Defense seeks to block videos of Charlie Kirk’s killing in murder case, claims bias

(AP) — Defense attorneys for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk are trying to block Utah prosecutors from introducing graphic videos of the shooting. They also want a judge to oust cameras from the courtroom to shield prospective jurors from bias. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations, and Kirk’s widow urged state District Judge Tony Graf to keep the proceedings open to the public. But legal experts say the defense team’s worries are real. They say media coverage in high-profile cases can have a “biasing effect” on potential jurors. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for defendant Tyler Robinson, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk.

Clintons finalize agreement to testify in House Epstein probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have finalized an agreement with House Republicans to testify this month in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. They bowed to the threat of a contempt of Congress vote against them. Hillary Clinton will testify before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 26. Bill Clinton will appear on Feb. 27. It will mark the first time that lawmakers have compelled a former president to testify. The arrangement comes after months of negotiating between the two sides as Republicans sought to make the Clintons a focal point in a House committee’s investigation into Epstein.

NASA delays astronauts’ lunar trip until March after hydrogen leaks mar fueling test

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s long-awaited moonshot with astronauts is off until at least March because of leaking hydrogen fuel. The space agency announced the news Tuesday following a critical fueling test of its giant moon rocket in Florida. Hydrogen seeped from the base of the rocket during Monday’s dress rehearsal, which went into overtime Tuesday because of all the problems. Officials say the delay will allow the launch team to conduct another practice countdown before committing four astronauts to humanity’s first moonshot in more than half a century. With their launch now off until at least March 6, the three Americans and one Canadian can now emerge from quarantine.

House lawmaker raises new concerns over FDA’s ultra-fast drug review program

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic lawmaker is raising new concerns about a Food and Drug Administration program designed to drastically shorten the review of certain drugs. The initiative by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary promises ultra-fast reviews for drugs that align with “national priorities.” But the effort has become a flashpoint for controversy outside and inside the agency. Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts sent a letter Tuesday questioning the legal underpinning of the program and asserting that the agency isn’t following federal disclosure requirements. Specifically, Auchincloss says the agency has failed to file financial disclosure forms for eight senior FDA officials involved in the program.