NEWS OF THE DAY
From Across the Nation
Jail takeover: The Justice Department on Monday asked a federal court to appoint a third party to operate the longtroubled New Orleans jail, saying the detention center had failed to improve conditions that endanger inmates. Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman has struggled to comply with reform requirements called for in a 2012 agreement he entered with the Justice Department and lawyers for inmates. Inmates were moved to a new facility in September, but a courtappointed monitor says violence continues to be a problem. A recent inmate suicide also brought renewed attention to the jail’s troubles.
Bulger case: A woman who spent 16 years on the run with Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger faces sentencing this week for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating whether other people helped Bulger as a fugitive. Catherine Greig already is serving an eight-year prison term for helping Bulger avoid capture. She pleaded guilty to a criminal contempt charge in February for refusing to testify. Greig is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Thursday. The contempt charge has no fixed maximum penalty. Bulger fled Boston in late 1994 and remained a fugitive until he and Greig were captured in Santa Monica in 2011. Bulger was sentenced to life in prison for playing a role in 11 slayings.
Severe weather: Forecasters say a severe weather outbreak is possible Tuesday, with powerful, long-track tornadoes and enormous hail predicted in some central and southern Plains states. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said the most dangerous weather is expected in a 55,000-square-mile area stretching from northern Oklahoma to southern Nebraska, including Oklahoma City. Forecasters say that area could see powerful winds, tornadoes and hail as large as baseballs on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Dead whales: A dead whale has washed up at a popular Orange County surf spot, and a boat captain says he saw another whale carcass off shore. The first whale was found Sunday at Lower Trestles just south of San Clemente. Todd Mansur, who captains a whale watching boat, said he expects the second whale to wash up at San Clemente State Beach in the next few days. Each carcass is estimated at more than 40 feet long. Mansur says he inspected both whales and saw no signs of marks from ships, propeller wounds or entanglements. Children handcuffed: A Tennessee police chief has apologized after his officers arrested 10 elementary school students. Murfreesboro Police Chief Karl Durr told the Tennessean that he’s “sorry this incident happened” and that it could have been avoided. Angry parents demanded action during a community meeting after the arrests occurred at Hobgood Elementary School and other locations on April 15. Some students were handcuffed, but it was unclear how many. Durr said an internal review of the incident is ongoing. He said the arrests were connected to a bullying and assault incident.