Federal prosecutors won’t seek charges in deadly arrest of Black motorist

(AP) — Federal prosecutors have decided not to bring charges in the in the deadly 2019 arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene in north Louisiana. The U.S. Justice Department informed Greene’s family of the decision Tuesday a day. The decision closes the books on a lengthy FBI investigation into the white troopers who stunned, punched and dragged Greene and allegations of an attempted cover-up. The Justice Department also was preparing to announce that a broader civil rights investigation found a pattern of Louisiana State Police troopers using excessive force, according to two officials speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement.

Biden takes big step for the future of AI with ambitious executive order

LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Joe Biden has signed an ambitious executive order on artificial intelligence that seeks to ensure the infrastructure needed for advanced AI operations like data centers can be built quickly and at scale in the United States. Tuesday’s executive order directs federal agencies to accelerate large-scale AI infrastructure development at government sites. The order imposes requirements and safeguards on the developers building on these locations. Federal agencies will also help facilitate the infrastructure’s interconnection to the electric grid and help speed up the permitting process. The Democratic president says AI will have “profound implications for national security and enormous potential to improve Americans’ lives if harnessed responsibly.”

USDA documented insects and slime at Boar’s Head plants, records show

(AP) — U.S. food inspectors documented unsanitary conditions at several Boar’s Head deli meat plants, not just the Jarratt, Virginia, factory that was shut down last year. That’s according to newly released federal documents in response to an Associated Press records request. An outbreak of listeria food poisoning tied to the plant sickened more than 60 people and killed 10. The reports show problems at Boar’s Head plants in Indiana, Arkansas and another in Virginia. Inspectors documented meat and fat residue on equipment and walls, dripping condensation, mold, insects and other problems. U.S. Agriculture Department officials say they put stronger measures in place to control listeria. The company says the violations “do not meet our high standards.”

Speaker Johnson orders US Capitol flags raised to full height for Trump’s inauguration

(AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson has ordered that flags at the U.S. Capitol be raised to their full height on Inauguration Day. Johnson’s announcement pauses a 30-day flag-lowering order issued last month by President Joe Biden following the death of former President Jimmy Carter. It means that President-elect Donald Trump will not take the oath of office for his second term under a half-staff flag. It also mirrors actions taken in recent days by some Republican governors who have announced that flags in their states would also be raised on Inauguration Day. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have issued their own notices to temporarily raise flags.