Judge denies Justice Department request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in New York who presided over the sex trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein has rejected the government’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts. Wednesday’s ruling by Judge Richard Berman came after the judge presiding over the case against Epstein’s ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell also turned down the government’s request. Barring reversal on appeal, Berman’s decision forecloses the possibility of grand jury testimony being released given that other judges who received the same Justice Department request reached the same conclusions. The Justice Department declines to comment. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her conviction for helping Epstein sexually abuse girls and young women. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial.

Hurricane Erin picking up steam as it edges along the East Coast

RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Erin is strengthening again and forecasters say it could re-intensify into a major hurricane. The storm is creeping toward the mid-Atlantic coast and churning up menacing waves that have closed beaches from the Carolinas to New York City. It’s expected to peak over the next 48 hours. Erin is unlikely to make landfall along the East Coast before turning farther out to sea. But authorities are warning that its large swells will cut off roads on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and whip up life-threatening rip currents from Florida to New England. The National Hurricane Center is watching two more clusters of storms to the east of Erin.

Vance and Hegseth visit National Guard troops amid DC protests over Trump’s crackdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have visited National Guard troops at Union Station amid protests in Washington. On Wednesday, protesters chanted “free D.C.” in response to President Donald Trump’s crackdown in the capital. Vance thanked the troops and said they brought “law and order” back to the city. An estimated 1,900 troops are being deployed, mostly from Republican-led states. Earlier, an armored vehicle collided with a civilian car near the U.S. Capitol, injuring one person. Attorney General Pam Bondi said over 550 people have been arrested, with rewards offered for more information.

Man charged with killing ‘American Idol’ exec and husband will undergo mental evaluation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man accused of fatally shooting an “American Idol” music supervisor and her husband in Los Angeles will undergo a mental evaluation to determine if he’s fit to stand trial. A judge ruled Wednesday that 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian will be examined by a psychiatrist. Boodarian faces two counts of murder for the deaths of Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca, who investigators say were shot during a burglary on July 10. The judge will consider the evaluation to decide if Boodarian will proceed to trial or be placed in a state hospital. Boodarian’s attorney and the district attorney’s office have not commented.