Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed criminal charges against Utah plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, who was on trial for allegedly issuing fake COVID-19 vaccination cards. Moore and his co-defendants were accused of destroying government-provided vaccines and distributing falsely marked vaccine cards in exchange for payments. The charges, which included conspiracy and property conversion, stem from an alleged scheme between May 2021 and September 2022. Bondi stated Moore was providing a choice when the federal government was not. It remains unclear if the charges against Moore’s co-defendants will also be dropped.
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The Associated Press, established in 1846, functions as a global, independent news organization committed to factual reporting. AP is recognized as a highly trusted source for timely, accurate, and unbiased news across all formats, essential to the news industry. This organization provides vital technology and services to the news business. Moreover, AP’s journalism reaches over half the world’s population daily.
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A Los Angeles federal judge has issued temporary restraining orders against U.S. immigration enforcement, prohibiting agents from detaining individuals based on race, ethnicity, or language. The ruling stems from a lawsuit alleging unlawful “roving patrols” and detentions without reasonable suspicion, requiring detainees to have access to legal counsel. The judge’s decision asserts that government actions have lacked adequate legal basis and appear to be targeting specific communities. The ruling is considered historic by some, while the government has expressed disagreement with the decision.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) repeatedly granted Camp Mystic’s appeals to remove buildings from its 100-year flood map, despite the camp operating in a dangerous flood plain. In 2011, FEMA designated the camp in a “Special Flood Hazard Area,” requiring flood insurance and tighter construction regulations. However, through multiple appeals, the agency amended the map, removing buildings from the hazard area in 2013, and again in 2019 and 2020, potentially allowing the camp to avoid insurance requirements or lower premiums. Despite the amendments, analysis showed both camp sites were at risk, with the Guadalupe site fully within the 100-year flood plain.
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On Thursday morning, 15-year-old Juan Martinez received a call from his mother, who reported that ICE agents were at her workplace, Glass House Farms. His mother was subsequently taken into custody during the ICE raid and has not contacted him since. Martinez is now left caring for his two younger siblings while awaiting news about his mother’s situation and potential deportation. Another undocumented Glass House employee, Alexa’s mother, was also apprehended during the raid but was later released from custody after seeking medical attention while pregnant; they are now fearful of further action. An attorney representing the families notes that ICE is no longer using discretion, as they did in prior administrations, and is taking everyone.
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Recent data indicates a potential summer wave of COVID-19 is underway, with estimated growth in 25 states, particularly in the Southeast, Southern, and West Coast regions. The CDC’s analysis suggests a pattern of biannual surges, peaking in late summer and winter due to genetic changes in the virus. Simultaneously, health officials are monitoring an increase in parvovirus B19 cases, prompting warnings and recommendations for protective measures, especially for pregnant women. Chicago health officials noted the highest percentage of parvovirus B19-associated emergency room visits in years.
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A federal judge has issued a temporary order to halt immigration raids in Los Angeles and several other California counties, siding with the ACLU in a civil rights lawsuit. The ruling prohibits agents from making detentive stops based on factors like race, ethnicity, language spoken, or location, emphasizing the need for reasonable suspicion. The judge’s order also mandates access to legal counsel for detainees, addressing claims of constitutional violations by the Trump administration. While the Trump administration denies the claims, the ruling temporarily restrains specific practices and impacts the counties involved in the lawsuit.
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The Everglades immigration detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” is facing criticism for its poor conditions, as detainees report unsanitary living situations with worms in food and malfunctioning sanitation. Detainees also claim restricted access to medical care and communication with the outside world. While officials dispute these claims, reports from attorneys and families detail instances of denied due process, lack of access to lawyers, and the confinement of individuals with no criminal records. These conditions contrast sharply with the government’s portrayal of the facility as a model for immigration detention.
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Coconino County, Arizona, officials have confirmed a death from pneumonic plague. The patient, who presented at Flagstaff Medical Center and died the same day, received initial treatment, but did not recover. This marks the first pneumonic plague death in the county since 2007. Public health officials are investigating the case and have clarified that the recent death is unrelated to a recent prairie dog die-off, which can be an indicator of plague presence.
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A Georgia Republican, Brant Frost IV, is accused of running a Ponzi scheme through his company, First Liberty Building and Loan, defrauding 300 investors of at least $140 million. The SEC alleges Frost lied to investors about high-interest loans to companies, instead using new investments to repay earlier ones, while also diverting millions for personal expenses, including political contributions. The company, which advertised heavily on conservative media, promised high returns but was operating as a Ponzi scheme by 2021. Frost is cooperating with the SEC, and the case has political ramifications, potentially impacting funding for far-right candidates and the state Republican party.
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John Q. Hosedrinker