Attorney: Dylann Roof hearing should be open

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – An attorney for media outlets including The Associated Press argues that Monday’s competency hearing for convicted Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof should be open. Attorney Jay Bender filed an objection Friday to federal Judge Richard Gergel’s proposal to close the hearing, arguing there’s no compelling reason to exclude the public. Bender…

US slaps sanctions on Russia, expels 35 diplomats

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia’s interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts. The State Department also has kicked out 35 Russian diplomats from its embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco, giving them…

NY AG says Trump can’t dissolve foundation yet

WASHINGTON (AP) – The New York State attorney general’s office says Donald Trump must freeze his plan to dismantle his charitable foundation because state prosecutors are probing whether the president-elect personally benefited from its spending. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement Tuesday that the Donald J. Trump Foundation is still…