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Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake Strikes New York Metro Area and East Coast (www.nbcnews.com)

Raw data from the USGS: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/…/executive

Public has no right to swim in sea, claims firm that dumped sewage at bathing spot (inews.co.uk)

South West Water is claiming it has no legal obligation to keep rivers and seawater clean of sewage in its defence against a Devon swimmer who is taking the water company to court....

Trump bond lowered to $175 million as he appeals civil fraud judgment in New York (www.cnn.com)

A New York appeals court has given Donald Trump 10 more days to post his bond as he appeals the civil fraud judgment against him and cut the amount necessary to $175 million....

Ocasio-Cortez, in House Speech, Accuses Israel of ‘Genocide’, Pleads for Biden to End Israel Aid (www.nytimes.com)

Satanic Temple prepares to enter Florida schools as state moves to pass bill allowing chaplains to volunteer (www.independent.co.uk)

In two days, the Smokehouse Creek Fire has grown to be the second-largest in Texas history (www.cbsnews.com)

Just a reminder that it’s still February, people.

US Vice President says no decision to halt or condition military aid to Israel (www.middleeastmonitor.com)

Average credit card balances jump 10% to a record $6,360, and more consumers fall behind on payments (www.cnbc.com)

Americans now owe $1.13 trillion in credit card debt

Can Trump be on the ballot? It's the Supreme Court's biggest election test since Bush v. Gore (apnews.com)

In arguments Thursday, the justices will, for the first time, wrestle with a constitutional provision that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who “engaged in insurrection” from reclaiming power....

Texas AG Paxton sues five cities, including Austin and San Marcos, over marijuana policies (cbsaustin.com)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against five cities – Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Denton and Elgin – ordinances that aim to eliminate enforcement of low-level marijuana possession offenses....

Schools are using surveillance tech to catch students vaping, snaring some with harsh punishments (apnews.com)

When Aaliyah Iglesias was caught vaping at a Texas high school, she didn’t realize how much could be taken from her....

‘Gas-Station Heroin’ Sold as Dietary Supplement Alarms Health Officials (www.nytimes.com)

Tianeptine, found at convenience stores, at smoke shops and online, can mimic an opioid. It is among a growing class of substances that are difficult to control....

Mississippi quits child food program amid Republican ‘welfare state’ attack (www.theguardian.com)

Critics condemn ‘cruelty’ of state opting out of federal problem to feed children from low-income families during summer break...

At least 33 Canadian churches have burned to the ground since May 2021. Only 2 were accidents (www.cbc.ca)

CBC News has examined 33 Canadian churches that burned to the ground since May 2021. Just two were ruled accidental....

US sees largest COVID wave since omicron (www.semafor.com)

Multiple state Republican parties are going broke (www.newsweek.com)

Colorado Supreme Court justices getting threats since decision to disqualify Trump from ballot, report finds (www.9news.com)

NBC News reports a familiar pattern to the latest round of threats – when Trump has a legal setback, officials face threats.

Clarence Thomas’ Private Complaints About Money Sparked Fears He Would Resign (www.propublica.org)

After almost a decade on the court, Thomas had grown frustrated with his financial situation, according to friends. He had recently started raising his young grandnephew, and Thomas’ wife was soliciting advice on how to handle the new expenses. The month before, the justice had borrowed $267,000 from a friend to buy a high-end...

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