Federal protections of transgender students are launching where courts haven’t blocked them

(AP) — New federal protections for transgender students at U.S. schools and colleges launch this week, but not everywhere. Most Republican-led states challenged the rule from President Joe Biden’s administration, which is to take effect Thursday. In response, judges have blocked enforcement in 21 states plus hundreds of individual schools and colleges. Some states already have policies that protect transgender students. But those policies may not exactly match components of the federal regulation, including requirements for dealing with sexual misconduct complaints. It could take more court action to sort out exactly what schools must do this year.

SC Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled the state’s death penalty is legal. All five justices agreed Wednesday with at least part of the ruling, opening the door to restart executions in a state that hasn’t put an inmate to death since 2011. South Carolina’s death penalty now includes a firing squad as well as lethal injection and the electric chair. The justices ruled that state lawmakers appear to be genuinely against inflicting pain and making the death penalty as humane as possible. The ruling can likely be appealed. As many as eight inmates may be out of appeals and awaiting execution dates.

1 person killed in Colorado wildfires as blazes torch large areas of the US West

DENVER (AP) — One person has been killed in a wildfire burning in the Colorado foothills as several blazes are torching large areas around the western United States. Authorities said Wednesday that the body was found in one of as many as five homes that burned in a fire just north of Lyons, Colorado. A second fire is burning southwest of Denver and has triggered evacuation orders for 575 homes. Around the U.S., nearly 28,000 firefighters are battling 95 large fires, and authorities say many of those fires are raging out of control. Almost 7,000 square miles of land have burned around the U.S. to date this year.

US stands by decision that 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous, steps closer to huge recall

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto safety regulators say they stand by a conclusion that more than 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous and should be recalled, taking another step toward a massive recall. The move Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration involves inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc. and another parts manufacturer. It comes despite opposition from automakers. The inflators in about 49 million vehicles from 13 manufacturers can explode and hurl shrapnel into drivers and passengers. The agency has said the inflators are responsible for at least seven injuries and two deaths in the United States and Canada since 2009.