Trump administration to reportedly lift ban on baiting, killing wolves, hibernating bears in Alaska

WASHINGTON -- Hunters venturing into national preserves in Alaska will soon be able to bait hibernating bears from dens with doughnuts and other treats to kill them and other controversial practices under a five-year-old ban that will soon end.The Trump administration is ending the ban implemented in 2015 with a final rule published in the Federal Register, according to the Washington Post.The rule ends a ban on certain hunting methods, including using artificial light such as headlamps in wolf dens in an effort to kill mothers and their pups, shooting swimming caribou from a boat and targeting animals from airplanes and snowmobiles, the newspaper reported.It will take effect in 30 days.The regulations were ordered in October 2015 under the Obama administration, when the National Park Service determined that Alaska’s practices conflicted with the federal mission to protect wildlife, according to the Post.State officials argued that the regulations violated Native American hunting rights and were more restrictive than what is permitted on state land.National Park Service Deputy Director David Vela said in a statement to the newspaper that the federal government will defer to Alaska’s wildlife management on national preserves.“The amended rule will support the Department’s interest in advancing wildlife conservation goals and objectives, and in ensuring the state of Alaska’s proper management of hunting and trapping in our national preserves, as specified in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act,” Vela said.Some in favor of the rule change say it will help control the population of wolves and other predators to increase the numbers of their prey, such as caribou, moose and other game animals that hunters prefer killing for sport.

Pres. Trump says admin. ‘would not even consider’ renaming military bases that honor Confederates

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that his administration “would not even consider” renaming various military bases like North Carolina's Fort Bragg that honor Confederate officers who led the fight against the Union and directly or implicitly defended slavery.

Gov. Evers: Wisconsin National Guard ends response to protests in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- Governor Tony Evers Tuesday, June 9 announced that the Wisconsin National Guard "has concluded its mission to preserve public safety and protect the rights of protesters and the media as peaceful demonstrations occurred around Wisconsin following the murder of George Floyd."A news release from the governor's office said in coordination with local leaders, nearly 1,500 troops mobilized over the last week in response to requests for Wisconsin National Guard assistance.Approximately 125 troops originally mobilized to state active duty the evening of May 30 in Milwaukee "when civil authorities in Milwaukee requested the guard's assistance," the release said.

'Now is the time for racial justice:' Biden delivers video message at George Floyd funeral

HOUSTON -- Joe Biden offered both a heartfelt message to the family of George Floyd and an impassioned plea for racial justice in a recorded video played during funeral service Tuesday in Floyd’s hometown of Houston."For most people, the numbness you feel now, will slowly turn, day after day, season after season, into purpose through the memory of the one they lost," Biden said, speaking to Floyd’s loved ones. "But for you, that day has come before you can fully grieve."“Unlike most, you must grieve in public.

President Trump makes wild accusations against injured protester

NEW YORK -- President Donald Trump made wild accusations against an elderly New York man who remains hospitalized with head injuries after he was pushed to the ground by a police officer at a protest in Buffalo and suffered head injuries.On Tuesday morning the president tweeted: "Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur.  75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment.  @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed.

During march, petition circulated to cut MPD funding by 10%, invest in black communities

MILWAUKEE -- A march in Milwaukee Monday, June 8 was focused on changing the direction of the Milwaukee Police Department -- with demonstrators calling for more money to be invested in community programs.It was a long march -- about 4 miles in total, starting at Sherman Park and ending at Red Arrow Park.Through art, poetry and signs, the group urged city leaders to defund police and give the money back to black communities -- part of a movement called "Reclaim the 414." Sherman Park and Red Arrow Park were the locations of the fatal police shootings of Sylville Smith in August 2016 and Dontre Hamilton in April 2014.

President Trump to resume trademark campaign rallies after coronavirus hiatus

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump will resume hosting campaign rallies sometime in the next two weeks, returning one of the president's most potent weapons to his arsenal as the 2020 campaign season enters a pivotal stretch, Fox News is told.

