USAID employees ask a judge to keep blocking Trump’s effort

WASHINGTON (AP) — Employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development asked a federal judge on Thursday to keep blocking an effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to pull all but a fraction of worldwide staffers off the job. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who was nominated by Trump, handed the administration and billionaire ally Elon Musk a setback last week by temporarily halting plans that would have put thousands of workers on leave and given those abroad only 30 days to return to the United States at government expense. Nichols’ order was set to expire by the end of the day. Two associations representing federal employees want him to continue it, as well as suspending Trump’s freeze on almost all foreign assistance.

Brooke Rollins confirmed as Trump’s agriculture secretary as tariff fights loom

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brooke Rollins has been confirmed as secretary of agriculture. The Senate confirmed Rollins in a vote Thursday, placing a close ally of President Donald Trump into a key Cabinet position at a time when mass deportation plans could lead to farm labor shortages and tariffs could hit agricultural exports. Rollins acknowledged that Trump’s plans for the mass deportation of people in the country illegally could led to labor shortages on arms. But Rollins said Americans support Trump’s plans and she would work to help the president while also trying to protect farmers. Rollins also promised to “modernize” USDA in line with Trump’s vision for the department.

Californians brace for flooding in areas torched by wildfires

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The rain has intensified in California, where an atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy downpours, winds and flooding to areas ravaged by wildfires. Officials ahead of the storm’s arrival distributed sandbags, prepositioned rescue swimmers and told residents to have their go-bags ready. Meanwhile, Portland, Oregon, coated its streets with liquid anti-icer while officials in that state and Idaho opened emergency shelters to prepare for snow and ice Thursday. The National Weather Service says Southern California could get as much as 6 inches of rain in the mountains and 3 inches in coastal areas and valleys. Strong wind gusts could down trees and cause power outages.

Manhattan US attorney resigns after refusing orders to drop case against NYC mayor

NEW YORK (AP) — Before resigning, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan told her boss that she was confident that New York City Mayor Eric Adams “has committed the crimes with which he is charged” and that she would refuse the Justice Department’s order to drop the corruption case. Danielle Sassoon said in a letter Wednesday to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi that prosecutors were prepared to seek a new indictment charging Adams with additional crimes.. Sassoon resigned Thursday, announcing her decision in an email to staff. In response, the acting deputy U.S. attorney general, Emil Bove, scolded Sassoon for defying his order to dismiss the case against the Democratic mayor.