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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court said Friday that it will hear a case related to California's ability to set its own, often strict, vehicle emissions standards that include curbs on greenhouse gases. Due to the size of the California market, the state’s regulations hold considerable sway over vehicle manufacturers. The Obama administration granted California a waiver to regulate greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions but the first Trump administration sought to change course. The most recent EPA waiver, in 2022, prompted 17 Republican states led by Ohio and the business groups to sue. In court papers, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar pointed out that manufacturers are already meeting the state's standards.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Obama, Trump, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Prelogar Organizations: federal, Air, EPA, Republican, The U.S, Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit Locations: California, Ohio, The

The exotic dancer who once accused three Duke University lacrosse of raping her admitted this week that she invented the 2006 allegations that set off a combustible national conversation about gender, race and class. Mangum and another dancer had been hired to perform at party, thrown by Duke lacrosse players, on March 13, 2006. She claimed that players raped her in blockbuster allegations that touched on hot-button topics such as sex work, race and class. The 46-year-old said she was "searching for validation" when she made up those lies and now hopes the former Duke players can someday accept her apology. Evans, Seligmann and Finnerty did not immediately return telephone and email messages seeking comment on Friday.

Persons: Crystal Mangum, David Evans, Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann, podcaster Kate Katerena's, Kat, Mangum, Mike Nifong, Dave Evans, Reginald Daye, She's, Evans, Seligmann, Finnerty Organizations: Duke University, Duke, North Carolina Correctional Institution, Women Locations: Durham County, North Carolina

DAMASCUS, Syria — Cockroaches crawled out of the walls near a dirty, stained sink in the Syrian prison cell where an ex-prisoner told NBC News that American journalist Austin Tice was once held. Sahar al-Ahmad said he was in the cell across from Tice and last saw him alive in July 2022. Relatives rushed to jails, military installations and even black sites to search for detained loved ones as soon as the regime fell. Ted Turner / NBC NewsAhmad, an activist and citizen journalist, said that he was arrested for filming anti-regime demonstrations and that Tice appeared to be in “somewhat good” condition in 2022. A torn photo of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad lies on the floor after the prison was hastily evacuated.

Persons: Austin Tice, Sahar, Ahmad, Tice, “, ” Ahmad, Ted Turner, Relatives, Hayat Tahrir, Bashar al, Assad, Syria’s, blindfolds, Marc Tice, Lester Holt, ”, Assad’s, “ We’re, ” Debra Tice, Obeida Al Organizations: NBC News, Syrian, Intelligence, NBC, Intelligence Directorate, Ahmad, Austin Locations: DAMASCUS, Syria, Damascus, Turkish, Sousa, Istanbul, Houston, Dubai, Austin

☆ McKinsey & Co. to pay $650 million to settle U.S. opioid consulting probe, ex-partner will plead guilty to obstruction
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | Dan Mangan | Dan Mangan Is A Reporter Covering Politics For Cnbc.Com. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

McKinsey & Company agreed to pay $650 million in a deferred prosecution agreement that will resolve a federal criminal probe into the company’s consulting work advising Purdue Pharma on how to increase sales of its opioid painkiller OxyContin, a court filing said Friday. A former top partner at McKinsey, Martin Elling, also agreed to plead guilty to obstruction of justice next month in the probe by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to a filing in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia. The criminal charging document that McKinsey agreed to have filed by prosecutors alleges the consulting giant “knowingly and intentionally” conspired with Purdue Pharma “and others to aid and abet the misbranding of prescription drugs.”The document also said McKinsey is accused, through the acts of its then-partner Elling, of “knowingly destroying and concealing records and documents with the intent” to impede the investigation by the Department of Justice. McKinsey, which previously agreed to pay almost $1 billion to settle lawsuits by states, local governments and others related to its opioid consulting, accepted responsibility for the conduct alleged by federal prosecutors, according to the deferred prosecution agreement. CNBC has requested comment from McKinsey.

