promoearn: Should the Mar-a-Lago affidavit be released?

Thursday, August 18

Should the Mar-a-Lago affidavit be released?

Feds say releasing it could cause "harm."

Lawyers for media companies will ask a federal magistrate judge to make public the affidavit supporting the warrant that allowed FBI agents to search Mar-a-Lago. The U.S. announced it will hold trade talks with Taiwan despite recent strife with Beijing. Keep reading for the latest from Hollywood – and some really cute mullets.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert. Let's dive into Thursday's news.

🌅 Up first: A Texas school district pulled over 40 books, including the Bible, from shelves amid a review. The decision came amid an uptick in book bans in schools and libraries across the country. The American Library Association, which tracks book challenges and bans, reported a more than doubling of challenges in 2021 from 2020, with actual numbers likely being much higher. Read more

Mar-a-Lago search: Media lawyers seek full affidavit

At a hearing on Thursday, attorneys for more than a dozen media companies are expected to acknowledge the U.S. Justice Department's concerns that the release of the entire probable cause affidavit in the search of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate could "irreparably harm" its ongoing investigation, said attorney Martin Reeder, who represents The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network. Rather than sealing the entire document, as prosecutors want, they will ask U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart to release as much information as possible. Here's what else we know.

The takeaway: Federal prosecutors and media companies are at odds over what information should be made public.

•	What's in the affidavit? Court documents say the affidavit contains "highly sensitive information" witnesses, investigation strategy and "information required by law to be kept under seal."
•	How we got here: The DOJ search warrant showed Trump being probed in connection with espionage statutes. But now media companies are asking the court for the affidavit to learn why the search of Mar-a-Lago was initiated.

More news on Trump investigations:

•	Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg is expected to plead guilty in a NY tax case.
•	Perspective: Stop complaining about the FBI's Trump search and pay attention to Georgia. That's the crime.
•	In the Georgia investigation: One day after Rudy Giuliani testified, Gov. Brian Kemp has been asked to speak. He won't if his lawyers can help it.

In this image taken from video, Rudy Giuliani is pushed in a wheel chair at New York's JFK airport after returning from Atlanta, where he faced hours of questioning before a special grand jury investigating attempts by former President Donald Trump and others to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia, Wednesday Aug. 17, 2022.

Larry Neumeister, AP

More news to know now:

•	🚤 A Georgia man was indicted on 10 counts of homicide for a Memorial Day weekend boat crash that killed 5.
•	⚠ Actor Anne Heche's death was ruled an accident.
•	👉 Staff at Boston Children's Hospital have been harassed and threatened over gender-affirming care programs.
•	🟡 Ukraine is worried about a ''large number'' of Russian missiles in Belarus.

🎧 On today's 5 Things podcast, investigative reporter Kenny Jacoby looks at universities failing to meet Title IX standards. You can listen to the podcast every day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your smart speaker.

Mass killings database reveals trends, details and anguish in every US event since 2006

Over the past decade, USA TODAY, along with Northeastern University and The Associated Press, has been tracking all mass killings in the United States. The horror and tragedy of mass shootings in American schools, churches and other public places capture the nation's attention. But these are only part of the larger violence of mass killings – deaths by guns, knives, fires, vehicles and other weapons in public and in private – that plague the U.S., research shows. This is what we have learned.

•	Are gun advertisements in FTC's crosshairs? Critics decry ''toxic'' messaging as firearm sales soar.
•	The US is investing millions to stop gun deaths. Is it going to the right communities?

The number of mass killings in 2022 is about average compared with previous years despite recent shootings that captured public attention. The number of victims is somewhat higher than average but still below previous highs.

USA TODAY

Just for subscribers:

•	🏠 What is a land contract? Here are advantages, disadvantages of the homeownership practice.
•	🛑 Liz Cheney teased a White House run, but her biggest impact on the GOP could come through other paths.
•	🌊 The calm before the storms: Why 2022's hurricane season won't stay quiet much longer.
•	🖋 USA TODAY Opinion: Presidential records belong to the American people, not former presidents.