Democrats unveil police reform overhaul, kneel at Capitol

WASHINGTON — Democrats proposed a sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures Monday, a potentially far-reaching legislative response to the mass protests denouncing the deaths of black Americans in the hands of law enforcement.Before unveiling the package, House and Senate Democrats held a moment of silence at the Capitol's Emancipation Hall, reading the names of George Floyd and others killed during police interactions.

White House anti-riot fencing now covered with signs from protesters

WASHINGTON -- The anti-riot fencing surrounding the White House has been covered with signs left by protesters as crowds come together in solidarity against police brutality following the death of George Floyd.Demonstrators in the nation’s capital joined forces to support the Black Lives Matter movement demanding social change, equality and justice for Floyd and the many other black men and women who died in the hands of police.Their signs were an extension of their pleas to end racism.

Colin Powell says he 'cannot in any way support' Pres. Trump; announces he will vote for Biden

WASHINGTON -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday, June 7 became the latest member of the Republican Party’s old guard to announce that he will not be voting for President Donald Trump in November’s general election.Powell’s admission comes amid rumors and speculation that a number of establishment Republican heavyweights have sworn off voting for President Trump in favor of Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden.

WATCH: Antetokounmpo, other Bucks players join Milwaukee protest

MILWAUKEE -- As protests continued in Milwaukee for a ninth consecutive day, crowds were joined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sterling Brown, Brook Lopez and other members of the Milwaukee Bucks near 27th and Wisconsin on Saturday, June 6.The players joined the march around 5:30 p.m. and continued walking with the group for roughly 45 minutes.

President Trump says Drew Brees shouldn’t have apologized for comments on kneeling during anthem

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Friday said New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees should not have apologized for comments he made regarding players kneeling in protest during the national anthem and that everyone should stand.“I am a big fan of Drew Brees.

'We're not being believed:' Milwaukee police chief voices frustration over unrest, procedure review

MILWAUKEE -- Tension is rising at Milwaukee's City Hall among Milwaukee police, Mayor Tom Barrett and other city leaders over the review of standard operating procedures for law enforcement.

Biden formally clinches Democratic presidential nomination

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Friday, setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic, economic collapse and civil unrest.The former vice president has effectively been his party's leader since his last challenger in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders, ended his campaign in April.

White House forces reporters to ditch social distancing because 'it looks better'

WASHINGTON — The White House abandoned social distancing for reporters attending President Donald Trump's Rose Garden event Friday because “it looks better,” according to the aide who ordered it.Seats for reporters at recent White House events had been placed 6 feet apart to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.

Attorney General Barr says he didn’t give tactical order to clear White House protesters

WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr says law enforcement officers were already moving to push back protesters from a park in front of the White House when he arrived there Monday evening, and he says he did not give a command to disperse the crowd, though he supported the decision.Barr’s comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday were his most detailed explanation yet of what unfolded outside the White House earlier this week.

Milwaukee mayor announces commission to examine police practices, strengthen community trust

MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Friday, June 5 the creation of a Commission on Police Accountability and Reform to examine police practices and strengthen community trust among law enforcement officers in every neighborhood in the city.“The tragic events in recent days and the history of police violence in America underscore the critical need for the City of Milwaukee, and every city across the nation, to take specific actions to examine and transform America’s policing system.

Malaria drug didn't help virus patients, big UK study finds

LONDON -- Leaders of a large study in the United Kingdom that is rigorously testing the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and other medicines for hospitalized COVID-19 patients say they will stop putting people on the drug because it’s clear it isn’t helping.Results released Friday from 1,542 patients showed the drug did not reduce deaths, time in the hospital or other factors.

Twitter disables Trump campaign's George Floyd video tribute

SAN FRANCISCO -- Twitter has blocked a Trump campaign video tribute to George Floyd over a copyright claim, in a move that adds to tensions between the social media platform and the U.S. president, one of its most widely followed users.The company put a label on a video posted by the @TeamTrump account that said, “This media has been disabled in response to a claim by the copyright owner.” The video was still up on President Donald Trump’s YouTube channel and includes pictures of Floyd, whose death sparked widespread protests, at the start.“Per our copyright policy, we respond to valid copyright complaints sent to us by a copyright owner or their authorized representatives,” Twitter said in a statement.