Top eight today

Top eight stories for today including a federal judge found Donald Trump likely broke the law in trying to stop Congress from counting electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021; Ukraine and Russia are set to resume ceasefire talks but the prospects of ending hostilities remain very uncertain; President Biden released his $5.8 trillion budget plan for 2023, and more.

National

Federal judge finds Trump likely committed felonies with Jan. 6 plan

A law professor with whom then-President Donald Trump concocted a plan to overturn the will of the people following the 2020 presidential election must turn over most of his emailed communications with Trump and the president’s advisers to the Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, a federal judge ruled Monday. But he didn’t stop there.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on July 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Real estate agent who chartered jet for Jan. 6 rallies pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges

A Texas real estate agent who chartered a private plane to Washington, D.C., for the pro-Trump rallies-turned-riot on Jan. 6, 2021, pleaded guilty Monday for his role in the Capitol attack.

The government used this photo of Jason Hyland (circled in red) in their case against him for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. (Image via Courthouse News)

Biden releases $5.8 trillion budget plan for 2023

Offering several strategies to fight inflation and ambitious plans to reduce the nation’s deficit over the next 10 years with a tax on the rich, President Joe Biden released his $5.8 trillion budget plan for 2023 Monday.

President Joe Biden speaks about his 2023 budget plan at the White House in Washington on Monday, March 28, 2022. (Screenshot via Courthouse News)

Poll: Americans ready to ditch face masks and social distancing

More than two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, a poll reports a sizeable majority of Americans from across the political spectrum say it’s time to walk back some of the restrictions.

A sign requiring masks as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus is posted on a storefront in Philadelphia, on Feb. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Regional

Air pollution from western wildfires could triple by end of century

Researchers at Princeton University determined the air pollution from wildfires across the western U.S. could as much as triple by 2100 without climate change mitigation efforts.

A firefighter lights a backfire to stop the Caldor Fire from spreading near South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Chicago City Council votes to confirm first Asian American alderwoman

Former financial consultant Nicole Lee was sworn in as the first Asian American woman to serve on the Chicago City Council Monday afternoon, following a unanimous approval vote by all present city alderpersons.

Nicole Lee, the first Chinese American member of the Chicago City Council, speaks during a press conference following her unanimous approval on Monday, March 28, 2022. (Screenshot via Courthouse News)

International

Zelenskyy offers Ukraine neutrality ahead of peace talks

On the eve of peace talks in Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said his country would consider staying out of NATO and he seemed willing to concede some Ukrainian territory to Russia.

A Ukrainian flag is installed on an apartment building damaged by fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops in the village of Lukyanivka, Ukraine, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (AP Photo)

Canada, Ontario ink deal to cap child care costs at $10 a day

Canada and the province of Ontario have cemented an agreement where Ontario will receive $10.2 billion in federal funding to cut child care costs to $10 a day by 2026.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has reached agreements with most provinces and territories to cap child care costs at $10 per day. (Adam Scotti/PMO)

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