California
Judges hear immigration program arguments
SAN FRANCISCO — Federal appeals court judges appeared skeptical Tuesday of the Trump administration’s claim that courts don’t have the power to review the president’s decision to end a program that shields young immigrants from deportation.
Lawyers for both sides spent more than an hour arguing their cases about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and answering questions from three judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California.
It’s the first time a federal appeals court has heard arguments on the issue. About 40 DACA supporters gathered outside the courthouse, carrying signs that said “Immigrant rights are human rights” and “Our strength stems from our roots.”
Judges focused on the administration’s rationale for ending the program and whether they had authority to intervene rather than exploring the merits of allowing hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to remain in the U.S. under DACA.
Hawaii
Volcano costs tourism industry millions
PAHOA — People nixing vacations to Hawaii’s Big island has cost the tourism industry millions of dollars as the top attraction, Kilauea volcano, keeps spewing lava.
Cancellations from May through July have hit at least $5 million, said Ross Birch, executive director of the island’s tourism board.
The booking pace for hotels and other activities, such as tours for lava viewing, zip lines and glass bottom boats have fallen 50 percent. A handful of cruise ships have also decided not to come into port even in Kona on the west side of the island, about 80 miles from the volcano.
Pennsylvania
Sentencing for Cosby scheduled for Sept. 24
PHILADELPHIA — Bill Cosby will be sentenced Sept. 24, almost five months to the day after he was convicted of sexual assault, a judge said Tuesday.
Lawyers for the comedian, who turns 81 in July and faces the prospect of the rest of his life in prison, had asked Judge Steven O’Neill to delay sentencing until the end of the year.
Cosby’s convictions on three counts of aggravated indecent assault will likely be combined into one charge that carries a standard sentence of five to 10 years in prison.
Massachusetts
Woman hiker climbs tree to escape coyotes
SAUGUS — A woman hiking on a Massachusetts reservation says coyotes surrounded her and her dog, forcing her to climb a tree to safety.
WHDH-TV reported the woman was with her Labrador at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus on Tuesday when they encountered coyotes and she fled up a tree.
The unidentified woman told a 911 dispatcher that at least one coyote was about 400 feet away staring at her and her dog, which remained on the ground.
The Saugus fire department assisted the woman, and she and the dog escaped uninjured.
Mississippi
700-year-old tree knocks hole in house
D’IBERVILLE — A massive live oak tree that stood for seven centuries has split, sending around four tons of wood toppling onto a family home in Mississippi.
The Sun Herald reported no one at Barbara Taylor’s home was injured Friday, although the house itself now features a gaping hole.
Wire reports
