The Loma fire rages on the Santa Cruz Mountains beyond the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday. The fire has scorched more than 1,000 acres as more residents were ordered from their homes in remote communities. LOMA FIRE FORCES EVAC
CHARLOTTE PROTESTERS DEMAND RESIGNATIONS
The national TV networks have packed their bags and moved on, but this city is still struggling for normalcy a week after a police officer fatally shot Keith Lamont Scott following a brief but tense standoff.
Protesters overwhelmed an emotionally charged Charlotte City Council meeting Monday, chanting “No justice, no peace” and demanding the resignations of Mayor Jennifer Roberts and Police Chief Kerr Putney.
More than 50 people stepped to the podium to express anger over the death of the 43-year-old African-American husband and father, and the city’s response to days of sometimes angry and violent demonstrations that followed. The packed audience held signs reading “Black Lives Matter” and the names of residents killed by police officers.
— WCNC-TV OBAMA NOMINATES AMBASSADOR TO CUBA
President Obama on Tuesday nominated the first U.S. ambassador to Cuba in more than 55 years, setting up a battle with Republicans in Congress who oppose renewed relations with the communist island.
Obama picked Jeffrey DeLau- rentis, who already is the chief diplomat in Havana, a job he has held since 2014. Now that diplomatic relations have been re-established, DeLaurentis can be promoted to full ambassador. The new post requires confirmation by the Republican-controlled Senate, which could produce a partisan battle.
Cuban-American Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas, both Republicans, tried to limit funding for the U.S. Embassy in Havana and said they would oppose any ambassador named by Obama. — Alan Gomez HOUSTON LAWYER NAMED AS SHOOTER IN RAMPAGE
Police found two semiautomatic weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition but no firm reason why a Porsche-driving lawyer went on a shooting rampage in southwest Houston that concluded with his own death.
Investigators on Tuesday identified the shooter as Nathan DeSai and were trying to determine what prompted the spree that paralyzed several city blocks for hours Monday. Six people were shot and three others suffered injuries from flying glass when DeSai, 46, opened fire on passing cars before being killed by officers, police said. — John Bacon