These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here. Already a subscriber and want premium content emailed to you every day? We can do that! Sign up for the Your Day newsletter.

US to hold trade talks with Taiwan in new show of support amid tensions with Beijing

The U.S. government will hold talks with Taiwan on a trade treaty in a new sign of support for the self-ruled island democracy China claims as its own territory. The announcement Thursday comes after Beijing launched military drills that included firing missiles into the seas around Taiwan in an attempt to intimidate the island after a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month. The announcement by the U.S. Trade Representative made no mention of tension with Beijing but said the negotiations were meant to enhance trade and regulatory cooperation, a step that would entail closer official interaction. Read more

•	Also this week: Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen met Monday with a five-member delegation of U.S. Congress members, prompting to China announce more military drills.

Taiwanese soldiers operate a Oerlikon 35mm twin cannon anti-aircraft gun at a base in Taiwan's southeastern Hualien county on Thursday.

Johnson Lai, AP

Texas Tech has 'disturbing pattern' in women's athletics

For the third time in less than two years, the head coach of a women's sport at Texas Tech has left the school under the cloud of an investigation and allegations of mistreatment of athletes. The school announced the departure of Todd Petty, the winningest coach in the history of the women's tennis program in June. Petty's exit comes after an investigation by USA TODAY Sports, in conjunction with The Intercollegiate and published in August 2020, revealed women's basketball players describing a toxic culture. The fallout from that investigation has been quick and widespread as other athletes came forward. Read more

•	Read our original investigation: Texas Tech women's basketball players describe toxic culture.

Texas Tech head coach Todd Petty looks on during the match against Oklahoma State on Friday, April 1, 2022, at McLeod Tennis Center in Lubbock, Texas.

John Moore, For the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

ICYMI: Some of our top stories yesterday

•	❓ 10 House Republicans voted to impeach Trump: Where are they now?
•	🟣 A man was appointed as a menstrual health lead in Scotland. Critics bashed the move.
•	👁 Former Pennsylvania judges who ran a kids-for-cash jail scheme were ordered to pay more than $200 million to people they victimized.
•	💰 Teachers often buy school supplies themselves. In 2023, they can deduct $50 more on their taxes.

Movie moment: In 'She-Hulk,' she's big, green, and one heck of lawyer

Marvel is finally tackling the personal and professional lives of a 30-something woman, who happens to be a 6-foot-7 muscular green powerhouse and a skilled lawyer. The new legal comedy series "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law" breaks the mold of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – as well as the fourth wall – with a female superhero who becomes famous due to her sudden (and unwanted) powers. Tatiana Maslany stars as attorney Jennifer Walters and her emerald alter ego as She-Hulk hangs with friends, navigates the world of modern dating and punches people in a courtroom as needed. Read more

Check our the latest from our entertainment reporters:

•	Is the police investigation into Alec Baldwin's ''Rust'' shooting almost over?
•	A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty to felony firearm assault charges following a 2021 confrontation in Hollywood.
•	Exclusive interview: The Goo Goo Dolls are back on the road after a two-year hiatus amid the pandemic.
•	Here are 10 magical movie moments we can't stop talking about this summer.

Tatiana Maslany stars as a lawyer who also transformers into a green powerhouse in Disney+'s "She-Hulk: Attorney At Law."

CHUCK ZLOTNICK/MARVEL STUDIOS

📷 Photo of the day: Meet the finalists of the USA Mullet Championships 📷

From spiky tops to patterns shaved on the sides, homegrown cuts belonging to three dozen minors across the country have made it to the final round of the USA Mullet Championships. Finalists from 16 states hope to take home the title of best mullet in the nation for their age divisions and a $2,500 cash prize.

Click here to see photos of the year's high-competition mullets.

Axel Wenzel, 5, of Brillion is pictured on Aug. 3, 2022, outside Hemlock Creek Elementary School in the Town of Lawrence, Wis. Wenzel is a finalist in the 2022 USA Mullet Championships.

Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY. Send her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.