Daily Briefing: 41 charges against 19 defendants
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A Georgia grand jury indicted 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump and several allies on conspiracy charges of trying to steal Georgia's electoral votes from President Joe Biden after the 2020 election. Also in the news: Officials said the blaze that overtook Lahaina was thought to be extinguished before it returned to raze the Maui town, and the Jonas Brothers are back for The Tour.
🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Here's what to expect in McDonald's new "As Featured In Meal."
Now, here we go with Tuesday's news.
Donald Trump and others indicted by Georgia grand jury
The fourth indictment to face former President Donald Trump brings 41 charges against 19 defendants, and accuses Trump and allies of a coordinated plan to have state officials essentially spike Joe Biden's victory and award the state to Trump.
Now Trump and the others named in the 98-page indictment have until noon on Friday, Aug. 25, to voluntarily surrender.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis launched her investigation of Trump in February 2021. Willis said Trump had opportunities to legally challenge the election's results, but chose instead to pursue a criminal scheme that was counter to Georgia's process she called "essential to the functioning of our Democracy."
The legal case revolves mostly around the state's RICO statute, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which penalizes activities of individuals engaging in organized crime.
The Trump campaign condemned the charges as politically motivated. "Call it election interference or election manipulation," said a campaign statement.
More: Read the 41-count alleged election fraud indictment against Donald Trump and others.
Hawaii governor says Maui fire death toll could double or triple
The death toll from the Lahaina fire could double or even triple from the current total of 99, according to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, adding to what is already the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Officials have confirmed 99 deaths in the blaze so far and indicated the number of fatalities is likely to increase. The likely source of the inferno that destroyed the historic Lahaina town may have been that a blaze authorities “deemed to be out” roared to back to life, Green said in a video posted on social media. He said a comprehensive review will be conducted in the wake of frustrations that sirens and other warnings did not reach or alert residents to the fires. Read more
Maui ''is not for sale'': Survivors say developers want to buy land where their homes once stood.
Tropical Storm Greg shapes up south of Hawaii as Maui fire recovery efforts continue.
More news to know now
On August 15, 2021, Afghanistan's capital fell to the Taliban.
A heat wave is scorching the Pacific Northwest and breaking record high temperatures.
Democratic presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. walked back support on a federal abortion ban.
The FDA recalled some tests for pregnancy, ovulation and urinary tract infections.
On today's 5 Things podcast, Former President Donald Trump has been indicted in Georgia. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.
What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
In first-of-its-kind Montana climate trial, judge rules for youth activists
A Montana judge on Monday sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. The ruling in the first-of-its-kind trial in the U.S. adds to a small number of legal decisions around the world that have established a government duty to protect citizens from climate change. Attorneys for the 16 plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22, presented evidence during the two-week trial in June that increasing carbon dioxide emissions are harming the young people’s physical and mental health, according to experts brought in by the plaintiffs. Read more
Podcast: USA TODAY breaks down how the judge found Montana's policy on fossil fuel permits unconstitutional.
Earth sees warmest July in 174 years. What does that mean for the rest of year?
Why haven't summer's extreme heat waves caused any blackouts? Renewable energy is helping.
Student loan debt forgiveness begins for 800,000 borrowers
A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit from two conservative groups seeking to block student loan forgiveness for more than 800,000 borrowers. Judge Thomas L. Ludington dismissed conservative groups' case that argued the federal government lacks the authority to forgive the debt and was working on an accelerated schedule "to evade judicial review." Ludington rejected a request that the forgiveness be temporarily blocked and said the groups did not show that they would be harmed by the plan. Soon after the judge's order was posted Monday, the Education Department said loan forgiveness for the borrowers in question had begun and will affect people in every state. Read more
With affirmative action gone, Biden administration offers tips for colleges on diversity.
A 21-year-old woman has died after falling 300 feet at Rocky Mountain National Park.
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''I wish we could play one more time'': Michigan camp for grieving kids brings sobs and healing.
How a refugee went from living in his Toyota to amassing a high-end car collection.
What does Georgia spend on ''Kirby Copter'' for coach's recruiting? It's not cheap.
The summer heat takes a toll on your car battery: Here's how to extend its lifespan.
These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here.
This Supreme Court case could change how disabled Americans book hotel rooms
Millions of Americans living with a disability rely on hotels to make note of accommodations like ramps and roll-in showers on their reservation websites, disclosures that are required by a 2010 federal regulation. Advocates fear a Supreme Court case this year could undermine the requirement, making it harder to punish hoteliers who defy or overlook it. At issue for the Supreme Court is whether self-styled "testers" who scrutinize hotel booking websites for a lack of information about accommodations may sue those hotels in federal court – even if they have no intention of ever staying there. Read more
Quick hits
Clarence Avant, ''The Black Godfather'' of music, has died at 92.
Peek inside this retired couple's semitrailer that's been turned into a permanent home.
Here are 10 of the most exciting product launches this summer (so far).
Watch this dramatic, high-stakes rescue of a humpback whale as it speeds through the ocean.
''Sound of Freedom'' director Alejandro Monteverde addressed controversies about the film.
Thinking of consignment selling? Here's how to maximize your time and money.
Photo of the day: Jonas Brothers are back for The Tour
The Jonas Brothers are on the road again for their The Tour, kicking off with the first of two consecutive, sold-out hometown shows at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The New Jersey natives are chronicling five of their studio albums as the marathon beginning to their tour, supporting their latest LP, "The Album." Read more
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.
Associated Press contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Georgia indictment, Maui fire, Montana climate trial, student loan forgiveness, Jonas Brothers: Daily Briefing
