AP National News

Transphobia, hostility about protesters in private cop group

By CLAUDIA LAUER and THALIA BEATY - Associated Press

In a private Facebook group called the Pittsburgh Area Police Breakroom, many current and retired officers spent the year criticizing chiefs who took a knee or officers who marched with Black Lives Matter protesters, whom they called “terrorists,” “racist” or “thugs.” Posts from the group were shared with The Associated Press, showing some of the 2,200 members including police officers, chiefs and retired law enforcement officials made regular transphobic bullying or violent posts, and bullied members who supported anti-police brutality protesters or Joe Biden in a forum billed as a place officers can “decompress, rant, share ideas.”

Man charged in NJ slaying, questioned in 4 New Mexico deaths

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN and DAVID PORTER - Associated Press

A man considered a person of interest in the deaths of his ex-wife and three other people in New Mexico has been charged with a separate killing in New Jersey. Authorities in Gloucester County say they have charged 47-year-old Sean Lannon with murder, robbery and other offenses in the death of 66-year-old Michael Dabkowski in Dabkowski’s East Greenwich home on Monday. Lannon was arrested in St. Louis on Wednesday morning. He is a person of interest in the deaths of his ex-wife and three men whose bodies were found last week in a vehicle at the Albuquerque International Sunport airport garage. It was not clear on Wednesday if Lannon had an attorney. 

The Latest: Arkansas Gov: end of mask mandate at month’s end

By The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday that he believes his proposal to remove a mask mandate intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus will take place as planned at the end of the month. On CNN’s ‘State of the Union,’ Hutchinson said goals he announced in February to lift the mask mandate, which include a…

The Latest: UNLV now plans in-person spring graduation

By The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is changing course and now plans in-person spring graduation ceremonies in May as the coronavirus outbreak slows. UNLV President Keith Whitfield on Friday announced the change from plans announced in February to hold graduation virtually. Whitfield said in a letter to students and staff that he firmly believes the university “can…

The Latest: LA mayor criticizes state over vaccination rules

By The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says a lot of pandemic deaths could have been prevented in California if the state had focused earlier on vaccinating people in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Garcetti also said Friday the federal and state governments haven’t given local officials like him enough freedom to inoculate who they feel are most at risk….