JUSTICE DEPT. WANTS MORE WAYS TO DENY SANCTUARY CITIES
washington» The Justice Department is looking to use its control over coveted grant money to nudge so-called sanctuary cities into greater cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities, despite a judge’s ruling that blocked President Donald Trump’s effort to cut off millions of dollars to such communities. A judge in April struck down Trump’s executive order on the matter, saying the president has no authority to attach new conditions to grants that were approved by Congress. But in a memo issued Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department can put more stringent conditions on the money it doles out and “may seek to tailor grants to promote a lawful system of immigration.”
Five jurors picked for Cosby jury so far ● The panel
pittsburgh» that will decide Bill Cosby’s fate in his sex assault trial began to take shape Monday with the selection of three white men and two white women for the jury. The search for 12 jurors and six alternates got off to a brisk start. Experts believe lawyers on both sides will be considering race, gender, age, occupation and interests of potential jurors. The actor-comedian once known as America’s Dad for his portrayal of Dr. Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” is charged with drugging and molesting a Temple University women’s basketball team manager at his home in 2004. He calls their encounter consensual.
Court strikes down two N.C. congressional districts ●
washington» The Supreme Court struck down two congressional districts in North Carolina on Monday because race played too large a role in their creation, a decision voting rights advocates said would boost challenges in other states. The justices ruled that Republicans who controlled the legislature and governor’s office in 2011 placed too many African-Americans in the two districts. The result was to weaken African-American voting strength elsewhere in North Carolina.
Three lawsuits allege foot-dragging by Fox on harassment ●
new york» Three lawsuits filed Monday allege racial discrimination or sexual harassment at Fox News, deepening the network’s legal woes. The cases increase to 23 the number of past or present Fox employees represented by attorney Doug Wigdor, the majority alleging racial hostility by a since-fired financial executive. Fox said Monday that the lawsuits have no legal basis.
Man sickened by nacho cheese in botulism outbreak dies ●
sacramento, calif.» One of at least 10 people apparently sickened by nacho-cheese dip sold at a California gas station has died, health officials said Monday. The San Francisco County coroner’s office identified the victim as Martin Galindo-Larios Jr., 37. An online fundraising page that claimed to have been set up by his family said he was married and the father of two small children. California health officials say the illnesses appear caused by botulism carried in nacho-cheese dip sold at a gas station in Walnut Grove.