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Prosecutors request indefinite delay in trial for Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh

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Federal prosecutors requested an indefinite delay Wednesday in scheduling the trial for the man charged in an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last month, citing a massive amount of evidence they’ve gathered in the 17 days since Ryan Routh’s arrest.

In a filing Wednesday afternoon requesting Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon officially designate Routh’s case as “complex,” prosecutors revealed new details about the scope of evidence they’ve amassed as they try to further gain insight into Routh’s actions leading up to his suspected attempt to kill Trump.

“Over the past two weeks, the United States has interviewed hundreds of witnesses,” prosecutors said in the filing. “It has also executed 13 search warrants in Florida, Hawaii, and North Carolina, and seized hundreds of items of evidence, including multiple electronic devices.”

SEE ALSO: Ryan Routh pleads not guilty to charges alleging attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Investigators reportedly have more than 100 outstanding subpoena returns in connection with the investigation, the filing states, and they estimate they have “thousands of videos to review” from the large volume of electronic devices seized thus far.

“All videos, still images, text files, and audio files constitute approximately 4,000 terabytes (4 million gigabytes) of digital review to complete,” the filing says.

The FBI also continues to conduct forensic tests on other evidence, including “ballistics testing, and fingerprint and DNA comparisons,” which will likely require them to prepare several expert witnesses to testify about in advance of Routh’s eventual trial.

The filing states Routh’s defense attorneys did not oppose the government’s request to indefinitely delay his trial date.

Routh, 58, appeared in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday for his arraignment on attempted assassination charges. Routh’s lawyers entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

SEE ALSO: Ryan Wesley Routh | What we know about the suspect in Trump ‘attempted assassination’

Routh had previously been charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number for the incident that took place at Trump International Golf Club on Sept. 15.

On the day of the alleged attempted assassination, Trump was playing golf on the course when a Secret Service agent spotted a gun barrel poking out from the tree line near the sixth green, according to investigators.

The agent then fired in the direction of the rifle and saw Routh fleeing the area and entering his nearby vehicle, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case.

Mayorkas warns FEMA doesn’t have enough funding to last through hurricane season

The Federal Emergency Management Agency can meet immediate needs but does not have enough funding to make it through the hurricane season, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters Wednesday.

The agency is being stretched as it works with states to assess damage from Hurricane Helene and delivers meals, water, generators and other critical supplies. The storm struck Florida last week, then plowed through several states in the Southeast, flooding towns and killing more than 160 people.

Mayorkas was not specific about how much additional money the agency may need, but his remarks on Air Force One underscored concerns voiced by President Joe Biden and some lawmakers earlier this week that Congress may need to pass a supplemental spending bill this fall to help states with recovery efforts.

“We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting,” Mayorkas said. “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season.”

Hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30, but most hurricanes typically occur in September and October.

Congress recently replenished a key source of FEMA’s response efforts, providing $20 billion for the agency’s disaster relief fund as part of a short-term government spending bill to fund the government through Dec. 20. The bill also gave FEMA flexibility to draw on the money more quickly as needed.

Both chambers of Congress are scheduled, however, to be in their home states and districts until after the election, as lawmakers focus on campaigning.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., gave no hint he was considering changing that schedule during a speech Tuesday. He said that Congress just provided FEMA with the funds it needs to respond and that lawmakers would make sure those resources are appropriately allocated.

A bipartisan group of Senators from affected states wrote their leadership this week saying it’s clear Congress must act to meet constituents’ needs. They said that may even require Congress to come back in October, ahead of the election.

Mayorkas made his comments as Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris fanned out across the Southeast to witness the damage from the hurricane and seek to demonstrate commitment and competence in helping devastated communities. Biden is heading to North and South Carolina, while Harris is going to Georgia.

More than 150,000 households have registered for assistance with FEMA, and that number is expected to rise rapidly in the coming days, said Frank Matranga, an agency representative.

The devastation was especially severe in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where at least 57 people died in and around Asheville, North Carolina, a tourism haven known for its art galleries, breweries and outdoor activities.

“Communities were wiped off the map,” North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, said at a news conference Tuesday.

Help people affected by Hurricane Helene. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Donate now at redcross.org/abc.

Astros swept by Tigers in AL Wild Card Series in potential final game for Bregman in Astros uniform

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Astros’ hopes for a deep 2024 postseason run are now over. On Wednesday afternoon, Houston fell in a 5-2 defeat to the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.

