Hunter, who has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years, claims he repaid his taxes in 2019 after getting sober.
The trial could last about a month and it’s set to center on his failure to pay taxes while experiencing addiction. However, he still spent large amounts of money to live a party boy lifestyle.
This trial comes in the wake of his June conviction in Delaware of lying about his drug use to illegally buy a gun. He is currently appealing that ruling.
Federal judge rules Illinois’ concealed carry public transit ban unconstitutional
A federal judge ruled it’s unconstitutional for the state of Illinois to prohibit residents with concealed carry permits from carrying on public transportation. The judge cited the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision.
The ruling currently applies only to the four plaintiffs who challenged the law in a 2022 lawsuit. They argued that the ban infringed upon their Second Amendment right to self-defense while using buses and trains.
The Bruen decision mandates that firearms regulations be evaluated using the test of the “historical tradition of firearm regulation,” setting a new standard for constitutional scrutiny.
Under this new standard, governments must demonstrate that gun control measures align with U.S. historical traditions. This requirement is reshaping firearms legislation nationwide.
U.S. District Judge Iain Johnston made the decision based on examination of historical records. The judge concluded that the state failed to demonstrate a founding-era tradition of firearm regulation that would justify prohibiting concealed carry on public transit for permit holders.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office is preparing to challenge the recent ruling, indicating a likely appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Raoul’s office said that until there’s a final decision, Illinois residents should continue to abide by the state’s concealed carry law on the books.
Hawaii’s new open carry law: Balancing rights and public safety
Hawaii dramatically shifted its weapons laws in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision. Hawaii, which is known for strict weapons restrictions and low gun violence rates, now allows open carry of weapons, including firearms, battle axes and blades, in public spaces.
State lawmakers passed a law allowing open carry of deadly or dangerous weapons in public following both the Bruen decision and a subsequent circuit court ruling striking down the state’s ban on butterfly knives. The law also increased penalties for weapon-related crimes.
The law explicitly prohibits carrying weapons in a manner that threatens or terrorizes others, reinforcing the state’s focus on preserving public order and security.
This change reshaped iconic tourist destinations like Waikiki, known for its beaches and surfing. The beach is now seeing the presence of armed individuals openly carrying weapons.
The Hawaii Attorney General’s Office emphasized that the new law does not create a “free-for-all” scenario. The office said the state remains committed to maintaining public safety while complying with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Hawaii continues to adapt to this new legal landscape, facing the ongoing challenge of balancing constitutional rights and public safety.
While open carry is now generally permitted in Hawaii, concealed carry remains a misdemeanor.
Concealed carry advocates score win against California in federal ruling
In a win for Second Amendment rights advocates and a blow to California gun control measures, a federal judge ordered the state accept concealed carry permit applications from out-of-state resident on Thursday, Aug. 22. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down many states’ gun restrictions that did not align with the United States’ “historic tradition of firearms regulations,” California passed a handful of laws to restrict the ability of citizens to carry weapons in public.
One of those laws passed in the Golden State barred out-of-state residents from applying for concealed carry permits. However, gun rights groups challenged that restriction, saying that it failed the U.S. Supreme Court’s historical test.
District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett agreed with that argument, noting that the state had not found any past laws showing such limits are “part of a historical tradition of this nation.”
Garnett also ruled that California’s waiting time for permits is too long and unconstitutional. Residents in the state can reportedly wait up to 18 months to get concealed carry permit.
Additionally, the lawsuit challenged exorbitant fees, required psychological exams and discretionary denials. However, Garnett said these issues will have to wait until she can review the merits of the entire case.
California is expected to appeal the preliminary injunction and request a stay on the ruling.
Jury finds parents of Santa Fe high school shooter not negligent
In a landmark civil trial, a Texas jury has found the parents of the Santa Fe High School shooter not negligent and absolved them of financial liability for the 2018 tragedy. The jury instead placed responsibility on the shooter, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, and Lucky Gunner, an online ammunition retailer that sold him ammunition without age verification.
