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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to stop Alabama from executing Joseph Clifton Smith, a man with intellectual disabilities convicted of murder. The Court allowed a lower court's decision to stand, which said executing him would be cruel and unusual punishment under the Constitution.
Key Facts
Joseph Clifton Smith was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
Smith has taken five IQ tests over nearly 40 years, with scores ranging from 72 to 78.
IQ scores below 70 generally indicate intellectual disability, but medical experts recommend considering other factors like social and practical skills.
Lower courts ruled that Smith is intellectually disabled after looking at his IQ, school records, and behavior.
The Supreme Court did not clearly explain how courts should decide on intellectual disability with conflicting IQ scores.
The justices voted 5-4, with four justices disagreeing and one calling to restore the death penalty for intellectually disabled people.
The ruling means Smith will spend life in prison instead of being executed.
The Court recognized the difficulty in setting clear rules for such cases and suggested handling them individually with expert input.
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Governor Gavin Newsom of California has changed his position and now supports taxpayer-funded paid pregnancy leave for public school and community college teachers. This new plan would offer up to 14 weeks of paid leave starting in the 2026-27 fiscal year, after many years of vetoing similar measures.
Key Facts
The proposal is included in Newsom's May budget revision.
It would provide up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave for TK-12 and community college employees.
Newsom opposed or vetoed similar paid leave bills during most of his time as governor.
Previous efforts to expand paid leave for teachers failed partly due to concerns over costs and budget priorities.
The new plan is estimated to cost around $220 million annually.
The state now has enough discretionary education funding to support the paid leave.
The bill includes leave for pregnancy, miscarriage, and termination of pregnancy (which covers elective abortions).
The proposal still needs approval from the state legislature as part of budget negotiations.
Women now make up nearly 50% of the California Legislature, which influenced the shift in support.
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President Donald Trump's Department of Justice announced a $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund aimed at providing compensation for people who claim they were unfairly targeted by previous government actions. Some lawmakers and two police officers from the January 6 Capitol riot have challenged the fund, arguing it is illegal and could support violent groups.
Key Facts
The DOJ announced a $1.776 billion fund called the Anti-Weaponization Fund to address claims of "lawfare" or unfair legal attacks.
The fund will be managed by a five-member commission, four appointed by the attorney general, with power to issue apologies and money payments.
The fund is part of a settlement where President Trump dropped a lawsuit against the IRS related to leaked tax returns.
Republican Brian Fitzpatrick and Democrat Jamie Raskin are among lawmakers challenging the fund.
Two police officers who were at the January 6 Capitol riot filed a lawsuit to block the fund, citing risks that it could help groups like the Proud Boys.
The officers argue the fund rewards violence and stops prosecution of past attacks.
The DOJ says previous administrations used law enforcement unfairly against conservatives, and this fund aims to correct those wrongs.
The legal and political debate raises questions about executive power and use of taxpayer money.
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A $72 billion funding deal for ICE and Border Patrol is delayed after Republican senators opposed President Donald Trump's $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund." The disagreement caused Senate and House votes to be postponed, putting the funding package in uncertainty.
Key Facts
The funding deal includes $72 billion for ICE and Border Patrol agencies.
President Trump proposed a $1.776 billion fund to prevent weapons misuse, called the "anti-weaponization fund."
Several Republican senators opposed this fund, disrupting the budget agreement.
Senators met with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for two hours but left without voting.
The House canceled its planned votes due to the Senate delay.
Senator Lisa Murkowski described the fund proposal as unexpected and disruptive.
Senator Ron Johnson called the situation a "galactic blunder."
Senator Bill Cassidy expressed doubts about the fund and recently lost his GOP primary amid President Trump's political actions.
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) released a detailed report reviewing their 2024 election campaign. The report criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for ignoring rural voters and not strongly challenging President Donald Trump. The DNC chair delayed the report’s release but apologized for the hold-up.
Key Facts
The DNC’s report is 192 pages long and reviews the 2024 presidential campaign.
It says Kamala Harris did not focus enough on rural America.
The report claims Harris did not attack President Trump strongly enough.
Ken Martin, the DNC chair, delayed releasing the report for months.
Martin faced pressure from Democrats who were unhappy with the delay.
He said the report was withheld because it was "not ready for primetime."
Martin apologized for how he handled the delay in releasing the report.
The report avoids discussing some controversial parts of the campaign.
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The Trump administration has changed federal student aid rules to let Pell Grants pay for short-term job training programs, not just college degrees. This change aims to help more Americans get quick, affordable training for jobs with good pay.
Key Facts
Pell Grants are federal financial aid for low-income students.
Previously, Pell Grants mainly covered two- and four-year college degrees.
Starting July 1, Pell Grants can be used for short-term programs as short as 8 weeks.
Eligible programs focus on high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs like welding, coding, healthcare, and technical fields.
Programs must show strong job placement rates and lead to recognized certificates or career paths.
This change helps people who want faster job training, including workers changing careers or recent high school graduates.
The goal is to reduce student debt and prepare people for the workforce more quickly.
