Teen pleads guilty to North Carolina mass shooting that killed 5

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An 18-year-old has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and other charges for a mass shooting in North Carolina in 2022. The attack left five people dead, including the youth’s brother and a police officer. On Wednesday, Austin Thompson admitted to the crimes, avoiding an upcoming trial. His attorneys said this decision was to spare the community further trauma. A sentencing hearing is set for February. Thompson was 15 at the time of the crimes, so he cannot receive the death penalty. At issue is whether he’d be sentenced to life in prison without parole or could become eligible for parole decades from now.

Minneapolis businesses struggle during immigration enforcement surge

MINNEAPOLIS — Business in Minnesota has taken a hit as President Donald Trump’s administration carries out an immigration sweep that has spurred protests. Some staff and customers are staying home out of fear of immigration enforcement officers. And protesters are targeting businesses they see as aiding federal immigration enforcement. Countless stores have temporarily closed, canceled events or reduced hours. Some hotels that housed federal immigration officers and saw protests have stopped accepting reservations altogether. Minneapolis-based Target Corp. also has seen protests. The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities cited devastating economic impacts in a lawsuit imploring a federal judge to halt the immigration operations.

Former DEA agent sentenced to 5 years in prison for using badge to protect drug trafficking friends

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A former DEA agent has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for corruption. A jury convicted Joseph Bongiovanni of using his badge to protect childhood friends involved in drug trafficking in Buffalo, New York. On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo issued the sentence, which was less than the 15 years prosecutors sought. Bongiovanni was convicted of obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors said his actions caused significant damage over 11 years. The case also highlighted corruption within the DEA, with at least 17 agents facing federal charges in the past decade.

Snapchat messages key in trial for man accused in murder plot of Border Patrol leader

CHICAGO (AP) — Snapchat messages a Chicago man accused of soliciting the murder of a Border Patrol commander unknowingly sent to a government informant took center stage at the opening day of the man’s trial. Juan Espinoza Martinez faces one count of murder-for-hire in the first criminal trial from last year’s immigration crackdown in Chicago. Prosecutors allege Espinoza Martinez put a $10,000 bounty on the life of Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official behind the crackdown. But defense attorneys say Espinoza Martinez didn’t have that kind of money and the messages to his brother and friend-turned-informant were “neighborhood gossip.”