Ten people, including eight students and two adults, were killed in the shooting. Families were awarded over $300 million in damages, including compensation for pain and mental anguish.
The CEO of Lucky Gunner told CBS News, “Lucky Gunner wasn’t a party to the trial, so it was easy for the jury to place some of the blame on us because we weren’t there to defend ourselves.”
The criminal trial for Pagourtzis, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, remains indefinitely delayed due to mental incompetency.
During the trial, expert testimony revealed a complex array of mental health diagnoses for the shooter, including schizoaffective disorder, psychosis and other conditions.
Pagourtzis’ parents said they didn’t see any warning signs before the shooting, and his father stated, “Sometimes it takes years to recognize that your kid’s sick.”
The Texas jury decision contrasts with the landmark Michigan case earlier this year, when Jennifer and James Crumbley were convicted and sentenced to prison for their son’s shooting at Oxford High School.
It’s unclear if or when Pagourtzis’ criminal trial will get underway.
Failures by police and Army led up to Maine mass shooting: Report
A final report by an independent commission on Tuesday, Aug. 20, on the deadliest shooting in Maine’s history shows critical failures by both the Army Reserve and local police that could have prevented the shooting. The investigation found multiple missed opportunities to address Robert Card’s mental health and seize his weapons before he killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, on Oct. 25, 2023.
Maine law enforcement was reportedly authorized to confiscate Card’s weapons under a yellow flag law. Police could have also placed him in protective custody weeks before the shooting. Authorities also knew of Card’s two-week hospitalization for psychiatric reasons and access to weapons a month before the shooting. The New York Police Department also could have taken Card’s weapons under a red flag law, which was previously used on non-residents.
The report said that the Army hospitalized Card during training in May of 2023 but that there were no check-ins after his release to ensure he was taking medication and getting follow-up care. In August of 2023, the Army banned him from handling weapons while on duty and listed him as non-deployable.
In September 2023, a fellow Army reservist reportedly wrote in a text about Card, “I think he’s going to snap and do a mass shooting.” The reservist pleaded with authorities to change the passcode to the gate of the military facility and arm themselves if Card showed up. Still, authorities chose not to confront Card.
A separate investigation by the Army led to three reserve officers being disciplined for dereliction of duty. Card’s unit leaders reportedly ignored recommendations from mental health care providers to remove weapons from Card’s home.
Meanwhile, the 215-page final report reiterated findings released in March and essentially laid out that police and the Army should have followed measures available to them in the months leading up to the shooting.
In the wake of the mass shooting, Maine passed new gun laws, including a three-day waiting period for gun purchases that went into effect in July.
Texas AG Paxton threatens to sue Dallas over gun ban at state fair
Texas’ Attorney General Ken Paxton and Republican lawmakers are challenging a new firearms ban at the State Fair of Texas. The fair announced a new rule banning guns at the fair, except for those carried by active or retired peace officers. The ban comes after a shooting at the fair last year left three people wounded.
Paxton has threatened legal action against the city of Dallas if the state fair does not rescind its firearms ban within 15 days. He argued that the ban violates a Texas government code protecting licensed gun carriers’ rights on government property.
Additionally, more than 70 Republican legislators signed a petition opposing the ban, arguing it compromises safety because gun-free zones are “magnets for crime” and less of a deterrent to potential wrongdoers.
According to a spokesperson for the State Fair of Texas, the firearms ban ensures a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere.
Fair representatives said they will deploy 200 uniformed officers, conduct screenings, use a weapon detection system for security and implement a bag size policy.
Paxton said he sent a letter to the city of Dallas demanding that the ban be lifted before the start of the fair, which runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20.
Prosecutors say Romanian businessman hired Hunter Biden to ‘influence’ US policy
With a month to go until Hunter Biden’s federal tax trial, prosecutors are making new allegations the president’s son accepted payments from a Romanian businessman to influence U.S. policy. And new details are emerging about the terror plot that resulted in the cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Austria. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
Prosecutors say Romanian businessman hired Hunter Biden to ‘influence’ U.S. policy
New details are coming out of Hunter Biden’s federal tax case. While the trial doesn’t begin until September, there’s a new court filing from the special counsel laying out a new allegation the prosecution plans to bring up.
