would advertise with images of an Indigenous people devastated by illegal gold mining has some complaining of greenwashing, a corporation promoting its own image by supporting a cause.
A Texas woman was fatally shot by her boyfriend after she got an abortion, police say
DALLAS (AP) — Police say a man who didn’t want his girlfriend to get an abortion fatally shot her during a confrontation in a Dallas parking lot. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Gabriella Gonzalez was with her boyfriend on Wednesday. She had returned from Colorado, where she had gone to get an abortion, the night before. Police say 22-year-old Harold Thompson tried to put her in a chokehold, then shot her in the head. Police believe he was the father of the child and did not want her to get an abortion. As of Friday he was jailed on a murder charge. Court records don’t list an attorney.
A Florida man living underwater won't resurface even after breaking the record
KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — A university professor broke a record for the longest time living underwater without depressurization this weekend at a Florida Keys lodge for scuba divers. University of South Florida professor Joseph Dituri spent his 74th day underwater Saturday in a Key Largo lodge for scuba divers. He submerged March 1 and doesn't plan to resurface until June 9, when his mission reaches 100 days. He spent the record-breaking day at the bottom of a 30-foot-deep lagoon in Key Largo much like the previous days, eating eggs and salmon prepared with a microwave, exercising with resistance bands and doing his daily pushups. The Project Neptune 100 mission combines medical and ocean research with educational outreach.
More dogs could show up in outdoor dining spaces. Not everyone is happy about it
Just in time for the summer dining season, the U.S. government has given its blessing to restaurants that want to allow pet dogs in their outdoor spaces. It better reflects reality; nearly half of states already allow canine dining outdoors. Restaurants have been required to allow service dogs for decades. But it wasn’t until the mid-2000’s that states began allowing dogs in outdoor dining spaces. Late last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new guidance saying restaurants can welcome dogs as long as they get permission from a local authority. The FDA suggests they also require leashes and develop plans to handle dog waste.
Oakland A's reach agreement for potential stadium site on Las Vegas Strip
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with Bally’s and Gaming & Leisure Properties to build a potential stadium on the Tropicana hotel site along the Las Vegas Strip. Bally’s on Monday unveiled plans for a 30,000-seat stadium on the 35-acre site. The project is expected to cost about $1.5 billion. The A’s are asking for nearly $400 million in public support from the Nevada Legislature, which could vote on a proposal this week.
Cannes Film Festival readies a blockbuster edition, with Indy, 'Flower Moon,' Depp and more
The 76th Cannes Film Festival opens Tuesday with the premiere of “Jeanne du Barry,” a historical drama starring Johnny Depp. Last year’s festival produced three Oscar best-picture nominees: “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Elvis” and the Palme d’Or winner “Triangle of Sadness." This year’s festival is headlined by a pair of marquee premieres: Martin Scorsese’s Osage Nation 1920s epic “Killers of the Flower Moon,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, and James Mangold’s “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” starring Harrison Ford in his final performance as the character. Ford and Michael Douglas will receive honorary Palme d'Ors during the festival, which runs through May 27.