The Department of Education and the Labor Department support this plan as a way to align funding with career-focused education.
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A neurosurgeon at University Hospital Wales was suspended for eight months for having a sexual relationship with a patient and prescribing strong painkillers without proper medical records. The doctor admitted to his mistakes and said he feared losing his job because the patient threatened to expose their relationship.
Key Facts
Chirag Patel, a neurosurgeon, treated a patient three times between 2019 and 2021.
After the first surgery in 2019, Patel and the patient had a sexual relationship lasting six months.
Patel continued prescribing opioids without recording it or informing the patient’s general doctor until January 2023.
The patient threatened to expose the relationship, which Patel said made him afraid of losing his job.
Patel referred himself to the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors in the UK.
The medical tribunal said Patel’s misconduct was serious and hurt patient safety.
Patel was the only doctor in Wales who could treat the patient’s specific condition.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board confirmed Patel was not currently working for them during the suspension.
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A recent poll shows that nearly 75% of Democratic voters now oppose U.S. military aid to Israel, a significant increase from three years ago. Many Democrats feel their party supports Israel too much, and most also oppose a potential U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
Key Facts
Almost three-quarters of Democratic voters oppose U.S. military aid to Israel.
This opposition rose from 45% three years ago to nearly 75% now.
About half of Democrats say their party is too supportive of Israel.
95% of Democratic voters oppose a U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
60% of Democrats sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis; just 15% feel the opposite.
Younger Democrats (ages 18-49) are more likely to have an unfavorable view of Israel than older voters.
Democratic leaders like House Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer still strongly support Israel.
President Donald Trump is a close ally of Israel and has supported military action against Iran.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Department of Justice’s new $1.776 billion fund, called the “anti-weaponization” fund. The fund is designed to help people who feel the government treated them unfairly by paying to settle their claims. Some lawmakers from both political parties have criticized this fund.
Key Facts
The fund is called the “anti-weaponization” fund.
It has a budget of $1.776 billion.
The purpose is to help people who claim the government wrongly targeted them.
The fund assists by paying money to settle these claims.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche supports and defends the fund.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed criticism of the fund.
The fund is managed by the Department of Justice.
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Some Democrats are unhappy with how the Democratic National Committee (DNC) managed a report analyzing why the party lost the 2024 presidential election. The DNC chair first wanted to keep the report private but later released it after pressure from party members.
Key Facts
The report is called an "autopsy" because it looks at what went wrong in the 2024 election.
Democratic Party leaders showed frustration about how the DNC handled this report.
Ken Martin is the current chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Martin originally planned to keep the report secret.
After criticism, Martin released the report on a Thursday.
David Hogg, a former DNC vice chair, was among those pushing for the report to be public.
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Gas prices in the United States have risen sharply to record levels amid ongoing conflict with Iran. Many Americans are concerned about the lasting impact of this overseas conflict on their economy and daily expenses.
Key Facts
Gas prices have reached historic highs in the U.S.
The price increase is linked to continued military conflict involving Iran.
The conflict was initially expected to last less than six weeks.
Many Americans are feeling the economic effects of the conflict.
The situation is causing worry about how long higher costs will continue.
The conflict is happening far from the U.S., but it is impacting domestic prices.
The economic fallout includes higher expenses for fuel and possibly other goods.
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Activist Zee Cohen-Sanchez plans to release a documentary claiming waste and fraud within Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative youth group. TPUSA has grown significantly after the death of its founder, Charlie Kirk, with increased donations and new chapters.
Key Facts
Zee Cohen-Sanchez is a liberal activist and founder of National Ground Game, a Democratic youth group.
She says her documentary will reveal alleged waste, fraud, and abuse at Turning Point USA.
Cohen-Sanchez aims to counter TPUSA’s influence on college campuses through voter registration and engagement.
TPUSA’s founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated on a college campus in September 2024.
After Kirk’s death, TPUSA quickly received over 32,000 requests to start new campus chapters.
The organization also gained many new followers and doubled its faith network within a month.
Fundraisers raised millions for the Kirk family, with donation options up to $10,000 available on TPUSA’s website.
TPUSA has not yet released full financial reports detailing how much money it raised after Kirk’s death.
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Senior civil servants in the UK government will receive bonuses for the first time as part of a new system to reward top performers. Most civil servants will get a 3.5% pay rise, while senior staff will get a 2.5% raise plus potential bonuses based on performance.
Key Facts
Senior civil servants will be eligible for bonuses for exceptional work, a new change in pay policy.
Most civil servants will receive a 3.5% pay increase this year.
Senior staff get a base raise of 2.5%, with 1% reserved for bonuses for the highest performers.
The bonus system aims to reward “doers, not talkers,” focusing on results rather than words.
The pay rise and bonuses are part of efforts to improve motivation and performance in the civil service.
The union for senior civil servants supports the changes but says pay progression for most other civil servants still needs improvement.
The government rejected a full 3.5% raise for senior staff to keep funds for bonuses.
The reform is part of wider government plans to save money and increase efficiency by 2030.
