Trump Says He Might Have to Sell Properties to Pay $454 Million Penalty  —  The ex-president, who is appealing the penalty in his civil fraud case, offered a bond of only $100 million to pause the judgment.  —  Donald J. Trump offered a New York appeals court on Wednesday a bond …

McConnell will step down as the Senate Republican leader in November after a record run in the job  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history who maintained his power in the face of dramatic convulsions in the Republican Party for almost two decades …

Lauren Boebert's son was arrested over a spate of thefts as his mom tries to convince voters to look past her chaotic family life  — Lauren Boebert's son Tyler Boebert was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.  — He's facing 22 charges in connection with a series of crimes in Rifle, Colorado.

Michigan Primary Takeaways: ‘Uncommitted’ Makes Itself Heard  —  President Biden endured a protest vote, Donald Trump fended off Nikki Haley again, and both may face challenges with their party coalitions as they start to look toward November.  —  Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Donald J. Trump won …

How Panera Bread ducked California's new $20 minimum wage law  —  Billionaire Greg Flynn, who made his fortune running one of the world's largest restaurant franchise operations, is getting a new boost from sourdough loaves and brioche buns.  —  That's because a California law that's …

Smoking cannabis linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke  —  Smoking cannabis is associated with an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke, according to a new study.  —  The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found daily use of cannabis …

Exxon CEO blames public for failure to fix climate change  —  The world isn't on track to meet its climate goals — and it's the public's fault, a leading oil company CEO told journalists.  —  Exxon CEO Darren Woods told editors from Fortune that the world has “waited too long” …

Democrats Pass a N.Y. House Map That Modestly Benefits Them  —  Democrats in New York adopted a new congressional map on Wednesday, using their supermajorities in the State Legislature to draw district lines that would improve their chances of winning the House majority in November, but not drastically.

They're coming for birth control next  —  This free edition of PN is made possible by paid subscribers.  If you aren't one already, hit the button and sign up to support our independent journalism.  —  🧬 Subscribe to Public Notice 🧬  —  Earlier this month …

CDC advisory panel says people 65 and older should get a Covid spring booster shot  —  An expert panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines on Wednesday recommended that people 65 and older should get an additional Covid-19 vaccine shot this spring.

Man who assaulted officers with hockey stick on Jan. 6 sentenced to prison  —  A Michigan man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for assaulting law enforcement officers with a hockey stick during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.  —  District Judge Tanya Chutkan …

French Senate approves a bill to make abortion a constitutional right  —  France's Senate on Wednesday adopted a bill to enshrine a woman's right to an abortion in the constitution, clearing a key hurdle for legislation promised by President Emmanuel Macron in response to a rollback in abortion rights in the United States.

Witness calls out Sen. Kennedy in abortion hearing: ‘Nothing but fearmongering’  —  Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) gave a graphic description of an abortion procedure during a Senate hearing Wednesday, leading one witness to say his statements did not reflect her experience and were “nothing but fearmongering.”

Hunter Biden testifies that he never involved his father in business  —  President's son opens with a defiant statement accusing Republicans of “partisan house of cards” built on “lies”  —  Hunter Biden testified on Wednesday that he never involved his father, President Biden …

GOP Rep. Maria Salazar Takes Credit For Children's Hospital Funding She Opposed  —  “I am thrilled to have secured over $1.4 million to provide cutting-edge medicine to children,” said the Florida congresswoman, who voted against this money.  —  LOADING  —  Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) …

Biden to issue executive order aimed at protecting Americans' sensitive data from China and other ‘hostile countries’  —  The measure targets the business of selling people's personal information, which the White House said could be used “to track Americans (including military service members) …

The foreign policy establishment fails to see that the Middle East balance of power has shifted  —  Ryan Crocker is an experienced and knowledgeable American diplomat who specializes in the Middle East, having served as ambassador to Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Supreme Court May Torch Another Major Gun Reform  —  The conservative-tilted court appeared skeptical that anyone but Congress can ban bump stocks.  —  LOADING  —  When former President Donald Trump banned the gun components known as “bump stocks” in 2018, following a horrific mass shooting …

‘Star witness’ testifies his claims about Fani Willis were only ‘speculation’  —  ATLANTA — A lawyer billed as the “star witness” in the case to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis (D) testified Tuesday that it was mere “speculation” when he told a defense attorney …

Leaked Russian military files reveal criteria for nuclear strike  —  Doctrine for tactical nuclear weapons outlined in training scenarios for an invasion by China  —  Vladimir Putin's forces have rehearsed using tactical nuclear weapons at an early stage of conflict with a major world power …