Persons: Martin Elling, ”, Elling, “ Organizations: McKinsey & Company, Purdue Pharma, McKinsey, U.S . Department of Justice, Purdue Pharma “, Department of Justice, CNBC Locations: Abingdon , Virginia

Daniel Penny, the man who was found not guilty in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, will be the personal guest of Vice President-elect JD Vance at the Army-Navy game on Saturday. Vance and Penny will watch the game from Trump's suite at the Washington Commanders Stadium in Landover, Maryland, at 3 p.m. NOTUS, a publication of the Allbritton Journalism Institute, first reported Penny's plan to attend the game. Penny, a former Marine, was acquitted Monday in the New York chokehold case, with a jury finding him not guilty of criminally negligent homicide. The case divided many people along political and racial lines, as Penny is white and Neely was Black.

Persons: Daniel Penny, Jordan Neely, JD Vance, Vance, Penny, I’m, Neely, Juan Alberto Vazquez, NBC's, ” Vazquez, ’, Black Organizations: Army - Navy, Washington, Allbritton Journalism Institute, NBC's New Locations: Landover , Maryland, York, NBC's New York, Spanish

☆ Suspect arrested and one wanted over home invasion shooting that killed a man and paralyzed his mother
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

One of two suspects has been arrested in connection with a home invasion in Pennsylvania earlier this month that left a 25-year-old man dead and his mother paralyzed after being shot multiple times. Lower Merion Police first received a call about a home invasion shooting around 2:20 a.m. on Dec. 8. Detectives searched through Department of Transportation records and matched the vehicle to a resident on Sansom Street in Philadelphia. That car was later found also on Sansom Street. A second degree murder arrest warrant was obtained for Fulforth on Dec. 11 and he was arrested apprehended Thursday morning.

Persons: Charles Fulforth, Kelvin Roberts, Andrew Gaudio, Bernadette Gaudio, Bernadette, Siri, Kevin R, Steele, ” Steele, Gaudio, Sansom, Roberts, Fulforth, Samson, Roberts ’, It's Organizations: Attorney’s, Lower, Lower Merion Police, Hyundai, of Transportation, ”, Fulforth, NBC Philadelphia Locations: Pennsylvania, Jenkintown, Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Philadelphia, Lower Merion, Merion, Willow Grove, Junkluggers

☆ U.S. airman in Japan is sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Brian Cheng | Brian Cheng Is An Intern On Nbc News'S Asia Desk. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A U.S. airman stationed in Japan was sentenced to five years in prison Friday after being convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor. U.S. service members in Japan, which hosts more than 50,000 American troops, have been involved in a series of sexual assault and other criminal cases dating back decades. The 18th Wing, the host unit at Kadena Air Base, said it worked closely with local authorities throughout the case. “Sexual assault is reprehensible, and we share the local community’s outrage over this case,” it said in a statement Friday. “All U.S. service members are expected to always uphold the highest standards of conduct.”Brig.

Persons: Brennon, Prosecutors, Judge Tetsuro Sato, Washington, Washington “, Brig, Nicholas Evans, “, ” Organizations: U.S, Kadena Air Base, Kyodo, Wing, U.S . Alliance Locations: Japan, Okinawa, Naha, Washington, Gen, U.S

As President Joe Biden makes a final push to confirm judicial nominees before his term in office ends, he is on track to have appointed more federal judges of color than any president before him. If Cheeks is approved, Biden will have appointed 63 Black federal judges, the most of a presidency of any length, according to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Both Obama and Bill Clinton each appointed 62 Black judges over the course of their two terms. Senate Democrats vowed to confirm as many Biden nominees as possible before Trump takes office in January and Republicans take control of the Senate. They’ve confirmed dozens since Election Day, but these circuit nominees are in limbo amid some opposition from Democrats as well as GOP senators.

