Hurricane Erin forecast to churn up dangerous swells and winds from Fla. to New England

RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Erin is churning slowly toward the eastern U.S. coast and stirring up waves that already have forced dozens of beach rescues several days before the biggest storm surges are expected. Forecasters remain confident the center of the monster storm will remain far offshore. But the outer edges are likely to bring damaging tropical-force winds, large swells and life-threatening rip currents. Warnings about rip currents have been posted from Florida to the New England coast. In New Jersey, towns are closing some beaches to swimming. The biggest swells along the East Coast are expected to develop Wednesday and last into Thursday.

Texas Democrat spends night in Legislature protesting police shadowing

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Democratic Texas lawmaker has chosen to spend the night in the state House chamber to avoid being shadowed by law enforcement. Republicans in the Texas House require Democrats to sign agreements for constant surveillance by state officers. Rep. Nicole Collier refused and stayed on the House floor. This move is part of a larger battle over redrawing U.S. House maps. Democrats returned to Texas, allowing the Republican-run Legislature to proceed with redistricting. The fight over control of Congress is intensifying, with California Democrats also advancing new congressional boundaries in response.

Judge dismisses part of lawsuit over ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration detention center

MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge in Miami has dismissed part of a lawsuit over the legal rights of detainees at the immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” and transferred the remaining case to a different jurisdiction. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz dismissed part of the suit and moved the case to a different jurisdiction. He ruled that claims about detainees lacking confidential access to lawyers or hearings were moot. The Trump administration recently designated the Krome North Processing Center near Miami for their cases. Civil rights attorneys had sought a preliminary injunction to ensure detainees have access to lawyers and hearings.

Trump’s Justice Department is investigating whether DC police officials falsified crime data

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether police officials in Washington, D.C., have falsified crime data. That’s according to two people familiar with the probe who weren’t authorized to publicly discuss an open investigation. The investigation, reported Tuesday, comes amid an escalating showdown between the Trump administration and the city over control of the police department. It wasn’t immediately clear what federal laws could have been violated by the possible manipulation of crime data. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment.