Maine lawmakers approve shield law for providers of abortion

(AP) — The Democratic-controlled Maine Legislature has approved a bill that would protect health care workers who provide abortion and gender-affirming care from legal action brought in other states. If signed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, Maine would join more than a dozen states that shield medical providers and others from out-of-state investigations regarding abortions. Republican were united against the bill. Abortion is legal in Maine at all stages of pregnancy with a doctor’s approval.

Tenn. governor signs bill requiring local officers to aid US immigration authorities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to communicate with federal immigration authorities if they discover people are in the country illegally. The bill signed by the Republican would also broadly mandate cooperation in the process of identifying, detaining and deporting them. Proponents have argued that Tennessee law enforcement agencies should assist more in immigration enforcement. But immigrant advocates have warned that the bill is broad and confusing and could embolden rogue officers to target immigrant families.

‘HELP’ sign on beach points rescuers to men stuck nine days on remote atoll

(AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard says three men stranded on an uninhabited Pacific atoll survived for over a week before being rescued. The fishermen got in trouble after their boat hit a coral reef and took on water. They spelled out “HELP” with palm fronds on a beach, enabling Coast Guard and Navy aviators to pinpoint them on the remote island 1,800 miles east of the Philippines. The planes dropped rescue kits and a radio the men used to report they were thirsty but all right. A Coast Guard ship reunited them with their families Tuesday, nine days after they set out from home.

Biden administration announces another round of loan cancellation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is canceling student loans for another 206,000 borrowers as part of a new repayment plan that offers a faster route to forgiveness. The Education Department announced the latest round of cancellations on Friday. More people are becoming eligible for student loan cancellation as they hit 10 years of payments, a new finish line for some loans that’s a decade sooner than what borrowers faced in the past. Casting a shadow over the cancellations are two new lawsuits challenging whether the Biden administration has authority to speed up cancellation.

Ford is under investigation for Bronco Sport gas leaks

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. is investigating a Ford recall for gasoline leaks from fuel injector cracks that can cause engine fires, saying that the remedy doesn’t fix the leaks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted Friday that the probe will evaluate the adequacy and safety consequences of Ford’s recall. It covers nearly 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs with 1.5-liter engines. Ford’s remedy for the leaks is installation of a drain tube to send the gas away from hot surfaces, and a software update to detect a pressure drop in the fuel injection system.