Top eight today

Top eight stories for today including the war in Ukraine moved toward what could be a decisive battle over the Donbas region; The Supreme Court forecast a win for the government in its effort to stamp out a Washington state law making it easier for nuclear waste workers to seek benefits; A federal judge vacated the nationwide traveler mask mandate, and more.

National

Federal judge strikes down mask mandate for travelers

A federal judge in Florida vacated the government’s traveler mask mandate on Monday, opening the door for millions of air passengers to fly without face coverings for the first time in the pandemic era.

Travelers walk through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday, April 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Justices wary of bid to broaden workers’ comp in Washington

The U.S. Supreme Court forecast a win for the government Monday in its effort to stamp out a law that makes it easier for nuclear workers in Washington state with job-related injuries to seek federal benefits.

Off to the races: Midterms, and the Senate creeping right, put pressure on judicial vacancies

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings have concluded, but high-stakes judicial battles are far from over as Democrats fret about what a red sweep in the 2022 midterms will mean for empty federal bench seats across the country.

People celebrate the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson the first Black woman to reach the Supreme Court during an April 8, 2022, rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Millions in the hole over conspiracy theories, Alex Jones enters businesses into bankruptcy

Three businesses owned by radio personality and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, even as a recent lawsuit accuses Jones of using shell companies to hide his assets.

Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones rallies pro-Trump supporters outside the Maricopa County’s Office on Nov. 5, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Matt York/AP)

Electric aircraft developer hit by investors lawsuit after research report sinks shares

Investors hit Germany-based Lilium, developer of electric aircraft capable of taking off and landing vertically, with a securities class action following the release of a research report that questioned the company’s technology and sent its stock plummeting 34%.

A render of the 7-seater Lilium on approach into New York. (Source: Lilium NV)

Killer put on death row by jury infected with prejudice loses high court appeal

After the Supreme Court refused Monday to entertain claims of racial bias from a Black man on death row, the court’s three liberal justices railed in dissent against the Texas justice system’s choice to ignore the plain legal error.

Kristopher Love robbed, shot, and killed a pediatric dentist in Dallas in 2015. (Screenshot via Courthouse News via Texas Department of Criminal Justice)

Vaccine refuseniks in NYC, military get no Supreme Court sympathy

The Supreme Court didn't take up any new cases Monday, closing the book on one challenge to a Trump-era cap on state and local tax deductions as well as a case from school staff who refused the Covid-19 vaccine.

Visitors walk outside the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 21, 2022. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

International

After sinking of Russian ship, Ukraine war intensifies further

The war in Ukraine on Monday was moving toward what could be a decisive battle over the Donbas region and Russia, angry over the sinking of its Moskva warship in the Black Sea, launched more missiles at Lviv.