Supreme Court rules no quick hearing required when police seize property

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court has ruled that authorities do not have to provide a quick hearing when they seize cars and other property used in drug crimes, even when the property belongs to so-called innocent owners. By a 6-3 vote Thursday, the justices rejected the claims of two Alabama women who had to wait more than a year for their cars to be returned. Police had stopped the cars when they were being driven by other people and, after finding drugs, seized the vehicles. Civil forfeiture allows authorities to take someone’s property, without having to prove that it has been used for illicit purposes.

Homeless woman was living inside Michigan rooftop store sign

(AP) — Police in Michigan say a startling discovery was made on the roof of a Michigan grocery store: A woman was living inside the store sign for roughly a year. Contractors who were on the roof of a Family Fare store in Midland found the 34-year-old in late April. The sign has attic-like space with a door. Inside, the woman had a computer, desk, printer and coffee maker. She was able to get power with an extension cord. Police aren’t certain how she regularly got up on the roof. An officer says the woman was cooperative and quickly agreed to leave. No charges were pursued. The store’s operator, SpartanNash, says affordable housing is a national issue.

Chevrolet Malibu heads for the junkyard as GM shifts focus to electric vehicles

DETROIT (AP) — The Chevrolet Malibu, the last midsize car made by a Detroit automaker, is heading for the junkyard. General Motors confirmed Thursday that it will stop making the car introduced in 1964 as the company focuses more on electric vehicles. The midsize sedan was once the top-selling segment in the U.S., a stalwart of family garages nationwide. But its sales started to decline in the early 2000s as the SUV became more prominent and pickup truck sales grew. Last year midsize cars made up only 8% of U.S. new vehicle sales, down from 22% as recently as 2007. GM sold just over 130,000 Malibus last year, 8.5% fewer than in 2022.

Court rejects Hunter Biden’s appeal in gun case, setting stage for trial to begin

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled that Hunter Biden’s case on firearms charges should move forward. Thursday’s ruling sets the stage for the trial to begin next month in Delaware. Lawyers for the president’s son had asked the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a ruling rejecting his bid to dismiss the case. But a three-judge panel dismissed the appeal, saying the court doesn’t have jurisdiction to review the matter at this time. In an order shortly after that ruling came down, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika said the case would proceed to trial on June 3, and is expected to last three to six days.