Persons: Joe Biden, Tiffany Johnson, Benjamin Cheeks, Serena Raquel Murillo, Cheeks, Biden, Ben LaBolt, ” “, Lena Zwarensteyn, they’ve, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Jimmy Carter, Obama, Bill Clinton, Trump, They’ve, Chuck Schumer, Biden’s, ”, Marge Baker, “, ” Baker, Abdullah Mangi, Julia M, Karla M, Campbell of, Ryan Young, There’s, ” Biden, He’s, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, ” “ Biden, Black, Dedrick Asante, Muhammad, Elliot Mincberg, ” Zwarensteyn, “ He’s Organizations: Senate, Northern, Northern District of Georgia, NBC News, U.S, Committee, Leadership Conference, Civil, Human, White House, People, Circuit, 1st, 6th, of, 4th Circuit, White, Supreme, Joint Center, Political, Economic Studies Locations: Northern District, New Jersey, Maine, Campbell of Tennessee, of North Carolina, Washington

☆ The next steps in Luigi Mangione’s case and why his most serious charge is only second-degree murder
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Investigators say they have mounting evidence against Luigi Mangione, 26, connecting him to the assassination of Brian Thompson on December 4. Mangione was denied bail on Tuesday and is fighting his extradition to New York, where he faces five charges, including second-degree murder, in Thompson’s killing. If convicted of second-degree murder, Mangione faces at least 15 years to life in prison, while a first-degree murder charge carries a minimum of 20 years to life in prison. A second-degree murder charge – but not first-degree murder – allows the defendant an “affirmative defense,” which is essentially a “Yes, but” argument to lessen the seriousness of the charge to first-degree manslaughter, according to Shapiro. Mangione’s arrest is only the first piece of the case against him, according to Ken Corey, former NYPD chief of department.

Persons: Luigi Mangione, Brian Thompson, Jessica Tisch, Mangione, ”, Joseph Kenny, David Shapiro, John Jay, ” Shapiro, Thompson, It’s, Thomas Dickey, Luigi Mangione’s, ’, premeditation, Shapiro, what’s, “, ’ ”, he’s, Elie Honig, Honig, Shannon Stapleton, Kathy Hochul, Josh Shapiro “, …, Peter Weeks, Karen Agnifilo, Agnifilo, he’ll, Ken Corey, ” Corey, ” Agnifilo, “ there’s, ” CNN’s Dalia Faheid, Michelle Watson, John Miller, Dakin Andone Organizations: CNN, New York Police, New, John, John Jay College of Criminal, American Law Institute, NYPD, Mangione, Police, United Healthcare, Reuters, New York Gov, Manhattan, Attorney’s Locations: Manhattan, Pennsylvania, America, New York, New York City, ” Blair County, York

☆ UK economy shrinks for second month, contracting 0.1% in October
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Chloe Taylor | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Bank of England in the City of London on 6th November 2024 in London, United Kingdom. The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the primary central business district CBD of London. The City of London is widely referred to simply as the City is also colloquially known as the Square Mile. Gross Domestic Product fell by an estimated 0.1% on a monthly basis, the ONS said Friday, with officials attributing the downturn to a decline in production output. It marked the country's second consecutive economic downturn, following a 0.1% GDP decline in September.

Persons: Mike Kemp, Sterling, Rachel Reeves Organizations: of England, Getty, Britain's, National Statistics, Gross, Reuters, U.S, Finance Locations: City of London, London, United Kingdom, The City, U.K, Real

☆ Duke lacrosse accusations: Crystal Mangum, who accused three players of rape, now says she lied about the encounter
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Karina Tsui | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Crystal Mangum, the former exotic dancer who accused three Duke men’s lacrosse players of rape in 2006, igniting a national firestorm, now says she lied about the encounter. “I made up a story that wasn’t true because I wanted validation from people and not from God,” Mangum said. Mangum’s admission comes nearly two decades after she said she was raped by former players David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann. According to the Duke student newspaper, Duke Athletics declined to comment. Duke University and the three players reached an undisclosed settlement shortly after the charges were dropped.

