Ky. lawmakers hear teachers, override veto
FRANKFORT, Ky. — With the chants of hundreds of teachers ringing in their ears, Kentucky lawmakers voted Friday to override the Republican governor’s veto of a two-year state budget that increases public education spending with the help of a more than $480 million tax increase.
The votes came as thousands of teachers rallied inside and outside the Capitol, forcing more than 30 school districts to close as Kentucky continued the chorus of teacher protests across the country.
Gov. Matt Bevin vetoed the budget and the money in it, calling the bills “sloppy” and “non-transparent.”
Lawmaker mulls run
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a prominent and polarizing conservative leader, is considering a run for House speaker in a bid that could upend the race to succeed Paul Ryan.
Two Republican lawmakers said they had spoken with Mr. Jordan since Mr. Ryan announced his retirement Wednesday, and both said that they got the impression that Mr. Jordan would enter the race to lead the House GOP.
The lawmakers spoke on condition of anonymity.
Demonstration casualties
EITOUN, Gaza Strip — Thousands of Palestinians protested at the Israel-Gaza border for the third consecutive week Friday, and Israeli forces injured 363 of them with a combination of tear gas and live ammunition, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
Although Israel had warned the Palestinians to steer clear of the fence, the Israel Defense Forces said at least 10,000 demonstrated in five locations and that some attempted to damage security infrastructure, including with firebombs and an explosive device.
Since the demonstrations began last month, Israeli forces have killed 27 Palestinians, according to local health officials.
Driver in crash was drunk
The driver of a vehicle that plunged off a Northern California cliff last month in a fatal crash thought to have killed all eight members of the family was under the influence of alcohol, and the crash appears intentional, authorities said Friday.
Jennifer Hart was behind the wheel of a sport utility vehicle that fell 100 feet into the Pacific Ocean off a remote stretch of Highway 1 in Mendocino County, killing her, her wife and three of their six children.
The body of an African-American girl was pulled from the surf last week, and tests will confirm whether it’s one of the missing children. There has been no sign of the other two children.
Marijuana deal reached
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will not let U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions undermine Colorado’s thriving marijuana industry.
Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado had held up a variety of Justice Department nominations over the Trump administration’s decision to pull back a memo from then-Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole that had restricted federal enforcement of drug laws against marijuana.
Mr. Gardner and others were concerned that it could lead to federal agents taking enforcement actions against dispensaries and other businesses that are legal under Colorado state law.
On Friday, Mr. Gardner announced he had a deal with Mr. Trump that would allow him to lift the hold on the Justice nominees.
Mr. Sessions has long opposed efforts to legalize marijuana.