Top 8 today

Top eight stories for today including the investigation into whether Donald Trump and his allies illegally attempted to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results has intensified; A special congressional election was too close to call after Alaska’s first test of ranked-choice voting; Attorneys made their opening statements in R. Kelly's federal sexual abuse and child pornography trial, and more.

National

Trump election interference probe heats up in Atlanta

The investigation into whether former President Donald Trump and his allies illegally attempted to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results has intensified as crucial witnesses are set to appear before a special grand jury over the coming weeks.

Rudy Giuliani arrives at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Jury hears opening arguments in second R. Kelly federal trial

Attorneys in Chicago made their opening statements in R. Kelly's federal sexual abuse and child pornography trial on Wednesday, following two days of jury selection.

Musician R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Court building in Chicago on June 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Amr Alfiky, File)

FBI affidavit for Trump search warrant is closely guarded. Will it stay that way?

Publicly the former president is pushing transparency. As one source notes, however, "that is a far cry from filing a formal legal document taking a legal position that he does not oppose release."

Police direct traffic outside an entrance to former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Regional

Most races too close to call in Alaska primary

The special election to fill the late Republican Don Young’s seat in the House of Representatives was too close to call on Wednesday morning after Alaska’s first test of ranked-choice voting.

Sarah Palin, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Palin is in two elections on Tuesday, Aug. 16. She is one of three candidates in a special election vying to fill the remainder of U.S. Rep. Don Young's term after he died in March. She's also in the U.S. House primary, seeking a full two-year term. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Arizona slammed for voting restrictions that target racial minorities

An Asian American advocacy group sued Arizona to block new election laws they say may force people of color or naturalized voters to prove they’re citizens or face criminal prosecution.

A voter drops off a ballot for the Arizona Democratic presidential preference election Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Herb Wesson remains blocked from serving on LA City Council

In a case that's beginning to take on a distinct "Groundhog Day"-like quality, a Los Angeles County judge indicated Wednesday he would likely extend a temporary restraining order barring former City Councilmember Herb Wesson from serving in his old seat as a temporary replacement.

Former Los Angeles City Council member — and erstwhile City Council appointee — Herb Wesson.(Facebook via Courthouse News)

Liz Cheney defeated in Wyoming primary

Attorney Harriet Hageman has beat Representative Liz Cheney in the Republican primary for Wyoming's lone congressional seat, an expected win after Cheney's vocal opposition to former President Donald Trump.

Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., listens as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol holds a hearing at the Capitol in Washington on June 16, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Science

About to blow: Are we ready for the next volcanic catastrophe?

Researchers in the United Kingdom warn massive volcano eruptions could be a more imminent threat than we think.

Mount Rinjani in Indonesia, which had one of the largest eruptions (magnitude 7) in the last millennium in 1257. (Credit: Dr Mike Cassidy)

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