The U.S. Department of Justice has charged the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a civil rights group, with fraud. Officials say the SPLC improperly raised money and used it to pay members of white supremacist groups to gather information, without telling donors the full details.
Key Facts
The SPLC is accused of fraudulently raising millions of dollars from donors.
The group allegedly paid at least $3 million to members of the Ku Klux Klan and other far-right groups from 2014 to 2023.
The payments were made through bank accounts and prepaid cards to secret informants.
Charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The SPLC says the informant program was used to track violent threats and shared information with law enforcement.
Some informants were high-ranking members of white supremacist groups.
The SPLC will defend itself and says its work has saved lives.
The case is being handled in Alabama, where the SPLC is based.
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Chadwick Scott Willacy was executed in Florida for the 1990 murder of his neighbor, Marlys Sather, whom he set on fire during a burglary. He was given a lethal injection and died at Florida State Prison. Willacy maintained his innocence but was convicted and sentenced to death after a trial and appeals process.
Key Facts
Chadwick Scott Willacy was executed on April 16, 2026, at Florida State Prison.
He was convicted for killing Marlys Sather in 1990 by setting her on fire after a burglary.
Sather was alive when set on fire and died from smoke inhalation.
Willacy bound her hands and feet, struck her in the head, and attempted to strangle her before using gasoline.
He also stole Sather’s car and money from her ATM.
Willacy was sentenced to death after a jury trial, with his sentence confirmed after appeals.
This was Florida’s fifth execution in 2026; the state led U.S. executions last year with 19.
Governor Ron DeSantis has overseen more executions in a year than any previous Florida governor since 1976.
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A Florida man named Chadwick Scott Willacy was executed for setting his neighbor on fire during a 1990 home burglary. He was given a lethal injection and pronounced dead at Florida State Prison. This was the fifth execution in Florida this year.
Key Facts
Chadwick Scott Willacy was executed for killing his neighbor Marlys Sather in 1990.
Sather was found alive after being set on fire but died from smoke inhalation.
Willacy broke into Sather's home, attacked her, and set her on fire after she returned from work.
He was sentenced to death after a resentencing in 1995 due to a jury issue.
Florida has carried out five executions so far in 2026.
Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw a record 19 executions in Florida in 2025.
All executions in Florida are done by a three-drug lethal injection.
Another execution is scheduled in Florida for April 30, 2026.
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The Justice Department charged the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) with 11 counts, including bank and wire fraud. The charges relate to a program the group used that paid informants to watch extremist groups, but this program has now ended.
Key Facts
The SPLC faces 11 criminal charges from the Justice Department.
Charges include six counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy.
The case involves a program that paid informants to monitor extremist groups.
This monitoring program is no longer active.
The SPLC has denied the allegations made by the Justice Department.
The charges were announced on a Tuesday by the Justice Department.
Wire fraud generally means using electronic communication to commit dishonest acts for money.
Bank fraud refers to schemes to defraud a bank or financial institution.
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The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center for using paid informants to enter extremist groups. The Pentagon shared details about its $1.5 trillion budget request, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. military members will no longer have to get annual flu shots.
Key Facts
The Justice Department filed criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The charges relate to using paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups.
The Pentagon revealed its $1.5 trillion budget plan.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a policy change about flu shots.
U.S. military personnel are no longer required to get yearly flu vaccines.
These updates were part of a news wrap on Tuesday.
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Kevin Warsh is President Trump's choice to replace Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. He faced tough questions from senators during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh is nominated by President Trump to lead the Federal Reserve.
The current Fed chair, Jerome Powell, is stepping down.
Warsh appeared before the Senate committee for his confirmation hearing.
Senators asked Warsh challenging questions about his views and plans.
The hearing took place on a Tuesday.
The Federal Reserve is the U.S. central bank that manages the country’s money supply and interest rates.
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President Trump’s nominee for Federal Reserve Chair, Kevin Warsh, was questioned by lawmakers about his views on monetary policy and whether he can act independently from President Trump. At the same time, President Trump’s criticism of the current Fed Chair, Jerome Powell, is making it harder for Warsh to get confirmed.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh is President Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve.
Lawmakers asked Warsh about his plans for U.S. monetary policy.
