Christa Pike is in critical condition after Tennessee’s failed execution attempt, her lawyers say
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys for Christa Pike say the death row inmate is still alive but in critical condition a day after the state's failed attempt to execute her for the 1995 murder of a woman. The state tried to execute Pike by lethal injection on Wednesday but neither the initial nor backup dose of pentobarbital killed her. Pike was still snoring when the execution chamber’s microphone was cut off more than an hour into the attempt, and she was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Her lawyers said Thursday that she is still being treated, but they didn't know details about how she's faring. Tennessee's Republican governor, Bill Lee, called what transpired “deeply disturbing” and has ordered an independent review.
What to know about Christa Pike and her failed lethal injection execution attempt in Tennessee
Christa Pike is still alive following a lethal injection execution attempt in Tennessee. The 50-year-old woman remains in critical condition. Her execution was initially halted by a federal appeals court, but the Supreme Court later allowed it to proceed after an eight hour delay. Witnesses say Pike was still breathing and making snoring noises for over an hour after the execution started. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has ordered an independent investigation into the incident. Pike's lawyers argue her medical conditions made the execution method torturous and are calling for her sentence to be commuted.
Hurricane Rachel strengthens to a Category 3 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Rachel has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm, located about 235 miles off the southern tip of Baja California, is slowly continuing westward and expected to strengthen on Friday before weakening this weekend. Rachel’s swells are expected to generate life-threatening surf off Mexico’s coast, the NHC warned. Northern Mexico and parts of the U.S. Southwest are still dealing with flooding and damage from Hurricane Polo remnants earlier this week.
In-flight attack on FlyDubai pilot puts aviation security measures under fresh scrutiny
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has some of the world's most stringent aviation security measures. The United Arab Emirates takes pride in its reputation as a safe place to fly. Yet neither country’s safeguards prevented a commercial flight from Dubai, UAE, to Tel Aviv, Israel, taking a dangerous plunge on Wednesday while the copilot allegedly stabbed the captain. Passengers intervened to stop the attack. Authorities have not identified the object used in the stabbing or said whether it was carried onto the plane. Aviation safety experts say investigators will want to know about FlyDubai's pilot vetting and preflight screening procedures. They also will try to determine if colleagues previously reported concerns about the copilot and, if so, how the airline responded.
New York's governor removes DA in Cornell rape allegations, appoints AG Letitia James to take over
ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s governor has appointed a special prosecutor to oversee an investigation into a woman’s allegations that she was gang raped at a Cornell University fraternity house, saying she had lost faith in the local district attorney’s ability to handle the case. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday she has signed an executive order appointing the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James as the special prosecutor. Hochul said the attorney general would oversee the investigation and, if warranted, present evidence to a grand jury.
Asian shares mixed after global bond sell-off deepens and ahead of US jobs data
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares are mixed after a global bond sell-off deepened. Oil prices have declined even as the U.S. sends another aircraft carrier and more troops to the Middle East. U.S. futures have edged up ahead of a monthly jobs report due later Friday. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has eased after rising to around 5.34% on Thursday, the highest since 2002. Rising bond yields have been putting downward pressures on stock markets, as higher borrowing costs can undercut stock returns. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 added 0.2% Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose less than 0.1%.
Iowa lawmakers to vote on raising tax incentive cap for a $15B steel plant
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are set to return to the Statehouse Friday to consider expanding state tax incentives. Officials say the change is needed to secure a $15 billion steel plant project for the state. President Donald Trump announced the plant on Monday. He called it a major economic and national security investment. The project is planned for Iowa's southeast corner, but the exact location is undisclosed. The state needs to modify its economic development program to compete for the project. While the plant promises jobs and growth, experts say it also presents risks to the local rural communities.
Trump administration says it has no plans for ICE officers at polls. Activists are preparing, anyway
WASHINGTON (AP) — As midterm elections approach, some voters are worried about immigration enforcement officers at polling places. Department of Homeland Security officials say they don't plan to send officers en masse to patrol the polls. They dismissed concerns as “fear-mongering.” Election law experts say federal law bars the government from deploying armed troops, agents or officers to election sites except to “repel armed enemies of the United States.” Organizations representing Latino, Black and Asian American voters are concerned about the rhetoric and ICE's activity. They worry that any ICE activity near polling places could deter voters already on edge over immigration enforcement.
Judge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence
BOSTON (AP) — The judge in the Lindsay Clancy murder case has denied a defense motion to find her not guilty due to a lack of evidence. On Tuesday, Clancy's attorney Kevin Reddington tried to persuade Judge William Sullivan that prosecutors had not offered any proof that Clancy had killed her three children. The trial ended in a mistrial. Prosecutors argued there was plenty of evidence, calling Reddington's claim “laughable.” During that trial, Reddington didn’t dispute that Clancy killed the children at the family’s home in 2023. Instead, the defense sought to persuade the jury that the 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse was not criminally responsible because of mental disease, a rare condition called postpartum psychosis.
Federal report says pilots weren't warned about wind before Amazon cargo plane crashed in Miami
An air traffic controller failed to warn pilots of an Amazon cargo plane about the potential for strong tail winds before it crashed in Miami, killing five people. The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report Thursday. The controller had given a wind advisory to another flight just minutes earlier but did not inform the Amazon pilots. The plane landed too fast and overshot the runway, hitting a van and killing five people inside. The two pilots suffered minor injuries. After the crash, Amazon suspended its partnership with 21 Air, which operated the plane.
