Prison guard who helped beat cuffed NY inmate to death pleads guilty to manslaughter

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A corrections officer has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal beating of a handcuffed inmate at an upstate New York prison in December. The attack on Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility was caught on video by guards’ body cameras, sparked public outrage and led to charges against 13 people. Thirty-six-year-old officer Christopher Walrath, who was one of six guards charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree manslaughter during a hearing in Utica. The plea deal calls for Walrath to get a 15-year prison term. The special prosecutor says Brooks transferred to the prison that day and that guards beat him to “welcome” him.

States sue Trump administration for blocking the development of wind energy

(AP) — A coalition of state attorneys general has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s attempt to stop the development of wind energy. Attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., are challenging an executive order Trump signed his first day in office. It paused approvals, permits and loans for all onshore and offshore wind energy projects. They say Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally shut down the permitting process and he’s jeopardizing development of a critical power source. Monday’s lawsuit asks a federal judge to stop federal agencies from implementing Trump’s order. The White House says Democratic attorneys general are trying to stop the president’s popular energy agenda instead of working with him to restore America’s energy dominance.

Army pausing helicopter flights near Washington airport after close calls

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army is pausing flights near a Washington airport after two commercial planes had to abort landings last week because of an Army Black Hawk helicopter that was flying to the Pentagon. The commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion directed the unit to pause flight operations around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following Thursday’s close calls, two Army officials confirmed to The Associated Press. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not publicly announced. The unit is continuing to fly in the greater Washington, D.C., region. It comes after 67 people died in January when a passenger jet collided with a Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan airport.

Boat believed to be carrying migrants capsizes off Calif. coast, leaving 3 dead

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Officials say a small boat believed to be carrying migrants capsized off San Diego’s Pacific coast, leaving three people dead, four injured and nine others missing. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey says it was unclear where the boat was coming from before it flipped about 35 miles north of the Mexico border. He described the boat as a panga. Pangas are open boats designed for fishing but commonly used by smugglers. Coast Guard crews were searching near Torrey Pines State Beach.ger jet collided with a Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan airport.