Police say driver accidentally struck parked SUV in Biden’s motorcade

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Wilmington police say 46-year-old driver believed to be drunk accidentally plowed into a parked SUV that was guarding President Joe Biden’s motorcade Sunday night while the president was leaving a visit to his campaign headquarters. The president and first lady Jill Biden were unharmed. The sedan struck a U.S. Secret Service vehicle that was being used to close off intersections near the headquarters for the president’s departure. Wilmington police said Monday their investigation determined the driver, a 46-year-old Wilmington man, accidentally struck the car and he was charged with drunken driving and inattentive driving.

Justice Department creates database to track records of misconduct

(AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has created a database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement officers. The database works to prevent agencies from unknowingly hiring problem officers. Announced on Monday, the federal move is a step toward accountability amid growing calls to close loopholes that allow law enforcement officers to be rehired by other agencies after losing their jobs or resigning after misconduct allegations. Attorney General Merrick Garland says it will give federal agencies “an important new tool for vetting and hiring officers and agents that will help strengthen our efforts” to build and retain the public’s trust.

YouTube mom who gave parenting advice pleads guilty in child abuse case

(AP) — A Utah mother of six who gave parenting advice via a once-popular YouTube channel called “8 Passengers” has pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse for abusing and starving two of her children. Ruby Franke’s attorney said she did so while under the influence of a relationship counselor who led her to a “distorted sense of morality.” The judge accepted the guilty pleas on Monday and scheduled sentencing for Feb. 20. Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested on Aug. 30 after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s house in Ivins, Utah, and asked a neighbor to call police. The boy was emaciated and had duct tape around his ankles and wrists.

Judge issues order keeping Confederate memorial at Arlington Cemetery for now

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order barring removal of a memorial to Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. A group called Defend Arlington, affiliated with a group called Save Southern Heritage Florida, filed a lawsuit Sunday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, seeking the restraining order. A hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday. Work to remove the memorial had begun Monday before the restraining order was issued, but the memorial remains in place on cemetery grounds.

Attorneys for Kentucky woman seeking abortion withdraw lawsuit

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Attorneys for a Kentucky woman who sued demanding the right to an abortion withdrew the lawsuit after the woman learned her embryo no longer has cardiac activity. In a court filing Sunday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky told a judge the attorneys will “voluntarily dismiss” the lawsuit that was filed Dec. 8. Lawyers for the woman pointed to a Kentucky Supreme Court decision that said abortion providers cannot sue on behalf of their patients, limiting the legal actions to individuals seeking an abortion.