Federal prosecutors allege the president’s son was compensated by a Romanian businessman who was trying to influence U.S. policy and end a local investigation of him in Romania.
According to the Wednesday, Aug. 7 filing, the special counsel intends to go after Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings even more, including his association with Burisma — a Ukrainian natural gas company — and an energy company in China.
The prosecution said it evidence will show he “performed almost no work in exchange for millions of dollars” from these entities and will speak to Hunter Biden’s “state of mind” and “intent” during the years in question.
Hunter Biden’s team had requested certain evidence be omitted from trial, questioning its relevance to the federal tax charges, which include failing to pay taxes, failing to file, and filing a fraudulent form.
He’s charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors in the tax case. The president’s youngest son is accused of failing to pay more than a million dollars in taxes between 2016 and 2019. Prosecutors allege he used the funds to live lavishly, including spending millions on drugs, escorts and luxury cars. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty in the case.
This is separate from Hunter Biden’s federal gun case where he was convicted in June of lying about his illegal drug use while filling out a form to purchase a gun. He has not been sentenced yet in that case.
Biden ‘not confident’ in peaceful transfer of power if Trump loses election
We’re getting a preview of President Joe Biden’s one-on-one interview with CBS News. While the full interview will air on Sunday, Aug. 11, there’s a clip that is getting a lot of attention Thursday morning, Aug. 8.
CBS News reporter Robert Costa asked the president if he’s confident there will be a peaceful transfer of power in January.
“If Trump loses, I’m not confident at all,” Biden said. “He means what he says, he means it, all the stuff about if we lose there will be a bloodbath.”
He added, “You can’t love your country only when you win.”
Trump’s “bloodbath” comments came during a rally in March. The former president has said he was referring to a “bloodbath” in the economy and auto industry if he loses the 2024 election.
Three months later, Trump was asked during the presidential debate on June 27 whether he would accept the 2024 election results. He said as long as it’s a “fair and legal” election, he’ll accept whatever the results are come November.
Taylor Swift shows in Austria canceled over foiled terror plot
Three of Taylor Swift’s concerts set for Vienna, Austria have been canceled after authorities say they foiled a terror attack planned for that leg of her Eras Tour. Austrian police said they’ve arrested two suspects who they say are ISIS sympathizers and became “radicalized by the internet.”
Police chemical substances and technical devices were found at the home of a 19-year-old suspect and are being evaluated. Authorities also said they’ve made “further detentions” but didn’t give any more details.
The concert’s promoter said all tickets for the canceled shows will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.
Family of French explorer killed in Titan catastrophe files $50M lawsuit
The family of French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet who died when the Titan submersible imploded during a deep dive to the wreckage of the Titanic is suing for more than $50 million. They said the crew of five people on board experienced “terror and mental anguish” before the disaster and accuse OceanGate, the sub’s operator, of gross negligence.
After the June 2023 incident when the vessel imploded due to catastrophic pressure loss, it was revealed that industry experts had raised serious safety concerns about the project years earlier.
The lawsuit also alleges OceanGate failed to disclose the Titan’s flaws and purposely concealed any issues from French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet. It also saysNargeolet — who had taken part in 37 dives to the Titanic wreckage, more than anyone else in the world — would not have taken the voyage if he’d known about the Titan’s issues.
The implosion killed four other people, including OceanGate’s CEO. This is the first lawsuit to be filed in connection with the disaster.
Intel shareholders sue after stock plunges over job and dividend cuts
Intel’s shareholders are suing a chip maker. Intel said the company hid problems with its manufacturing business ahead of announced layoffs and poor earnings.
The lawsuit accuses Intel, its CEO, and CFO of making false and misleading statements that “artificially inflated” the company’s stock price prior to announcing a loss of more than a billion dollars between April and June of 2024.