After five scoreless innings, Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows scored the first home run of the game to snap the scoring drought and put Detroit ahead of Houston 1-0 early in the sixth inning. In the seventh inning, Houston took a 2-1 lead after an opportunity with bases loaded after Jeremy Peña slid across home plate to score a run vs. Detroit.

In the top of the eighth inning, Detroit answered to tie the game 2-2 after Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter scored a run. The Tigers bounced back after a three-run score for a 5-2 lead over Houston.

Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown left the game in the top of the sixth inning after recording nine strikeouts. Furthermore, Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series marked the 26 year-old Detroit native’s first postseason start.

Bregman’s future with or without the Astros?

Now, “the elephant in the room” for the Astros is whether third baseman Alex Bregman stays or departs from the franchise. The 30-year-old LSU product was drafted by the ‘Stros with the second pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. As an Astro, Bregman has achieved various accolades including 2 World Series Championships (2017 and 2022) and 2 All-Star selections. He even launched his own food brand called Breggy Bomb. Bregman is set to enter free agency once the offseason begins. If Bregman decides to leave Houston, only Jose Altuve and Lance McCullers Jr. will be the remaining players left since the 2017 World Series run.

JV’s farewell to baseball?

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander was left off of Houston’s playoff roster for the first-round playoff series against Detroit. Coincidentally, Verlander was drafted as by the Tigers in the 2004 MLB Draft. As an Astro, he earned two World Series championships (2017 and 2022). He is a future Hall of Famer and currently the oldest active player in the league at 41 years old. Verlander is set to test free agency once the offseason begins.

Despite Houston’s postseason run cut short, the Astros wrapped up their regular season with their fourth consecutive American League West title. Houston finished 88-73 for the regular season under first-year Astros manager Joe Espada. Astros players Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Kyle Tucker were selected for the 2024 MLV All-Star Game, which was held in Arlington, Texas.

HCSO investigating death of woman whose body was found in a northeast Harris County field

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HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A woman’s death is under investigation after authorities said her body was found in an empty field on Wednesday in northeast Harris County.

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the discovery was made at about 7:35 a.m. in the 100 block of Subsea Lane. A landscaping service was mowing the yard when they found the woman lying in the grass.

Sgt. Jason Brown said there are “obviously some suspicious circumstances” surrounding her death, but he said they do not have a lot to go off of yet.

The woman is believed to be in her 20s or 30s and does not appear to be homeless, according to law enforcement. They have not been able to positively identify her yet.

While Brown said the woman does not have any obvious signs of trauma, he said sometimes that will be revealed later during an autopsy.

Based on what they saw Wednesday morning, Brown said they believed the woman came out to the field with the help of someone else.

The medical examiner will make the ruling on her manner and cause of death and work to identify her. Brown said they will work off of that information once it is available.

Bank of America is down: Customers report widespread outage

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Bank of America customers report having trouble accessing their bank accounts on Wednesday.

Reports about a problem at Bank of America spiked around 12:45 pm ET on Downdetector, which collects data on outages.

Many customers complained they could not see their account balances. Some who could access their accounts were startled to see zero balances.

A Bank of America branch stands in Manhattan on March 15, 2023 in New York City. Bank of America customers report having trouble accessing their bank accounts on Wednesday.
A Bank of America branch stands in Manhattan on March 15, 2023 in New York City. Bank of America customers report having trouble acces…Show moreSpencer Platt/Getty Images/File via CNN Newsource

Bank of America did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Multiple CNN employees with Bank of America accounts could not log into their accounts online. A message displayed for one Bank of America customer said the current balance amount for one or multiple accounts “may be temporarily unavailable.”

“Five accounts show zero balance, over 20K,” one Bank of America customer on Downdetector wrote.

Another said he can’t log in but his wife can and her accounts display no balance.

“Shows my debt just fine tho,” another user said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Mexico’s 1st female president takes office: Claudia Sheinbaum makes history

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Claudia Sheinbaum takes office on Oct. 1, 2024 in Mexico City’s Legislative Palace of San Lazaro. Courtesy: claudia_shein on Instagram.

By Indira Zaldivar & Edward Saenz

Claudia Sheinbaum made history on Tuesday as Mexico’s first female president, as well as the first president of Jewish heritage. A former mayor of Mexico City and a climate scientist with a PhD in energy engineering, Sheinbaum’s victory marked a significant shift in Mexican politics.

