Wisconsin charges Trump allies in fake elector scheme

In a significant development, Wisconsin's Attorney General has filed felony charges against three associates of former President Donald Trump for allegedly submitting false elector paperwork in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. The individuals charged include attorneys Kenneth Chesbrough and Jim Troupe, along with former Trump aide Mike Roman. They are scheduled to appear in court in September and could face up to six years in prison and substantial fines. This marks Wisconsin as the fifth state to pursue legal action related to the 2020 election, joining Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia.

During a House Judiciary Committee meeting, Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed what he termed \"unprecedented attacks\" on the Justice Department from Republican lawmakers. He firmly rejected claims that his department was involved in any conspiracy related to Trump’s legal challenges, asserting that the Justice Department will continue its work free from political influence. This statement comes amid Republican efforts to hold Garland in contempt over the Biden administration's refusal to release audio from President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur regarding classified documents.

In other legal news, the trial of Hunter Biden commenced today, with federal prosecutors alleging that he lied on a gun purchase form regarding his drug addiction. Biden's defense contends that he did not consider himself an addict at the time of the application. Hunter Biden, who has pleaded not guilty, was accompanied in court by his wife and First Lady Jill Biden.

On the international front, President Biden expressed confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intentions regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, despite earlier comments suggesting political motivations behind the war's prolongation. Meanwhile, Israel's military is reportedly close to deciding on a potential offensive against Hezbollah along its northern border, raising concerns about escalating tensions in the region.

In domestic news, a severe heat wave is expected to impact large areas of the southern and western United States, with temperatures potentially exceeding 110 degrees in parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings affecting approximately 19 million Americans, urging residents to take precautions.

Additionally, Major League Baseball has permanently banned San Diego Padres infielder To Capita Marcano for extensive sports betting violations, while four other players received one-year suspensions for similar offenses. In a separate case, the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud, admitting to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.

On Wall Street, stocks experienced modest gains following a report indicating a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. job openings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 140 points, closing at 38,007. Meanwhile, NASA is working to restore the Hubble Telescope after it entered a hibernation state due to a gyroscope malfunction, with plans to operate it on a single gyroscope until mid-June.