They also questioned if Warsh could remain independent from President Trump’s influence.
President Trump has been pressuring against Jerome Powell, the current Fed Chair.
This pressure is causing uncertainty and could delay or block Warsh’s nomination.
The Federal Reserve controls the country’s money supply and interest rates to influence the economy.
David Wessel from the Hutchins Center discussed these issues on a news program.
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Voters in Virginia are deciding whether to approve a new map for congressional districts. If the map is approved, it could help the Democratic Party win four more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives this November.
Key Facts
Virginians voted on a new congressional map on Tuesday.
The map was created to redraw the boundaries of voting districts.
Approval of the map could increase Democratic seats by four.
This change may affect the control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Democrats see Virginia as important for their chances in the upcoming election.
The decision in Virginia is part of larger national election strategies.
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Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, becoming the third Cabinet member to leave in two months. Political experts discussed what these departures might indicate about the current state of the administration.
Key Facts
Lori Chavez-DeRemer served as Labor Secretary before resigning.
She is the third Cabinet member to leave the Trump administration in the last two months.
Cabinet departures can show challenges or changes within the administration.
Political strategists Kevin Sheridan and Adam Greene provided analysis on the situation.
The resignations may affect how the administration functions moving forward.
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Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Florida resigned from Congress amid an ethics investigation about how she used campaign money. Her resignation came one week after two other members of Congress also resigned.
Key Facts
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida.
She resigned on a Tuesday, shortly before an ethics probe began.
The ethics investigation focused on her use of campaign funds.
This resignation follows two recent resignations by other members of Congress last week.
The news was reported by journalist Lisa Desjardins.
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A fourth man has been charged in the kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian in Sydney. Baghsarian was abducted in a case of mistaken identity and later found dead near Pitt Town after being held at a location in Dural.
Key Facts
Chris Baghsarian, 85, was kidnapped from his home in Sydney’s north on February 13.
Police say Baghsarian was taken by mistake, not the intended target.
His body was found on February 24 near a golf club in Pitt Town, Sydney’s northwest.
Investigators believe he was killed on the night of February 14.
Baghsarian was held at a temporary stronghold in Dural before his death.
A 19-year-old was charged on Tuesday with murder and other offenses.
Three other men have also been charged and are in court.
Baghsarian’s family described him as a loving and gentle man.
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A new bill introduced in the U.S. House aims to change Medicare and Medicaid by adding certain food and nutrition services as covered benefits. If passed and signed by President Trump, this would formally recognize some food-related health services for older Americans and people with disabilities under federal law.
Key Facts
The bill is called H.R. 8391 and was introduced by Representative Raul Ruiz from California.
It proposes adding "food and nutrition services" to Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services will decide which food and nutrition services qualify for coverage.
Medicare would pay 80% of the cost for these services, similar to other outpatient services.
The changes would start 180 days after the bill becomes law.
This is the first time Medicare would officially cover food as a health benefit beyond limited cases like hospital tube feeding.
Medicaid would be required to provide these food and nutrition services rather than making them optional.
Supporters say better nutrition coverage could help prevent worsening health and reduce long-term costs related to chronic illnesses.
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FBI Director Kash Patel had a loud argument with a reporter after being questioned about how well he is doing his job. The questions came after The Atlantic published a story that said Patel drank too much alcohol in public while leading the FBI.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the FBI Director.
A reporter asked Patel about his job performance.
Patel and the reporter shouted during the conversation.
The Atlantic published an article about Patel’s alcohol use.
The article said Patel drank to the point of being obviously drunk.
The alleged incidents happened while Patel was leading the FBI.
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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress amid investigations and ethics charges. Some Democrats regret voting to expel Rep. George Santos and are cautious about quickly removing other members like Rep. Cory Mills before thorough investigations and trials are complete.
Key Facts
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned before the House Ethics Committee could recommend sanctions against her for misusing COVID funds and other charges.
Cherfilus-McCormick denies wrongdoing and complained about not having a fair process to defend herself.
Rep. George Santos was expelled from Congress after an Ethics Committee report on financial misconduct; he later pleaded guilty but was pardoned by President Trump.
Some Democrats regret voting to expel Santos and worry about setting a precedent of expelling members before their legal cases are settled.