“Honorable congress of the union and people of Mexico, I promise to keep … the political constitution of the United States of Mexico and…laws. and perform loyally and patriotically the office of president of the republic” Sheinbaum said in Spanish during her swear-in ceremony.

She won the June 2 election with nearly 60% of the vote, defeating Xóchitl Gálvez and Jorge Álvarez Máynez. A member of the leftist Morena party, Sheinbaum is expected to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Her inauguration took place at Mexico City’s Legislative Palace of San Lázaro, where over 100 notable figures, including U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, attended. As she begins her six-year term, Sheinbaum faces major challenges, including escalating violence, economic struggles, and tensions with the U.S. over judicial reforms. According to Time, these reforms are feared to “undermine democratic checks and balances.”

Notably, Sheinbaum’s presidency comes 70 years after Mexican women gained the right to vote. Despite gender equality strides—such as the 50-50 gender split in Congress since 2018—violence against women remains a significant issue.

Sheinbaum joins the ranks of other prominent female leaders worldwide, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and India’s President Droupadi Murmu.

Houston Astros enter rare early elimination game after loss in Wild Card opener vs. Detroit Tigers

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Astros are entering rare territory – a postseason elimination game before the American League Championship Series.

On Tuesday, a packed Minute Maid Park crowd watched the Detroit Tigers jump on Houston’s starting pitcher Framber Valdez early with a three-run second inning to propel the final AL playoff entrant to a Wild Card Series Game 1 win.

In contrast, the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal tamed Astros batters, limiting them to four hits, none of them for extra bases, across six innings.

The bats woke up when Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, and Yainer Diaz registered the first three hits of the ninth inning while down by three runs. Houston plated the first run of their afternoon at that time, but it was too little, too late. With bases loaded and two outs, Jason Heyward lined out to Spencer Torkelson to end the game. The Astros drop Game 1, 3-1.

The outing was Valdez’s fourth consecutive postseason defeat dating back to last year’s AL Division Series.

The loss sets up something the Astros haven’t encountered in nine seasons: an elimination game in the Wild Card round. Since 2015, the Astros are 9-8 in playoff elimination games, most happening in the AL Championship Series or the World Series.

The only other time they’ve faced elimination in the Wild Card was in 2015 against the New York Yankees when that round was a one-game series.

Houston currently holds a streak of seven ALCS appearances. Hunter Brown, a Michigan native, is slated to start on the mound for the Astros in Game 2.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña forces out Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson at second but is unable to throw out Parker Meadows on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña forces out Detroit Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson at second but is unable to throw out Parker Meadows o…Show moreAP Photo/Kevin M. Cox

Minute Maid Park hosts the Tigers again for Game 2 on Wednesday. ABC13 will air the do-or-die game for the Astros at 1:30 p.m.

You can tune in to Channel 13 on television in the Houston area.

You can stream ABC13 if you also have Hulu + Live TV.

Diddy case: Attorney says 120 accusers allege sexual misconduct against Sean Combs

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HOUSTON — An attorney said Tuesday he is representing 120 accusers who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Houston attorney Tony Buzbee said he expects lawsuits to be filed within the next month. Buzbee described the victims as 60 males and 60 females, and that 25 were minors at the time of the alleged misconduct.

Following the news conference in Texas, an attorney for Combs said the performer “cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus.”

“That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors,” attorney Erica Wolff said in a statement. “He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court if and when claims are filed and served, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.”

SEE ALSO: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs indictment explained: Alleged ‘Freak-offs,’ drugs and prostitution

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Combs, 54, has been locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty Sept. 17 to federal charges that he used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed “Freak Offs.”

Buzbee has also represented women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.

Other alleged victims have already filed lawsuits against Combs that include allegations of sexual assault.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. His attorney said he is innocent and will fight to clear his name.

Attorney Erica Wolf said in a statement, “As Mr. Combs’ legal team has emphasized, he cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus. That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors. He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court if and when claims are filed and served, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.”

Combs is appealing a federal judge’s decision to keep him in jail while he awaits trial.

Combs is one of the best-known music executives, producers and performers across hip-hop, having won three Grammys and worked with artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112. He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, the influential fashion line Sean John, a vodka brand and the Revolt TV network. He sold off his stake in the latter company in June of this year.

ABC News contributed to this report.

