Chief Justice John Roberts praised programs that protect judges in his annual year-end report, citing the security threats faced by Supreme Court justices in the wake of the controversial May abortion decision. He also praised the legacy of Judge Davies, who was the subject of protests after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, and noted that two of his liberal colleagues have said the court needs to be concerned about overturning precedent and appearing political. Roberts concluded his report by saying, “We must support judges by ensuring their safety.”
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Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell revealed at a press conference that a rookie NYPD officer suffered a fractured skull while patrolling on his first day. FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. praised the officer's actions and stated that there were no credible threats to New Yorkers. The suspect, who had posted jihadist writings online, was known to law enforcement agencies but did not have a criminal record.
California was hit with a powerful storm on New Year's Day, bringing drenching rain and heavy snowfall to much of the state. More than 4 feet of snow had accumulated in the Sierra Nevada, while San Francisco experienced its second-wettest day on record. Despite the storm, the weather cleared up in time for the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena.
The National Weather Service reported that more than 235,000 homes, businesses and other power customers in California and Nevada had been left in the dark due to the severe weather. High winds caused numerous power outages and heavy rainfall and snowfall caused flooding, water rescues, and disabled vehicles. US Highway 101 and Interstate 80 were partially closed due to multiple spinouts, and residents were advised to avoid travel due to the hazardous conditions. The severe weather is a relief for drought-stricken California, bringing 4 feet of snow to the high Sierra Nevada and 5.46 inches of rain to downtown San Francisco.
Julia Misley, 65, has filed a lawsuit against Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler alleging sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit claims that Tyler used his status and power to groom and exploit Misley over a period of three years, leading to her becoming pregnant in 1975 and being coerced into having an abortion. It also alleges that Tyler included Misley's name in the acknowledgements of his autobiography, leading to her being confronted with a picture of her own face on a tabloid cover.
A powerful storm system is bringing flooding, landslides, and heavy rains and snow to California, with the National Weather Service issuing a warning for the upper elevations of the Sierra from south of Yosemite National Park to north of Lake Tahoe. The Susan River is forecast to rise significantly, potentially affecting homes, roads, and bridges, while Sacramento fire officials plan to broadcast evacuation announcements from a helicopter and a boat. Humboldt County, which was hit by an earthquake last week, is also seeing roadways beginning to flood, with a bridge potentially closing again if the Eel River gets too high.
MGM Resorts International has donated a portion of its land in Las Vegas to Clark County to house the permanent memorial honoring the victims and heroes of the 1 October shooting. The sale, which was finalized on Friday, does not include the plot of land where the memorial is slated to go.
Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was questioned by a congressional panel about her involvement in spreading false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. In her deposition, she admitted she had no evidence of widespread fraud and was relying on "news reports" and "friends on the ground". When asked if she would have changed her position if she had known two years ago that Trump's campaign lawyers were aware there was no truth to the fraud claims, Thomas replied, "I don't know". She also confirmed her "best friend" was her husband, but objected to questions premised on the idea that she considers the election "stolen". Thomas stated she worried there was fraud and irregularities that distorted the election, but it wasn't uncovered in time, resulting in President Biden.