Former President Donald Trump is back in Florida after pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. What’s next in the unprecedented criminal case against him? And Nashville police executed a search warrant at the home of the school shooter who killed six people at a Christian private school. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Trump gives speech following arraignment
Former President Donald Trump was arraigned in a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday, April 4. He pleaded not guilty to all 34 felony counts related to falsifying records in connection to alleged hush money payments paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels laid out in a 16-page indictment. Trump attorneys said they will file a motion to dismiss in the coming months.
The next hearing in the case isn’t until Dec. 4, where Trump will be expected to appear. Trump returned to Florida where he addressed the indictment brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, calling it a political stunt and promoting his own presidential campaign.
“We are a nation in decline,” Trump said. “And now these radical left lunatics want to interfere with our elections by using law enforcement. We can’t let that happen. With all of this being said and with a very dark cloud over our beloved country, I have no doubt, nevertheless, that we will make America great again.”
On the same day of former President Trump’s indictment, a federal appeals court ordered Daniels to pay Trump’s legal fees in a separate case. Daniels had sued Trump for defamation in 2018 over a Twitter post, but lost. The adult film star will now have to pay more than $121,000 to cover Trump’s defense.
Nashville shooter’s home searched
We’re learning new details in the Nashville school shooting that killed three students and three staffers at a Christian school last week. Investigators have revealed what they found and confiscated during a search warrant of the shooter’s home. Police recovered 47 items from the house and logged them into evidence.
The shooter, 28 year old Audrey Hale, had left behind an apparent suicide note. There were 19 journals and covenant school yearbooks. There was also reading material on school shootings and firearms courses.
Two shotguns were recovered from the house along with more ammunition. Police have not yet released a motive in the case as the investigation is ongoing.
J&J proposes settlement over talc
Johnson & Johnson is offering nearly $9 billion to settle talcum powder lawsuits. The health and consumer goods company says the proposal is being backed by more than 60,000 parties that have filed lawsuits. They claimed the talc used in its products was contaminated with asbestos and gave them illness, including cancer.
Johnson and Johnson says the settlement, which still needs approval by a bankruptcy court, does not mean an admission of wrongdoing.
GM avoids layoffs after buyouts
About 5,000 white-collar employees at General Motors have accepted buyout offers from the company, helping GM to save about $1 billion per year in costs and other employees to keep their jobs. The automaker said the success of buyouts means GM won’t be making any layoffs, at least at this time.
The move comes as General Motors tries to bring down costs and make the transition to electric vehicles.
Violence at holy temple ahead of holiday
During a sensitive holiday season, violence broke out between Israeli police and Palestinian youth inside of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
Police fired stun grenades in response to Palestinians throwing rocks and firecrackers at forces. Fifty people were injured and 350 people barricaded inside the building were arrested.
The outburst then resulted in Palestinian militants firing off a rocket on Southern Israel. Israel responded by sending in its own airstrikes.
The location is known to be used by both Jews and Muslims. Muslims are marking Ramadan while Jewish people are preparing for Passover.
Chicago’s new mayor elected
We reported Tuesday that two highly contested elections were happening in the U.S., and now, the results are in. Chicago has a new mayor in Chicago, and Wisconsin has elected in its newest state Supreme Court Justice.
Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson was elected Chicago mayor in the city’s run-off election. Paul Vallas conceded to Johnson by night’s end. Johnson will replace Lori Lightfoot, whose bid for a second term was rejected by Chicago voters in February.
Meanwhile in Wisconsin, Judge Janet Protasiewicz, a Democratic-backed Milwaukee judge, won a high-stakes Supreme Court race, ensuring liberals will take over the majority of the court for the first time in 15 years. The timing of the election comes as the fate of the state’s abortion ban will be on the line.