Persons: Crystal Mangum, Duke men’s, “, ” Mangum, Kat, ”, Katerena DePasquale, Mangum, David Evans, Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann, Chuck Burton, Reade, There’s, Mike Pressler, Roy Cooper Organizations: CNN, Duke, North Carolina Correctional Institution, Women, Duke Athletics, Duke University, Inquiry Locations: Durham

CNN —President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to pardon US Capitol rioters on Day One, but one month before Inauguration Day it’s not clear who among the hundreds of convicted rioters, defendants awaiting trial and remaining fugitives would receive clemency. In a Time Magazine interview conducted last month and published Thursday, the president-elect said he would look at rioters’ cases individually. Some judges in Washington, DC, have also been publicly critical of Trump’s attempts to whitewash the riot’s causes and violence. One major question has been where a line might be drawn among the Capitol riot defendants who would be eligible for Trump’s clemency, and what would qualify as violent versus non-violent actions. One judge, Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, made pointed comments in a hearing for a Capitol riot defendant two weeks after this year’s election.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, “ I’m, “, CNN they’ve, –, Royce Lamberth, Reagan, Lamberth, Martin Luther King Jr, ” Trump, Joseph McBride, ” McBride, Joe Biden’s, Hunter, they’ve, “ I’ve, it’s, Court haven’t, Carl Nichols, that’s, ” Nichols, Jacob Joseph Lang, Nichols, There’s, Stewart Rhodes, Enrique Tarrio, Nayib Hassan, Tarrio hasn’t, Joseph Biggs, Rhodes, Stewart, ” Rhodes, James Lee Bright, Bright, ” Bright, “ He’s, ” CNN’s Marshall Cohen, Curt Devine, Casey Gannon Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Trump, Justice Department, Justice, NBC News, DC, Court, Boys Locations: Washington ,, wasn’t

The McKinsey & Company logo is displayed at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, on June 21, 2023. McKinsey & Company agreed to pay $650 million in a deferred prosecution agreement that will resolve a federal criminal probe into the company's consulting work advising Purdue Pharma on how to increase sales of its opioid painkiller OxyContin, a court filing said Friday. The criminal charging document that McKinsey agreed to have filed by prosecutors alleges the consulting giant "knowingly and intentionally" conspired with Purdue Pharma "and others to aid and abet the misbranding of prescription drugs." As part of the deal, McKinsey will not work on any marketing, sale, promotion of distribution of controlled substances. "We should have appreciated the harm opioids were causing in our society and we should not have undertaken sales and marketing work for Purdue Pharma," the firm said.

Persons: Martin Elling, Elling Organizations: McKinsey & Company, Paris, Purdue Pharma, McKinsey, U.S . Department of Justice, Department of Justice, CNBC, DOJ, Department of Health, Human Services Locations: Le Bourget, Paris, France, Abingdon , Virginia

☆ Brennon R. E. Washington: US serviceman sentenced to 5 years for kidnapping and raping Japanese schoolgirl, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Karina Tsui | Yumi Asada | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A US serviceman was sentenced to five years in prison for kidnapping and raping an underage girl last year, an official from Naha District Court on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa told CNN. “The girl’s testimony that she told her age by gestures and other means is sufficiently credible from the security camera footage,” the judge said. The US military handed the 25-year-old serviceman over to Japanese authorities on the same day. It could exacerbate tensions with residents who have long opposed the presence of American troops and weaponry on the island. In another crime involving US personnel in Japan, a US Navy officer killed two Japanese nationals while driving down Mount Fuji in 2021.

