Arbery’s killers ask a US appeals court to overturn their hate crime convictions

ATLANTA (AP) — Three white men are asking a U.S. appeals court to throw out their hate crime convictions in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. The 25-year-old Black man was chased by men in pickup trucks and fatally shot in the streets of a coastal Georgia subdivision in 2020. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta heard oral arguments Wednesday. An attorney for Greg McMichael said he began pursuing Arbery in the mistaken belief he was a criminal, not because of his race. Lawyers for Travis McMichael and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan argued that their convictions were flawed based on legal technicalities.

Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. DeSantis’ allies

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney have reached a settlement agreement in a state court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future following the takeover of the theme park resort’s government by the Florida governor. In a meeting Wednesday morning, the DeSantis-appointed members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved the settlement agreement, ending almost two years of litigation that was sparked by DeSantis’ takeover of the district from Disney supporters. The takeover was a result of the company’s opposition to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.

$15 toll to drive into part of Manhattan has been approved

NEW YORK (AP) — New York is on track to become the first U.S. city with congestion tolls on drivers entering its downtown. Transit authorities approved the congestion pricing plan Wednesday, authorizing a $15 toll for passenger vehicles entering a toll zone that’s south of Manhattan’s Central Park during the day. Supporters of the new tolls say it will push more people to use public transport and reduce congestion to speed up public buses and emergency vehicles. It’s expected to raise $1 billion per year to fund improvements in public subway and bus systems.

TikTok is under investigation by the FTC over data practices

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the matter says the Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok over its data and security practices. The source says the FTC has been looking into whether TikTok violated a portion of federal law that prohibits “unfair and deceptive” business practices by denying individuals in China had access to U.S. user data. The agency is also scrutinizing the company over potential violations of a children’s privacy law. The investigation is the latest battle in Washington for TikTok.

Handpicked numbers were the golden ticket to the $1.13B Mega Millions jackpot

NEPTUNE, N.J. (AP) — Someone in New Jersey who bought a single ticket overcame the odds and won the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot, breaking a winless streak that dated to last December. State lottery officials say the winning ticket was sold at ShopRite Wines & Spirits of Neptune, which is located on the Jersey Shore. Until the latest drawing, no one had matched all six numbers and won the Mega Millions jackpot since Dec. 8. It’s tough to win the Mega Millions jackpot because the odds are so long, at 1 in 302.6 million. The prize is the 8th largest in U.S. lottery history. The $1.13 billion jackpot is for a winner who is paid through an annuity.