NEWS OF THE DAY
From Across the Nation
1 DACA case: The Supreme Court on Friday blocked for now a San Francisco judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to disclose all documents it considered in its decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation. By a 5-4 vote, the justices blocked an order by U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup requiring the government to turn over the documents. They had been due Dec. 22. More than a dozen states, the University of California and several immigrants are suing the administration over its decision to end the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. The Supreme Court stayed the judge’s order until the justices take further action. The justices who granted the stay did not make any additional statement, but set a Dec. 13 deadline for more briefs to be filed with the court. Justice Department spokesman Devin O’Malley said the department is “pleased” with the Supreme Court’s decision “putting on hold the district court’s overreach.”
2 Sexual harassment: Peter Martins, the influential leader of New York City Ballet for three decades, has taken a leave of absence pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. The company confirmed late Thursday that Martins, 71, had requested and was granted a temporary leave from both the company and the affiliated School of American Ballet pending an independent investigation. The probe, being conducted by a law firm, was launched after the company received an anonymous letter accusing Martins of past sexual harassment.
3 Assault allegation: Film director Bryan Singer has been accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy at a party more than a decade ago. The suit filed in Seattle claims Singer demanded sex from Cesar Sanchez-Guzman during a 2003 yacht party. After the then-teenager refused, the lawsuit says, Singer pushed him on the bed and sexually assaulted him. A representative said in a statement to the Associated Press on Friday that Singer “categorically denies these allegations.” Singer directed “Superman Returns” and several “X-Men” movies. He is the latest in a wave of sexual harassment and abuse allegations against powerful men in the entertainment industry, media and politics that began in October with accusations against Harvey Weinstein.
4 Lawmaker resigns: A former aide to Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., told the Associated Press the congressman repeatedly pressed her to carry his child, at one point offering her $5 million to act as a surrogate. The eight-term lawmaker from the Phoenix area abruptly resigned Friday, bowing to an ultimatum from Speaker Paul Ryan. Ryan told Franks that he would refer the allegations to the Ethics Committee, and urged him to step aside. The former staffer said Franks asked at least four times if she’d be willing to act as a surrogate in exchange for money. Franks, in announcing his resignation, said he and his wife have struggled with infertility. 5 Ex-priest sentenced: A Texas jury on Friday sentenced an 85-year-old former priest to life in prison for the 1960 killing of a schoolteacher and former beauty queen who was a member of the parish he served. The same jurors in Hidalgo County in found John Bernard Feit guilty of murder Thursday night. Prosecutors asked jurors Friday for a 57-year prison term — one year for each year he had walked free since killing Irene Garza after she went to him for confession at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen. The 25-year-old Garza disappeared April 16, 1960. Her bludgeoned body was found days later. An autopsy revealed she had been raped while unconscious, and beaten and suffocated. Feit denied he had killed her.