In our news wrap Thursday, the Interior Department is investigating what appears to be an anti-Trump message etched into the grass of the National Mall in Washington, severe storms in the Midwest are disrupting travel and the gunman who killed Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband pleaded guilty in federal court.
Geoff Bennett:
We start the day’s other headlines in the Midwest.
Thousands remain without power after severe storms swept through the region, disrupting travel and causing at least one death. And more bad weather is in store tonight, with Chicago and Milwaukee among those at the highest risk of hail, damaging winds and even tornadoes.
Earlier today, blinding sheets of rain and hail hit parts of Minnesota. The storms peeled off part of a roof outside Chicago and toppled trees and power lines from Wisconsin to Ohio. And then there’s the heat. More than 80 million Americans are facing potentially dangerous temperatures and high humidity through the weekend, especially along the East Coast.
The gunman who killed Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, pleaded guilty today in federal court. Vance Boelter agreed to a deal with prosecutors that would spare him the death penalty. The 58-year-old was disguised as a police officer when he went to the Hortmans’ home last June and carried out the attack.
He’s also charged with the nonfatal shootings of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The attacks added to nationwide concerns over politically motivated violence.
As of today, the war in Ukraine has now officially lasted longer than World War I. It’s been more than four years and three months since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine. Many thought the country would fall within days. The conflict has also drawn comparisons to World War I, especially the return of trench warfare, grinding artillery battles, and front lines measured in yards rather than miles.
There is no end in sight to the present-day war. Just today, flames spewed from this apartment building in Southern Russia after an overnight drone attack. Also today, Britain’s Defense Secretary John Healey resigned unexpectedly. He cited low military spending at a time of what he called rising threats, including from Russia.
The Interior Department says it’s investigating what appears to be a large anti-Trump message appearing in dead or discolored grass of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Seen from above, the faint outline of the numbers 8647 can be seen; 86 is slang for remove or to get rid of something, and Trump is the 47th president.
Officials say they take any threat against the president very seriously; 8647 is the same term that former FBI Director James Comey once shared on social media spelled out in shells. He’s been charged with making threats against the president, which he denies.
On the South Lawn of the White House, a giant octagon cage is now ready for this weekend’s UFC event. The mixed martial arts fight is timed for President Trump’s 80th birthday and is part of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UFC head Dana White signed a partnership today, formally recognizing the sport as a tool of American diplomacy. And the venue itself was open to the press today, with the “News Hour”‘s Liz Landers getting a sneak peek.
Liz Landers:
This arena right here is going to hold more than 4,000 people. Another 120,000 people will be in other places on the South Lawn and in the Ellipse here. The cost of this, around $60 million.
We have learned that seven federal agencies, including the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security, have been involved.
Geoff Bennett:
A lawsuit was filed this past weekend by two Virginia residents who say the administration ignored federal rules about hosting public events on government property, but it’s not expected to derail Sunday’s fight.
In New York City, the Knicks are now just one win away from their first championship in more than 50 years after staging the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history. This tip-in by O.G. Anunoby sealed the win after the Knicks eliminated a 29-point deficit against the San Antonio Spurs.
That set off an eruption among fans inside Madison Square Garden and beyond.
(Cheering)
Geoff Bennett:
Fans cheered fans danced, cheered and sang in celebration, but some scenes turned rowdy, with police arresting dozens of people.
The Knicks now lead the best-of-seven series three games to one. They head to San Antonio for game five on Saturday.
On Wall Street today, stocks rebounded after President Trump called off his threats to strike Iran tonight. The Dow Jones industrial average surged nearly 1,000 points, the Nasdaq jumped more than 600 points, or 2.5 percent. The S&P 500 posted its best day in two months.
Still to come on the “News Hour”: President Trump taps U.S. attorney Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence after a standoff with Congress; Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Devlin Barrett details the transformation of the Justice Department under the Trump administration; and the World Cup kicks off with a challenge, how to contend with dangerously hot weather.
