YOUR MORNING

‘Shocking and outrageous’: American Airlines says a legal filing blaming a 9-year-old whom a former flight attendant is accused of secretly recording inside a plane bathroom was made in error. In the initial court document, American Airlines’ attorney suggested the child should have known there was a recording device, but an attorney representing the child blasted the tactic. “To blame a 9-year-old for being filmed while using the airplane bathroom is both shocking and outrageous,” the defense attorney said. American Airlines said: “Our outside legal counsel retained with our insurance company made an error in this filing. The included defense is not representative of our airline.” Read more > 

Background: The families of two children are suing American Airlines and the ex-employee accused of recording them, Estes Carter Thompson III. He was arrested after a 14-year-old girl on a September 2023 flight said she noticed red stickers across the underside of the open toilet seat that were concealing an iPhone. Investigators say Thompson had recordings of four girls that were taken inside plane bathrooms. He was indicted on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor. He entered a not guilty plea Monday. Full breakdown > 

IVF: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has introduced a bill he says would protect in vitro fertilization. “This bill is designed to create a federal right — a federal protection to IVF,” Cruz told NewsNation’s “On Balance.” The bill from Cruz and Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., would cut Medicaid funding to any state that bans IVF, while also ensuring that organizations or health care providers within states aren’t required to provide access. Details > 

What’s going on: Calling it “strong punishment” for Taiwan’s “separatist acts,” China has begun a two-day military exercise that encircles the island nation, according to state media. The exercise named “Joint Sword-2024A” comes three days after Taiwan’s new president assumed office. Taiwan says it placed its military on “high alert” in response to China’s drills, which are expected to last through Friday. Read more > 

Bird flu: A Michigan dairy worker was diagnosed with bird flu, marking the second human case associated with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows. The worker had been in contact with cows at a farm with infected animals. Health officials said he experienced mild eye symptoms and has recovered. Full report > 

What is bird flu? Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is an infection from a type of influenza virus that usually spreads in birds and other animals, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The virus usually spreads in birds but can also infect humans if they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid, “like spit, respiratory droplets or feces,” the medical center said. A bird flu virus has been spreading among more animal species since 2020, and the virus has been confirmed in at least 51 dairy herds in nine states, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Read more > 

 WHAT WE’RE WATCHING 👀

We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media!

• President Joe Biden hosts Kenyan President William Ruto for an official state visit.

• A court hearing is set for Rakim Mayers, also known as A$AP Rocky, who is charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm with allegations of personally using a firearm.

• Thursday marks 90 years since bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were killed in a police ambush near their hideout in Louisiana.

• A House committee holds a hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. 
  

NEWS ACROSS AMERICA

A Tennessee judge on Wednesday halted the auction of Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion. Presley’s cousin says no one will take the historic home > 

Residents in Crook County, Oregon, approved the “Greater Idaho” measure that endorses efforts to secede from the state and join Idaho. Full breakdown > 

An investigation is underway after a suspicious substance sent to the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., prompted a temporary lockdown and evacuation Wednesday. What to know > 

One of three men charged with murder in connection with the shooting at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade and rally earlier this year said he’s “truly sorry” in a new interview. Watch > 

A 50-year-old Ohio man is being held in jail and facing a felony cruelty to animals charge after his dog died in a hot car. The investigation > 

The California State Assembly passed a bill requiring adult websites to verify the ages of their visitors. Read more > 

Hundreds of Florida lottery winners say the Sunshine State is illegally withholding their winnings due to a system error that makes it appear they were overpaid in unemployment benefits. The latest > 

An Illinois brewhouse is offering a cicada-infused liquor shot. Yes, you read that right. Full story > 

Running a business demands dedication and hard work, but for one preteen in Hawaii, it’s about realizing big dreams and nurturing an even bigger heart. After 11-year-old Sadie Yu’s little brother was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation, she decided to help her family by starting Sweetheart Farm, which sells farm-fresh products like eggs, lilikoi butter and pepper jellies. Read more > 

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