Rep. Nancy Mace plans to push for the expulsion of Rep. Cory Mills, who faces allegations but denies wrongdoing and is under ethics investigation.
Several Democrats express concern about expelling members without complete due process, meaning proper legal procedures and trials.
The situation is causing debate within Congress about how and when to remove members accused of serious misconduct.
Some Democrats believe expulsion standards should be fair and apply equally to both parties.
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Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Florida resigned from Congress on Tuesday. Her resignation happened just before a House Ethics Committee meeting was set to discuss possible penalties related to campaign finance fraud allegations.
Key Facts
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a Democratic member of Congress from Florida.
She resigned on a Tuesday before an Ethics Committee hearing.
The House Ethics Committee was going to consider punishments for her.
The issue involved allegations of campaign finance fraud.
The hearing was about possible violations of rules on how campaign money is handled.
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A new contract reveals how President Donald Trump and his allies are raising $400 million to renovate the White House East Wing. The document shows the fundraising process, including how donations are collected, fees earned, and efforts to keep donor identities private.
Key Facts
The White House, National Park Service, and Trust for the National Mall signed a deal in October 2025 for the East Wing renovation fundraising.
The Trust receives a 2.5% fee on money raised, which lowers to 2% once donations exceed $200 million, potentially earning about $9 million.
Donor anonymity is guaranteed for those who choose it; so far, about three dozen donors are publicly named without disclosed donation amounts.
The White House finds potential donors and refers them to the Trust while noting their anonymity preferences.
Foreign donations are banned; donations over $25,000 require checks to ensure donors have no conflicts or lawsuits involving the Interior Department or National Park Service.
The fundraising started before the official contract, with early pledge forms not mentioning the East Wing but referring to the White House Ballroom.
Demolition of the East Wing began in October 2025 due to structural problems, allowing for expansion that includes a ballroom, offices, theater, kitchen, colonnade, and an underground bunker.
The Trust states it manages donations only and is not involved in the actual building work or design.
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Most Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, but men and women in Generation Z have different views on this issue. This difference reflects broader ideas Generation Z holds about life and their future.
Key Facts
A majority of Americans support legal abortion in all or most cases.
There is a clear gap between men and women on abortion opinions.
This gap is especially noticeable among people born between 1997 and 2012, known as Generation Z.
Generation Z’s views on abortion relate to their wider beliefs and goals.
The article focuses on the opinions and experiences of Gen Z men and women about reproductive rights.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 32 percent, the lowest in his current term, according to a recent poll by American Research Group Inc. His approval on the economy also fell to 31 percent, and this decline may affect the Republican Party’s performance in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 1,100 U.S. adults from April 16 to April 20, with a margin of error of 3 percent.
President Trump’s approval rating dropped from 34 percent last month and 36 percent in February to 32 percent in April.
His disapproval rating stands at 63 percent, with 5 percent undecided.
Approval on the economy fell to 31 percent, a new low in this term.
Trump’s lowest approval rating in his first term was 33 percent in August 2017.
White House spokesman emphasized Trump’s 2024 election win and ongoing efforts on jobs, inflation, and housing.
The decline in approval ratings may impact Republican chances in the 2026 midterm elections.
Similar trends were seen in other polls, including the AP-NORC poll released the same day.
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President Donald Trump has extended a ceasefire agreement with Iran. Following this, a planned trip by Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for in-person peace talks has been postponed.
Key Facts
President Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran.
The ceasefire is an agreement to stop fighting temporarily.
Vice President JD Vance was supposed to lead U.S. negotiators to Pakistan.
The trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, was scheduled for Tuesday.
The peace talks planned in Pakistan are now on hold.
A White House official confirmed the postponement after the ceasefire extension.
The peace talks involve in-person meetings with Iran.
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Hector Mujica, a former Google executive, was planning to run for a Florida Senate seat in a special election but has decided to drop out. Instead, he is now running for Florida’s 28th Congressional District as a Democrat.
Key Facts
Hector Mujica used to work at Google.
He initially aimed to win a Florida Senate seat left open by Senator Marco Rubio.
Mujica changed his plan and withdrew from the Senate race.
He is now running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 28th District.
Mujica is a member of the Democratic Party.
The election will take place in November.
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