Finland is set to become the newest member of NATO today, doubling NATO’s presence along Russia’s borders. It is election day in Chicago, as two Democratic candidates are in a run-off for Chicago mayor. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
Finland joins NATO as 31st member
Finland will become an official member of NATO nearly a year after it first applied following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NATO’s border with Russia will now double with the addition of Finland, though the world’s biggest security alliance says it has no plans to send additional troops there.
The Finnish flag is set to be raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels at a ceremony on April 4. Finland is now the 31st NATO member.
Trump to be arraigned in New York
Former President Donald Trump is expected to face an arraignment on criminal charges in New York City on Tuesday, April 4. The judge handling the arraignment ruled a handful of photographers will be allowed in the courtroom to take still pictures, but no video will be taken.
Trump will first go to the Manhattan courthouse for fingerprinting and processing. Then this afternoon he’s expected to stand before the judge and plead not guilty to any charges related to hush money payments.
Trump is expected to travel back to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida where he plans to give a speech reacting to the charges.
Chicago votes for new mayor in runoff
Voters in Chicago are going to the polls to decide who their next mayor will be. The run-off election between Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas comes after no candidate received the majority of the votes in February.
The initial election ousted incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot. In the six-week run-up to today, Vallas and Johnson have debated issues from crime to education. Both men are Democrats but have different political approaches.
“I’m getting broad support from the business community because they’ve been decimated because of high crime, they’ve been decimated because of escalating taxes,” Vallas said.
“We do what works. And that’s investing in young people. There’s a correlation between hiring young people and, and violence reduction. And so these are the preventive measures that I am taking as mayor of Chicago,” Johnson said. He represents the progressive left, while Vallas is part of the moderate wing of the party. Polls will close at 8 p.m. ET.
Wisconsin Supreme Court election
Voters in Wisconsin head to the polls on April 4 for a crucial state Supreme Court election. The race is nonpartisan but Republican organizations are backing Dan Kelly, while Democratic groups are supporting Janet Protasiewicz. Democrats are hoping to flip the court’s balance for the first time in 15 years. Abortion rights has been the biggest focus of the race.
China warns against McCarthy meeting
China has warned House Speaker Kevin McCarthy not to “repeat disastrous past mistakes” by meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen this week, saying it would undermine regional peace and stability and worsen U.S.- China relations.
The Taiwanese government dismissed criticism of the planned meeting, which it confirmed would take place in California on Wednesday, April 5.
Tsai’s transit through the United States has fueled new threats from Beijing as relations between the world’s two largest economies spiral.
UConn wins national championship
The University of Connecticut men’s basketball are national champions after their victory over San Diego State University. The final score was 76-59. It is the fifth national title for the University of Connecticut and the first since 2014.
The team dominated in the tournament, winning each game by double digits.
Husky fans celebrated big at a watch party at their home stadium, coming in as a fourth seed, and coming out on top.
