The Hitchhiker's Guide to where we stand to avoid a government shutdown

Hundreds gathered at Minnesota's Capitol for a vigil honoring former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed at their home. The event featured music, emotional tributes, and a memorial with flowers and photos, while the suspected shooter, Vance Boelter, faces charges for their deaths and an attack on another lawmaker and his wife. Need More Context? 🔎

A Missouri judge has ordered St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company to pay over $43 million to Ryan Ferguson, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and imprisoned for nearly a decade. Ferguson's conviction was vacated in 2013, and after a prolonged legal battle, a jury sided with him, with part of the award also benefiting the involved police officers. Need More Context? 🔎

In a significant shift, the Justice Department's recent legal opinion allows for the potential revocation or downsizing of National Monuments, including those commemorating civil rights history like the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. With proposed budget cuts threatening over 300 park sites, advocates warn that this could erase critical historical narratives and hinder efforts to learn from past injustices. Need More Context? 🔎

US President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks whether to involve the US in the Iran-Israel conflict, emphasizing the priority of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran's deputy foreign minister warned that US involvement would exacerbate the situation, while diplomatic efforts continue amid ongoing military actions in the region. Need More Context? 🔎

Newly released bodycam footage features a woman claiming to be a DoorDash driver who saw murder suspect Bryan Kohberger shortly before the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. The video, recorded during an unrelated incident, captures her stating she delivered food at the victims' residence just before the murders occurred, with Kohberger's trial scheduled for August 2024. Need More Context? 🔎

A man named Trenton Abston, 25, has been charged with stalking, attempted kidnapping, and aggravated criminal trespass after allegedly approaching Memphis Mayor Paul Young's home with suspicious items, including a taser and duct tape. Mayor Young highlighted the increasing threats against public officials, linking online rhetoric to real-life violence, especially following recent politically motivated attacks in Minnesota. Need More Context? 🔎