American Quincy Hall comes from behind to win men’s 400-meter final
Team USA won more medals on day 12 of the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The team picked up three more gold medals.
Team USA now tops the charts with 27 gold medals and 94 medals overall.
On Wednesday, the U.S. won wrestling, women’s cycling, and in track and field — even though it looked like sprinter Quincy Hall was out of the running with just seconds to go in the race.
Hall pulled off an amazing comeback with just a quarter of the 400-meter final to go. He fell into fourth place as the runners rounded the last bend but then picked up the pace and passed his competition to cross the finish line first.
American Rounds to expand footprint of ammo vending machines
The company behind ammunition vending machines reportedly announced its intention to expand its footprint across the United States on Friday, Aug. 2. The company known as American Rounds said that it plans to expand to the western part of the United States into states, including California.
The western expansion is reportedly already underway with the first ammunition vending machine being installed in Colorado this week.
Meanwhile, the ammo vending machines are already in states including Texas, Alabama and Oklahoma. American Rounds also said that it has received requests from stores in Indiana and Kentucky.
According to American Rounds, stores in more than 40 states have requested machines. So far there are no specific state-by-state expansion plans.
In order for people to get ammunition from the vending machine, they must have a valid identification card and be alright with using facial recognition technology to verify their identity. The machines hold ammunition for handguns, rifles and shotguns.
“As a family we are pro-Second Amendment, but we are also for responsible gun ownership,” Orin Lagree, the president of LaGree Food Stores, said. “We believe the technology in these machines will help keep ammo out of the wrong hands.”
However, critics say while security measures are fine, it’s the location of the vending machines that is the problem.
“Innovations that make ammunition more secure via facial recognition, age verification and the tracking of serial sales are promising safety features that belong in gun stores, not in the place where you buy your kids’ milk,” Nick Suplina, the senior vice president of Everytown Gun Safety, said.
“In a country awash in guns and ammo, where guns are the leading cause of deaths for kids, we don’t need to further normalize the sale and promotion of these products,” Suplina added.
The company’s CEO contends that it’s a misconception to think they’re “going to put these everywhere that a vending machine-style product would go.”
“We’re not interested in putting them in every location,” CEO Grant Magers said.
NY bans graphic active shooter drills as parents say they’re traumatizing students
New York, which is home to the United States’ largest school district, is banning the use of realistic active shooter drills in all schools in the state. The New York State Board of Regents approved the change on Thursday, July 11.
The new rules will begin this school year and the board unanimously approved them. Schools now cannot use actors, props and violent depictions during school shooting drills. Instead, schools will be required to use only “trauma informed” and “age appropriate” procedures. Additionally, parents will have to be notified of the drills one week in advance.
The move follows years of complaints from parents. Parents, activists, doctors and lawmakers claimed the graphically detailed drills traumatize children and do not actually prepare them for such events. Instead, they said, the drills create a culture of fear and anxiety among students.
In one case, a parent reportedly complained that their child came home and began locking doors and windows in response to an active shooter drill at their school. In another instance, a five-year-old asked their parent what a “bullet can do to a body.”
Parents said that these incidents show that students’ focus are turning from learning to concerns about violence. However, in reality, the likelihood of being in a school shooting still remains very rare.
Data from Everytown for Gun Safety reveals that less than 1% of gun deaths annually are from school shootings. However, gun control advocates point out that gun violence remains a problem at schools. Everytown for Gun Safety also showed that there have been 118 incidents of gunfire on U.S. school grounds this year so far.
Meanwhile, Stella Kaye, a 17-year-old, who survived two school shootings, said that the realistic active shooter drills do not really prepare students for the actual shootings. Kaye also said she supports the change coming to New York schools.
The New York State Legislature is also looking to reduce the number of mandatory lockdown drills in schools, from eight to four each year and to reduce evacuation drills from four to two annually.
Advocates for the changes argued that the better solution for school safety is to train staff on how to respond to active shooter situations and other safety measures such as locks on doors and windows in classrooms.