Claudia Sheinbaum toma protesta como la primera presidenta de México

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Claudia Sheinbaum tomó protesta este martes como la primera presidenta de México, ante gritos y vítores de apoyo por parte de sus simpatizantes y junto al ahora expresidente, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

La investidura se realizó en el Palacio Legislativo de San Lázaro, donde la sesión comenzó alrededor de las 09:00 horas y Sheinbaum recibió la banda presidencial de la mano de AMLO, quien la pasó a la presidenta de la Mesa Directiva de la Cámara de Diputados, Ifigenia Martínez y esta la cedió a la presidenta.

Antes de recibir la banda, la nueva mandataria rindió protesta, convirtiéndose en la primera mujer que llega al cargo en los 200 años de la nación, además de ser la presidenta número 66 en la historia de México.

Esta ceremonia contó con la presencia de decenas de presidentes, vicepresidentes y representantes de países alrededor del mundo, nombres que Sheinbaum pronunció al comienzo de su discurso que se extendió por cerca de 50 minutos.

Además de agradecer a la administración de López Obrador, a quien describió como el presidente “más querido” e “importante” de la historia moderna de México, también subrayó la llegada de las mujeres al poder.

“No llego sola, llegamos todas”, declaró Sheinbaum mientras los asistentes gritaban “¡presidenta, presidenta!”, en el lugar.

Aunado a ello, la presidenta señaló algunos de los compromisos de su gobierno, cuyo periodo abarcará del 2024 al 2030, además de “continuar” con los esfuerzos de AMLO en la llamada cuarta transformación del país.

Entre ellos, Claudia adelantó que buscará sostener una relación de cooperación con Estados Unidos, Canadá, los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe, así como el resto de aliados en el resto del mundo. 

Respecto al transporte, Sheinbaum mencionó el plan de las ocho líneas de trenes de pasajeros, uno de los proyectos más ambiciosos que tendrá su gobierno, pues, conectará el AIFA con Pachuca, la CDMX con Querétaro, León y Aguascalientes; CDMX con Querétaro y Guadalajara; Tepic con Mazatlán y Nogales; CDMX con San Luis Potosí, Monterrey y Nuevo Laredo y la CDMX con Puebla y Veracruz.

Por otro lado, se comprometió a no subir el precio de la gasolina y el resto de combustibles y aumentar el salario mínimo en “2.5 canastas básicas”. 

Luego de la toma de protesta, Sheinbaum convocó a sus simpatizantes a un evento masivo que se realizará a las 16:00 horas en el Zócalo de la Ciudad de México, en el que será acompañada por el resto de representantes de Morena.

What to know ahead of tonight’s vice presidential debate as Vance, Walz go head-to-head

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance are set to hold their only scheduled vice-presidential debate on Tuesday.

The pair will face off just a few weeks after former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris sparred at the ABC News presidential debate.

The vice-presidential debate is a chance for both Walz and Vance to show their political chops, tout their running mates’ plans for the nation and introduce themselves to Americans after months spent crisscrossing the country campaigning.

Here’s what to know about the debate and how to tune in.

How to watch the debate

The vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News is set for 9 p.m. ET Tuesday, Oct. 1 in New York City.

The 90-minute debate will air on CBS and be simulcast on the ABC network and stream on ABC News Live.

ABC pre-debate coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET; post-debate ABC News coverage will go on until 11 p.m. ET.

ABC News Live, ABC News’ 24/7 streaming news channel, will provide full coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET and run through 12 a.m. ET.

Who is moderating the VP debate?

The debate will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator and CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan.

VP debate rules

CBS News announced the debate rules on Friday.

The Walz-Vance debate, like the Harris-Trump debate, will be in a studio without an audience but unlike that debate, the candidates’ mics will not be routinely muted when it’s not their turn to speak — but the moderators will retain the ability to do so.

How are the candidates preparing?

To prepare for the debate, Vance has turned to Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer to help him in debate rehearsals by playing Walz, sources told ABC News. The Ohio senator has also had sessions with his team and Jason Miller, a senior advisor on Trump’s campaign.

Also, Vance has spent the last month reviewing debate plans, strategies and potential questions, according to a source familiar with the senator’s debate preparations.

Walz has also held some mock debates with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acting as a Vance stand-in, sources told ABC News. Walz has also held policy sessions with his own longtime aides, Biden White House alumni and members of the Harris-Walz campaign team.

Walz has also been practicing on the road as he campaigns, sources said.