Persons: Judge Tetsuro Sato, ”, “, Brennon, Nicholas Evans, Denny Tamaki, Alvin G, Nelson III, ” Nelson, CNN’s Edward Szekeres, Himari, Rinka Tonsho, Lex Harvey Organizations: CNN, NHK, US Air Force, US, ” Air Force, Kadena Air Base, US Navy, Mount, Okinawa Gov, Washington, Kadena Locations: Naha District Court, Okinawa, Naha, . Washington, Kadena, Gen, curfews, Japan

☆ Luigi Mangione retains high-powered New York attorney as he faces second-degree murder charge
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Kaitlan Collins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Luigi Mangione has retained a high-powered New York attorney to represent him as he faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, CNN has learned. “She’s got as much experience as any human being, especially in the state court,” one longtime New York prosecutor told CNN. As of Friday, however, there were indications Mangione “may waive” his extradition next week, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Pennsylvania state Judge Dave Consiglio denied Mangione bail on Tuesday related to both state dockets, saying he would remain at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution. Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing December 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

Persons: Luigi Mangione, Brian Thompson, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Friedman Agnifilo, Cyrus Vance Jr, “ She’s, ”, “, ” Friedman Agnifilo, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Dave Consiglio, Mangione, Jeff Swensen, Thomas Dickey, Kathy Hochul, Josh Shapiro “, …, Peter Weeks, Dickey, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Attorney’s, Attorney, Correctional Institution, New York Gov, Pennsylvania, NYPD Locations: New York, Manhattan, Midtown Manhattan, Mangione, Pennsylvania, Huntingdon, Blair, Hollidaysburg , Pennsylvania, Baltimore, ” Blair County, Altoona

☆ Crystal Mangum, who accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006, says she lied
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-13 | by ( Jenna West | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Crystal Mangum, a woman who accused three Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006, publicly said for the first time that she lied about the allegations. “I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t, and that was wrong,” Mangum said on an episode of the podcast “Let’s Talk with Kat” released this week. It caused the cancellation of the lacrosse team’s 2006 season, and Duke forced coach Mike Pressler to resign. The North Carolina attorney general’s office reviewed the case and declared Evans, Finnerty and Seligmann innocent in 2007. Also in 2007, Evans, Finnerty and Seligmann reached an undisclosed settlement with Duke for the school’s handling of the allegations.

Persons: Crystal Mangum, “, ” Mangum, Kat ”, Mangum, Kat DePasquale, Duke, David Evans, Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann, Mike Pressler, Evans, Finnerty, Mike Nifong, Seligmann, Chuck Liddy Organizations: Duke, North Carolina Correctional Institution, Women, North, Raleigh News, Observer, Tribune, Service, Getty Locations: North Carolina

Within a day of their $25 billion merger’s falling apart in court, Kroger and Albertsons were each planning to move forward with share repurchases to boost their stock prices and reward investors. America’s two largest grocery store operators had argued that they’d be better able to lower prices for shoppers by joining forces. On Wednesday, Albertsons terminated the deal and sued Kroger, alleging its erstwhile partner didn’t do enough to secure regulators’ blessing. The drama unfolded just as the federal government released new inflation data for November showing grocery prices continue to inch higher. Wall Street investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, Vanguard, BlackRock and billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate are the top owners of Kroger shares.

Persons: they’d, Biden, Adrienne Nelson, ”, Kroger, didn’t, Warren Buffett’s, Neil Saunders, ’ ”, Albertsons ’, Seth Harris, Thomas Gremillion, Trump, ” Gremillion, Donald Trump’s, Andrew Ferguson, Lina Khan, Harris, “ Bacon Organizations: Kroger, Albertsons, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, Federal Trade Commission, Wednesday, ”, The Vanguard Group, Wall, Cerberus Capital Management, Vanguard, BlackRock, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, “, Biden, Northeastern University, Biden White, Consumer Federation of America, New York Stock Exchange Locations: Oregon, Seattle, BlackRock, Kittanning , Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON — A group of House Republicans representing high-tax states is demanding an increase to the federal deduction for state and local taxes, also known as “SALT,” in order to support an extension of President-elect Donald Trump's tax law next year. The battle centers on the $10,000 limit on deductions for state and local taxes, which Republicans established in a 2017 tax cut bill. You guys can do the math on that one,” Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., a proponent of a bigger SALT deduction, told NBC News. Because an expiration of [the 2017 tax law] would completely eliminate [the cap on] SALT,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., a member of the tax-writing Ways & Means Committee, said in an interview. “I think it would be fiscally irresponsible not to have a SALT cap,” said Tillis, who represents a state where taxpayers don’t use the deduction as much.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Donald Trump's, Nick LaLota, it’s, Nicole Malliotakis, ”, Thomas Massie, Sen, Thom Tillis, Tillis, Trump, he'd, “, I’m, Josh Hawley, Richard Neal, chuckled, “ I’m, ” Neal Organizations: House Republicans, GOP, ”, NBC News, Republicans, Finance, Senate Locations: New York , New Jersey, California

