Comment on Videotaping of signature gathering at Maine polls prompts legislation

TALLAHASSEE —  Alleging “inhumane manipulation” of immigrants, plaintiffs’ attorneys last week argued that a class-action lawsuit should move forward against Gov. Ron DeSantis and other defendants over controversial Florida-backed flights of 49 migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in 2022. The attorneys filed a 101-page brief arguing that a Massachusetts federal judge should reject arguments by DeSantis and the other defendants seeking dismissal of the lawsuit. “(At) the heart of this case is whether the laws of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts permit defendants to lure vulnerable, innocent people onto a plane with false promises of jobs, housing, and support, and then dump them in an unknown place they did not agree to go, where they were not expected, and without any of the promised resources,” the brief said.

By JULIE CARR SMYTH AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Before the November presidential election, Ohio’s secretary of state and attorney general announced investigations into potential voter fraud that included people suspected of casting ballots even though they were not U. S. citizens. Related Articles National Politics | 2024 was big for bitcoin. States could see a crypto policy blitz in 2025 in spite of the risks National Politics | Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors and urge them to stay engaged after tough loss to Trump National Politics | Broward Democrats reelect party chair amid questions over eligibility of some voters National Politics | Kennedy’s lawyer has asked the FDA to revoke approval of the polio vaccine National Politics | Graham says Hegseth plans to release accuser from confidential agreement It coincided with a national Republican messaging strategy warning that potentially thousands of ineligible voters would be voting. “The right to vote is sacred,” Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, said in a statement at the time.

It felt like 100 degrees on the job site by late afternoon. “Truly unbearable,” was how Jonathan Baudilio Ramirez Salazar described Florida’s weather when he spoke to his wife on the phone the night before. He’d worked one day in the thick July heat as a temporary laborer on a Fort Myers landscaping crew for TruScapes Industries Inc. “Don’t go to work tomorrow,” his wife told him. “My love, I didn’t come here to rest,” the 31-year-old said from his hotel.

By COLLEEN LONG and JILL COLVIN PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — In a freewheeling press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club, President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, declared the country was “not going to lose” the polio vaccine and weighed in on the flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey. Holding court with reporters for the first time since he won the election and secured a second term, Trump also called on the Biden administration to stop selling off unused portions of the southern border wall, threatening legal action. “We’re going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on building the same wall we already have,” he railed.

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans hoping for lower borrowing costs for homes, credit cards and cars may be disappointed after this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed’s policymakers are likely to signal fewer interest rate cuts next year than were previously expected. Related Articles National News | Migrant flights lawsuit against DeSantis should move forward, plaintiffs urge judge National News | 5 dead, others injured in a shooting at a private Christian school in Wisconsin National News | Drone sightings lead to airspace shutdown at Ohio military base, arrests near Boston airport National News | Japan’s Softbank plans to invest $100 billion in US projects over the next four years National News | As schools cut back on bus service, parents are turning to rideshare apps The officials are set to reduce their benchmark rate, which affects many consumer and business loans, by a quarter-point to about 4.3% when their meeting ends Wednesday.

Five people are dead and others injured after a shooting Monday at a private Christian school in Wisconsin, including a child who caused the attack, authorities said. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes was speaking to reporters when the death toll rose to five from three people. He offered no details on the victims but says others were wounded in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. Barnes says police officers who responded did not fire their weapons. Police had blocked off roads around the school Monday afternoon. Agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have responded to the scene to assist local law enforcement. “We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond,” Wisconsin Gov.