Heavy rains soak Texas and close schools as downpours continue in parts of the US

HOUSTON (AP) — Heavy rains in Texas closed schools and elevated flooding risks around Houston in another round of soaking downpours. This weather has made for a soggy and dangerous week across large portions of the U.S. A stretch of wet and freezing winter weather has swept away vehicles in San Diego, led to high-water rescues in San Antonio and coated roads with ice in the Midwest. Rain was expected to continue pushing across the Gulf Coast on Thursday and Friday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week declared a state of emergency for San Diego and Ventura counties.

Boeing 757 lost nose wheel preparing for takeoff during a very rough stretch

(AP) — A Boeing 757 jet operated by Delta Air Lines lost a nose wheel while preparing for takeoff from Atlanta. It was an older model of plane than those made by Boeing that have raised safety concerns about Boeing, yet it occurred with an intense spotlight on one of the nation’s top manufacturers. Delta Flight 982 — headed to Bogota, Colombia — was taxiing for departure at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when the incident took place around 11:15 a.m. Saturday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the incident. The plane is 32 years old.

Ford to recall nearly 1.9 million Explorer SUVs to secure trim pieces

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling nearly 1.9 million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. because a trim piece can fly off and create a hazard for other drivers. The recall covers Explorers from the 2011 through 2019 model years. Documents posted Wednesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that clips holding the trim that covers the roof supports by the windshield can come loose. If that happens, the trim can fly off. The recall comes after U.S. regulators opened an investigation into the problem last year after receiving consumer complaints.

Washington state reaches a nearly $150M settlement with Johnson & Johnson

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state attorney general has announced a $149.5 million settlement agreement with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson, more than four years after the state sued the company over its role in the opioid addiction crisis. Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s announcement Wednesday comes as opioid overdose deaths have risen across the state, with 2,048 in 2022. That’s more than twice as many deaths as there were in 2019. Under the deal, the state and local governments would have to spend $123.3 million to address the opioid crisis, including on substance abuse treatment, expanded access to overdose-reversal drugs and services that support pregnant women on substances.

Proud Boys member sentenced to 6 years in prison for Capitol riot role

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man who stormed the U.S. Capitol with fellow Proud Boys extremist group members has been sentenced to six years in prison. Marc Bru repeatedly interrupted and insulted Chief Judge James Boasberg before he handed down the sentence in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday. Bru called the judge a “clown” and a “fraud” presiding over a “kangaroo court.” The judge warned Bru that he could be kicked out of the courtroom if he continued to disrupt the proceedings.