Newsom says no imminent threat despite warning about possible Iran drone attack

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom says there’s no imminent threat to the state from Iran. ABC News says the FBI warned California that Iran had aspired to send drones to the West Coast in retaliation for war. The FBI later released text of the alert, which noted that the information was based on “unverified information.” The White House now says, “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists.” Newsom says California and various agencies plan for worst-case scenarios. Police in Los Angeles and San Francisco say they are monitoring world events for any risks.

Old Dominion shooting suspect is ex-Army National Guard member

(AP) — The suspect who killed one person and injured two others at Old Dominion University on Thursday has been identified by authorities as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, who pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State, according to the FBI.The shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post. He said the shooter is dead because of “a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him.” Their actions “undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement,” Patel said. Jalloh, a former member of the Army National Guard, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and was released from federal custody in December 2024. Ashraf Nubani, a Virginia attorney who represented Jalloh in his 2016 criminal case, did not immediately respond to messages Thursday seeking comment.

Average US long-term mortgage rate rises to 6.11%, back to where it was 5 weeks ago

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose again this week, reflecting ongoing bond market jitters over the war with Iran. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate ticked up to 6.11% from 6% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate averaged 6.65%. It’s now back to where it was five weeks ago. The average rate has been hovering around 6% this year, an encouraging backdrop as the spring homebuying season gets rolling. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation.

NASA clears its Artemis moon rocket for an April launch with 4 astronauts following repairs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA cleared its moon rocket on Thursday for an April launch with four astronauts after completing the latest round of repairs. The 322-foot rocket will roll out of the hangar and back to the pad next week at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, leading to a launch attempt as early as April 1. It will mark humanity’s first trip to the moon in more than 50 years. The Artemis II crew should have blasted off on a lunar flyaround earlier this year, but fuel leaks and other problems with the Space Launch System rocket interfered. Although NASA managed to plug the hydrogen fuel leaks at the pad in February, a helium-flow issue forced the space agency to return the rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs, bumping the mission to April.