News Wrap: DOJ announces criminal charges against Southern Poverty Law Center

[0:00] In the day's other headlines, the Justice Department announced criminal charges today [0:04] against the Southern Poverty Law Center over its past use of paid informants to infiltrate [0:09] extremist groups. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters late this afternoon [0:14] that the charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. [0:20] Earlier in the day, the head of the organization says that while it no longer works with paid [0:24] informants, their contributions had been invaluable. [0:27] When we began working with informants, we were living in the shadow of the height of [0:32] the civil rights movement, which had seen bombings at churches, state-sponsored violence against [0:37] demonstrators, and the murders of activists that went unanswered by the justice system. [0:43] There is no question that what we learned from informants saved lives. [0:48] The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 and has long been criticized by Republicans [0:54] who say it unfairly targets conservative groups and individuals. [0:58] Last year, FBI Director Cash Patel said the agency was severing its ties with the center, [1:04] which for years had provided law enforcement with research on domestic extremism. [1:08] In Virginia, voters are deciding on a redistricting plan that could help Democrats pick up as many [1:14] as four U.S. House seats in the midterm elections. [1:18] If approved, today's referendum would amend Virginia's constitution to give Democrats the [1:23] power to redraw the state's congressional districts. [1:26] Supporters say it's needed to offset Republican redistricting efforts in places like Texas, [1:31] while opponents say they prefer the status quo. [1:34] Well, I just want to even. [1:36] The Democrats, the Democrats in Virginia, I just want to be even, like Democrats and Republicans. [1:44] The boundaries were set long time ago, I guess, I'm assuming, and I just didn't, I just didn't [1:52] like the idea of changing. [1:54] Democrats hold six of Virginia's 11 congressional seats. [1:58] Even if voters approved today's measure, it could still face legal challenges before taking effect. [2:04] The Pentagon unveiled details today about its $1.5 trillion budget request for the coming fiscal year. [2:11] About $750 billion would go to what officials are calling presidential priorities, including a Golden [2:18] Dome missile defense system, AI infrastructure, and drones. [2:22] Service members would also get a pay raise, with junior enlisted troops getting a 7 percent bump. [2:27] The Pentagon also hopes to grow its force by around 44,000 troops. [2:32] If approved by Congress, the budget would be the largest in U.S. history when adjusted for inflation. [2:37] Also today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. military personnel will no longer be [2:44] required to get their annual flu shot. [2:47] In a video posted to social media, Hegseth described the mandate as, quote, [2:51] overly broad and not rational. [2:53] Instead, the vaccine will be voluntary for all active duty and reserve troops effective immediately. [2:59] The annual flu vaccine has been standard for service members since the 1950s. [3:04] Some public health experts warn that today's decision could weaken troop readiness. [3:09] Authorities in Mexico say the gunman who opened fire at the famous Teotihuacan pyramids acted alone [3:15] and that he planned the attack beforehand. [3:21] Eyewitness video shows the 27-year-old Mexican national firing a weapon yesterday. [3:27] A Canadian woman was killed and at least 13 others were injured. [3:31] The suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. [3:34] Authorities say he was carrying a tactical-style backpack with a cell phone, bus tickets, [3:39] and materials that appeared to reference the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. [3:45] Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum says security will be stepped up at such sites following the attack. [3:50] We had not witnessed anything like this in Mexico. [3:57] It is the first time this has happened. [3:59] Based on everything indicated by prosecutorial authorities, [4:02] this person showed signs of psychological problems and was influenced by incidents that occurred abroad. [4:09] Also today, multiple media outlets are reporting that the two Americans killed in a car accident in Mexico on Sunday were CIA officers. [4:17] They were reportedly returning from a counter-cartel operation in northern Mexico. [4:22] President Sheinbaum said in a separate appearance yesterday that her administration had no prior knowledge of their activities [4:29] and that Mexico would investigate whether any national security laws were broken. [4:34] On Wall Street today, stocks ended lower amid that uncertainty over the Iran cease-fire talks. [4:40] The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped nearly 300 points. [4:43] The Nasdaq fell more than half a percent on the day. [4:46] The S&P 500 also ended the session in the red. [4:49] Still to come on the NewsHour, another member of Congress resigns for ethics reasons. [4:55] A senior Hezbollah leader in his first interview on American television. [5:00] And Apple enters a new phase with Tim Cook stepping down as CEO. [5:04] This is the PBS NewsHour from the David M. Rubenstein Studio at WETA in Washington, headquarters of PBS News. [5:19] Support journalism you trust. [5:21] Support PBS News. [5:23] Donate now, or even better, start a monthly contribution today.