Thursday, August 15, 2024

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1/ Trump asked the judge overseeing his election interference trial involving falsified business records to postpone his sentencing until after the presidential election in November, arguing that the Sept. 18 sentencing date advances what he claims is “naked election-interference objectives.” Judge Juan Merchan already delayed Trump’s sentencing once, at Trump’s request, following the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity. Trump’s request for a delay comes one day after Merchan declined – for the third time – to recuse himself from the case and criticized Trump and his defense lawyers for raising “inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims.” In denying Trump’s motion, Judge Juan Merchan wrote, “this court now reiterates for the third time, that which should already be clear – innuendo and mischaracterization do not a conflict create.” Trump was found guilty by a jury on May 30 on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to Michael Cohen’s $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels to avert a sex scandal before the 2016 U.S. election. Trump faces up to four years in prison. (ABC News / CNN / The Hill / Politico / New York Times / Associated Press / Reuters / Politico / CNN)

2/ The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the Republican Legislature can refer to fetuses as “unborn human beings” in the informational pamphlet sent to voters to help inform their choice on an abortion rights ballot measure to enshrine abortion access to the state constitution. The secretary of state’s office, however, said “unborn human being” would not appear on the ballot itself. (Associated Press / KJZZ / Axios)

3/ The Biden administration will save Americans $6 billion as a result of the first Medicare drug price negotiations. The new prices take effect in 2026, and the discounts range between 38% and 79% on the medication’s list price for the 10 drugs selected in initial round of negotiations. Those who are enrolled in Medicare Part D will save around $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs. (Associated Press / CBS News / Politico / Bloomberg / Washington Post)

4/ The Consumer ...

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