All saw their federal sentences commuted by President Joe Biden on Thursday in the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. Many of those who received pardons had long ago completed their sentences but the crime will now be wiped from their record. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2014 before Biden commuted his sentence. The $26 million scheme involved billing Medicare for services that were never provided and efforts to bypass the government’s probe. Lovett was given a ten-year prison sentence and ordered by the U.S. District judge in the case to pay more than $9 million in restitution.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Janell Harris, Jimmy Dimora, Dimora, Frank Russo, Anthony Le, Malcolm Hartzog, Barack Obama, Hartzog, Paul Daugerdas, Elaine Lovett, Lovett, Shaquan Hemingway, Hemingway Organizations: Biden, Prosecutors, Forbes, U.S, District, Jalisco New Locations: Detroit, Connecticut, Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Las Vegas, Canada, Alabama, Illinois, United States, Wayne County , Michigan, Carolina, Jalisco, Mexico

Country music star Morgan Wallen was in court Thursday when he pleaded guilty to throwing a chair from a six-story rooftop bar in Nashville earlier this year. He was arrested in April after the incident at fellow country singer Eric Church's bar, Chief's, in Nashville's popular Broadway district. An arrest affidavit said the chair Wallen threw landed about 3 feet (1 meter) from officers, who talked to witnesses and reviewed security footage. Witnesses told officers that they watched Wallen pick up a chair, throw it over the roof and laugh about it. I never will make an excuse,” Wallen told Billboard in an interview two years after the controversy that nearly derailed his career.

Persons: Morgan Wallen, Wallen, Eric Church's, I’m, ”, “, I’ve, ” Wallen Organizations: Broadway, CMA, Tennessee, Billboard Locations: Nashville, Chief’s

☆ Top U.S. liquor distributor favored Costco, Kroger, other chains over small businesses: FTC
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-12 | by ( Dan Mangan | Dan Mangan Is A Reporter Covering Politics For Cnbc.Com. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Trade Commission in a new lawsuit accuses the largest U.S. distributor of wine and spirits of illegal price discrimination that gave large chains — among them Costco, Kroger and Total Wine & More — much better prices than those offered to neighborhood grocery stores, convenience shops and independent liquor stores. The distributor, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, is the tenth largest privately held company in the United States, generating about $26 billion in revenues from sales to retail customers in 2023, the FTC said Thursday in announcing the suit. The suit alleges the distributor violated the Robinson-Patman Act by providing “steep discounts” without any market justification to a certain set of retailers. “When local businesses get squeezed because of unfair pricing practices that favor large chains, Americans see fewer choices and pay higher prices — and communities suffer,” said FTC Chair Lina Khan in a statement. “The law says that businesses of all sizes should be able to compete on a level playing field,” Khan said.

