NEWS OF THE DAY
1 Execution probe: Arkansas, which had rebuffed fears about its use of a controversial lethal injection drug, faced scrutiny Friday about how well the medicine had worked during the state’s fourth execution in seven days. Kenneth Williams, a convicted murderer, died Thursday night. A news media witness reported that Williams briefly experienced “coughing, convulsing, lurching, jerking” after the state began to administer midazolam, the first of its three lethal injection drugs. A spokesman for Gov. Asa Hutchinson said authorities believed Williams’ movements amounted to “involuntary muscular reaction.” A lawyer for Williams, Shawn Nolan, on Friday requested a formal inquiry.
2 Vaccine shortage: Americans who need a yellow fever shot for travel may soon have a harder time getting it. A manufacturing problem has created a shortage of the only version of the vaccine licensed in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said Friday that doses could run out as early as next month. Officials are bringing in another vaccine that’s used in other countries, but it will be available at only about 250 of the 4,000 U.S. clinics that give the shot. The $141 vaccine is recommended for travelers to certain areas in South America and Africa, and about 20 countries require proof of vaccination for entry.
3 Abortion opponent: The White House said Friday that President Trump is appointing the former president of a leading antiabortion organization to a senior position at the Department of Health and Human Services. Charmaine Yoest will serve as assistant secretary of public affairs at HHS. From 2008 until February 2016, she was president of Americans United for Life, which campaigned at the federal and state level for tough restrictions on abortion.
4 Gun control: A group of California gun owners filed a legal challenge Friday in Fresno against the state’s new ban on large-capacity magazines. The federal lawsuit seeks to overturn the ban on owning magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Seven individuals and four civil rights organizations are suing California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Newly adopted laws also require Californians to give up high-capacity magazines by July 1. San Francisco attorney George Lee represents the gun owners. He said the ban violates their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
5 Bush health: Former President George H.W. Bush was released from a Houston hospital Friday where he received treatment for a mild case of pneumonia and chronic bronchitis during a twoweek stay. Bush spokesman Jim McGrath said the 92-year-old was “pleased to be home.” Bush was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital on April 14 for treatment of a persistent cough. Doctors determined he had pneumonia. After the pneumonia was treated, Bush remained hospitalized with chronic bronchitis. Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, was hospitalized for 16 days in January with pneumonia.
Chronicle News Services