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Tennessee stopped the execution of death row inmate Tony Carruthers after officials spent an hour trying to find a vein to deliver lethal drugs. Carruthers showed signs of pain during the process, and the execution was called off.
Key Facts
The execution of Tony Carruthers in Tennessee was canceled.
Officials had trouble finding a vein to inject lethal drugs for about one hour.
Carruthers was seen wincing and groaning, indicating pain.
The information comes from Carruthers’ attorney, who witnessed the event.
Tennessee’s corrections department did not respond to requests for comment.
The case involves capital punishment in the state of Tennessee.
This news story is still developing and may have updates later.
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The US Supreme Court rejected Alabama’s request to challenge a ruling that Joseph Clifton Smith, a man on death row, is intellectually disabled and cannot be executed under the Constitution. The Court dismissed the case without a full review, leaving in place the lower court’s decision that blocked Smith’s execution.
Key Facts
Joseph Clifton Smith was convicted of a 1997 murder and is on death row in Alabama.
The lower court found Smith intellectually disabled and therefore ineligible for the death penalty under the US Constitution.
The Supreme Court dismissed Alabama’s petition to review the case without a full decision on the merits.
The main legal question involved how to interpret multiple IQ scores around the cutoff for intellectual disability.
Alabama’s rule bars executing people with an IQ of 70 or below and significant daily living skill deficits before age 18.
Smith’s IQ scores ranged from 72 to 78, with some uncertainty that could lower one score to 69.
Evidence included school records labeling Smith with mild intellectual disability and proof of difficulties in daily life skills.
The Supreme Court’s 2002 ruling states executing intellectually disabled people violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel punishment.
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Senate Republicans have stopped plans to vote on a budget package that would fund immigration enforcement with about $70 billion through 2029. This decision comes after strong disagreements within their group over President Donald Trump's idea to create a $1.8 billion fund to compensate his supporters.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans had planned to vote on a budget reconciliation package this week.
The package would provide around $70 billion to support immigration enforcement up to 2029.
There is a fierce disagreement among Senate Republicans about the package.
The dispute centers on President Trump's proposal for a $1.8 billion compensation fund.
The compensation fund would be for MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporters.
Due to the disagreement, Senate Republicans cancelled the planned vote.
The issue reflects divisions within the Republican Party over budget priorities and Trump-related spending.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is testifying before a House committee about President Trump’s budget request for 2027. This comes as airline prices are rising due to a shortage of jet fuel linked to the conflict involving Iran.
Key Facts
Sean Duffy is the Transportation Secretary.
He is speaking to a House Appropriations Committee panel.
The discussion focuses on President Trump’s 2027 budget request.
The budget request includes $26.6 billion for the Department of Transportation.
Airline prices are increasing because of a jet fuel shortage.
The fuel shortage is connected to the war involving Iran.
The White House is also planning for Federal Aviation Administration funding as part of the budget.
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Tennessee stopped the execution of Tony Carruthers after medical staff could not find a vein for the lethal injection despite trying for an hour. Carruthers was convicted of killing three people in 1994, but no physical evidence tied him to the crimes, and his conviction was based mostly on witness testimony.
Key Facts
Tony Carruthers’ execution was halted because officials could not find a suitable vein for the lethal injection.
Medical staff set up one IV line but could not place a required backup IV or a central line.
Carruthers showed signs of pain during attempts to find a vein.
Problems with finding veins have caused delayed or stopped executions in other states like Idaho and Alabama.
Carruthers was convicted of kidnapping and murdering three people in Memphis in 1994.
He represented himself at trial after complaints about his lawyers and threats against them.
His conviction was based mainly on testimony from people who said they heard him confess, including a paid informant.
A co-defendant previously sentenced to death was resentenced and released.
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A couple in California, Donald and Karen Whitaker, were found dead with injuries in their home on May 15. The deaths are linked to them sending money to someone pretending to be actor Tom Selleck.
Key Facts
The couple lived in Riverside County, California.
They were discovered dead by the local sheriff's department.
Their injuries were described as traumatic.
Their deaths followed financial transactions with a person pretending to be Tom Selleck.
The investigation is ongoing to learn more about the circumstances.
The incident highlights dangers of scams involving fake identities.
No further details about suspects or motives were provided in the report.
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Senate Republicans postponed a vote on a $72 billion immigration funding bill because of disagreements over a $1 billion Secret Service security fund and a new Justice Department fund to compensate people who say they were unfairly targeted by the government. The delay comes as lawmakers prepare to go on Memorial Day break and discussions continue about how to handle these controversial parts of the bill.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans delayed voting on a reconciliation bill to fund immigration agencies and security.
The bill includes $1 billion for Secret Service security, linked to renovations including a large White House ballroom.
The Justice Department proposed a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund to pay people claiming government unfair treatment.
Some Republican senators oppose the new Justice Department fund and the ballroom security funding.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Senate Republicans to discuss concerns about the fund.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed skepticism about the Justice Department fund.
House Republicans, including Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, also oppose parts of the bill and question its transparency and costs.
The Senate plans to adjourn for Memorial Day without voting, though President Trump wants the bill passed by June 1.
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