Persons: Robinson, ”, Lina Khan, ” Khan, Pernod Ricard, Silver Tequila, Jim Beam Bourbon, Mark Whiskey Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, U.S, Costco, Kroger, Southern, “ Enforcers, CNBC, Central, Central District of, Jameson, Bacardi U.S.A, Bacardi, Diageo, Smirnoff, Beam Suntory Locations: United States, Southern, U.S, Central District, Central District of California

WASHINGTON — The FBI failed to take the "basic step" of canvassing its field offices for intelligence ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to a long-awaited Justice Department's inspector general report released Thursday. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate told investigators that the lack of a canvas was a "basic step that was missed" and that he would have expected it to have occurred, the inspector general's office said. The inspector general did find that the FBI "recognized the potential for violence" and took "significant and appropriate steps" even though the FBI played "only a supporting role in preparing for and responding to" the events of Jan. 6. A total of 13 confidential human sources entered the restricted area around the Capitol, the IG report said, while the remaining 9 never entered the Capitol or restricted area. Smith is still expected to issue a written report on his investigation.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Paul Abbate, Donald Trump, Trump, Jack Smith, Smith Organizations: FBI, U.S . Capitol, Capitol, Attorney's, District of Columbia, Violence, NBC Locations: Washington, U.S

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bipartisan bill backed by the federal judiciary that would create dozens of new judgeships despite President Joe Biden's pledge to veto it. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, of Massachusetts, sent a note before the vote Thursday urging colleagues to vote against the bill. The bill passed the House on a 236-173 vote Thursday, with 29 Democrats voting in favor and two Republicans voting against. “At that time, Democrats supported the bill — they thought Kamala Harris would win the presidency,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement. Biden threatened to veto the legislation on Tuesday, with the White House saying it was "unnecessary to the efficient and effective administration of justice."

Persons: WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Katherine Clark, ”, “, Kamala Harris, Mike Johnson, Harris, judgeships, Biden Organizations: House Democratic, Trump Administration, Biden, Harris Administration, Trump Locations: Massachusetts, judgeships

The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked a state law prohibiting transition-related health care for minors. “Fortunately, the Montana Supreme Court understands the danger of the state interfering with critical healthcare,” Kell Olson, an attorney for Lambda Legal, said in a statement. The law also prohibits Medicaid from covering such treatments for trans minors. In upholding the injunction, Montana Supreme Court Justice Beth Baker wrote in the majority opinion that the Legislature “did not make gender-affirming care unlawful,” nor “did it make the treatments unlawful for all minors,” as minors can still receive the treatments for other reasons. The U.S. Supreme Court took up such restrictions for the first time last week, when it heard arguments over a similar law in Tennessee.

Persons: Jason Marks, “, ” Kell Olson, ” Chase Scheuer, Austin Knudsen, ” “, Montanans, ” Scheuer, Marks, ”, Beth Baker, ” Baker Organizations: Montana Supreme, American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda, Lambda Legal, Montana Attorney, Republican, dysphoria, Associated Press, Movement Advancement, Montana, State, Zooey, Montana’s, U.S, Supreme Locations: Montana, Missoula County, Montana’s, ” Montana, Tennessee

WASHINGTON — A Republican former House member and three current members of Congress from Utah invited a Jan. 6 defendant to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, according to a letter filed by the defendant's lawyer. Jan. 6 defendant Russell Taylor organized a group of “fighters” to travel to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, in response to Trump’s tweet telling supporters the day "will be wild." Russell Taylor, right, makes an obscene gesture, obscured by NBC News, at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. On Jan. 6, 2021, after the Capitol attack, Taylor wrote in a message that he "was pushing through traitors all day today." In the interview, Trump said members of Congress who served on the House Jan. 6 committee "should go to jail."

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Donald Trump's, Jan, Russell Taylor, ”, Taylor, Dyke, Huish, Royce Lamberth, Russell, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Chris Stewart, Stewart, Mr, They're, I've, District of Columbia Stewart, Russ ’, WE, Lamberth, He's, Trump Organizations: Republican, Washington , D.C, Capitol, U.S, District, NBC News, Getty, Politico, Trump, District of Columbia, Patriots, Press, Washington Locations: Utah, Washington ,, Washington, Congress

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