NEWS OF THE DAY
From Across the Nation
1 Childhood shots: Pharmacists in all 50 states are now allowed to give childhood vaccinations under a new directive announced Wednesday aimed at preventing future outbreaks of measles and other preventable diseases. Alex Azar, head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, took the step using emergency powers he has during the coronavirus epidemic. The Atlantabased Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that childhood vaccines from doctors’ offices plummeted in late March and early April as their offices closed or saw fewer patients, raising concerns that vaccination rates would fall.
2 Flint settlement: Multiple news outlets report that the state of Michigan has reached a $600 million agreement to compensate Flint residents whose health was damaged by leadtainted drinking water after the city heeded state regulators’ advice not to treat it properly, it was reported Wednesday. Details will be released later this week, according to reports by The Detroit News, MLive.com and WXYZTV. The offices of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have been negotiating for more than 18 months with attorneys for thousands of Flint residents who have filed lawsuits against the state.
3 Russia probe: A former FBI lawyer pleaded guilty Wednesday to altering a document related to the secret surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser during the Russia investigation. Kevin Clinesmith is the first current or former official to be charged in a special Justice Department review of the investigation into ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Clinesmith pleaded guilty to a single false statement charge, admitting that he doctored an email that the FBI relied on as it sought court approval to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page in 2017.
4 “Lottery lawyer”: A New York attorney who branded himself the “Lottery Lawyer” has been charged with swindling millions of dollars from jackpot winners in a conspiracy that federal prosecutors say involved a member of the Genovese crime family. An indictment unsealed this week charges the attorney, Jason “Jay” Kurland, with conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say Kurland’s clients lost more than $80 million in the scheme. One of the victims won the $1.5 billion Mega Millions lottery, authorities said, while another had hauled in a $245 million Powerball jackpot. Kurland pleaded not guilty and was released on $1 million bond. His defense attorney declined to comment on the indictment. 5 Murder plot: The son of the owner of a St. Louisarea soul food restaurant that was the setting for the reality show “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” has been charged in a murderforhire plot that resulted in the death of his nephew. James Timothy Norman, 41, was arrested Tuesday in the 2016 murder of his nephew Andre Montgomery, who was gunned down in St. Louis. Norman, 41, is the son of Sweetie Pie’s owner Robbie Montgomery. He faces a federal charge of conspiring to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murderforhire.