NEWS OF THE DAY
_1 Transgender service members: The military’s policy permitting transgender individuals to serve remains in place, the country’s highest military officer said Thursday, clarifying some of the confusion surrounding President Trump’s tweeted announcement that transgender people will no longer be accepted or allowed in the military. In a letter to the military service chiefs, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the policy on who is allowed to serve will not change until the White House sends the Defense Department a rules change and the secretary of defense issues new guidelines.
_2 Texas execution: A Texas prisoner was executed Thursday evening for killing a San Antonio woman after breaking into her apartment more than 13 years ago. TaiChin Preyor, 46, was put to death after his attorneys failed to convince courts that he had deficient legal help during earlier stages of his appeals and that he deserved a reprieve so his case could be reviewed more fairly. He was convicted in the February 2004 slaying of 24-year-old Jami Tackett, who court records identified as his drug supplier. She was stabbed and her throat was cut.
_3 Religious freedom ambassador: President Trump will nominate Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to serve as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. If confirmed by the Senate, he’ll run the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom. Brownback is a former U.S. senator and representative. Officials in Kansas expect Brownback to step down when he’s confirmed.
_4 Spending bill: The House passed a $788 billion spending bill Thursday that complies with President Trump’s demands to boost the military, reduce clean energy programs and start funding a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill, passed 235-192, would fund the Departments of Defense, Energy and Veterans Affairs, the legislative branch and Army Corps of Engineers in fiscal 2018. GOP leaders added $1.6 billion in border wall funding to win backing of House conservatives. The bill, HR 3219, has little chance of passing the Senate in its current form. Senate Democrats, whose votes would be needed for passage, intend to block it. _5 Officer killed: Authorities say an Indiana police officer died after being shot multiple times while responding to a traffic crash on the south side of Indianapolis. Police said says the slain officer, Lt. Aaron Allen, had nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience. Sgt. Kendale Adams of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Allen was responding to a crash where someone was trapped Thursday when he was shot. Adams said two other officers at the scene returned fire, striking a person inside the vehicle. He said that person and a second person injured in the crash were hospitalized and in custody with non-lifethreatening injuries.