Shooting at Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky

Jarrett Connolly

In the early morning on April 10, a gunman walked into the Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky and opened fire, killing four and injuring eight. According to Louisville Metro Police, Officers arrived at the bank within minutes and exchanged fire with the suspect, who wounded two officers before dying at the scene. It is currently unclear whether he died in the shootout or from a self-inflicted wound. 

He has yet to be identified, but Louisville Metro Police Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told CNN that he appeared to be a former employee of the bank. Deputy Chief Humphrey also told reporters that the wounded were rushed to the hospital where one of the injured officers is in critical condition.

Old National CEO Jim Ryan posted on Facebook , “As we await more details, we are deploying employee assistance support and keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.” 

Mayor Craig Greenberg thanked first responders and sent his thoughts and prayers to those affected in a press conference. He also tweeted about a family assistance center for the victims and their families to receive updates.

In addition, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed condolences in a press conference, where he also revealed two of his friends were killed in the shooting, reported CNN. 

This is a developing situation and LMPD officials have promised to give the press more updates as the investigation begins and the wounded are treated in the hospital. 

Former Arkansas Governor Running for President 

Jarrett Connolly

On April 2, Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced he was running for President of the United States during an interview on ABC. Hutchinson joins businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary. 

Hutchinson served as Governor of Arkansas from 2015 to 2023. He previously served as a Congressman and the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency. Hutchinson is a conservative who signed a complete abortion ban and resumed executions within the state, but also has been one of the leading Republican critics of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and vetoed a bill that would have criminalized gender affirming care for minors.

Hutchinson asked Trump to step out of the race as a result of his arrest on April 4. Hutchinson hasn’t been featured in many polls for the GOP nomination but in a recent Fox News poll, he was at 1%, tied with several potential contenders and Ramaswamy. He has yet to receive any major endorsements, but that might change when he officially launches his campaign in Bentonville, Arkansas later this month. 

Republicans now await possible new entries into the primary including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former VP Mike Pence, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu,Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Donald Trump Indictment

Cameron Tomaino, Fiona Sullivan

On Friday March 31, former President Donald Trump was indicted on charges involving payments made during his 2016 campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with a porn actor, Stormy Daniels. This decision by a Grand Jury overseeing the case seems to be something that the former President was made aware of in advance, only weeks ago declaring over his social media that he expected to be arrested soon.

This will be the first time a former U.S. President has faced criminal charges. Yet this is far from a conviction, as Trump could seek to have a judge dismiss the case, and even if this goes to trial there is no guarantee of conviction. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case after what occurred on April 4 when Trump was indicted again with 34 felony counts of falsification of business records in the first degree, according to NPR.

 All of these charges still come as a result of the investigation into his relationship with Stormy Daniels. “Under New York state law, it is a felony to falsify business records with intent to defraud, intent to conceal another crime,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a news conference according to NPR. “That is exactly what this case is about: 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes. These are felony crimes in New York State no matter who you are. We cannot and will not normalize serious criminal conduct.”

The Trump team has energized his loyal base by painting the investigation as part of a larger, politically motivated plot to derail his candidacy, and his campaign raised $4 million in the 24 hours after the indictment became public. Though this kind of rhetoric raises concerns amongst some that this is the same kind of messaging that prompted the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Trump pleaded not guilty in the Manhattan criminal courtroom and his next court date will be on Dec. 4. While the prosecution wants to have the trial occur in January of 2024, the defense hopes to have it in spring of 2024. 

China Opens Borders After COVID-19

Katherine Zickel

On March 15, China announced they would resume issuing visas to tourists for the first time since the pandemic, including honoring valid visas issued before China closed its borders on March 28, 2020, according to BBC news.

This will put an end to having tourists quarantine upon arrival, officially ending their zero-covid policy, Reuters stated. 

In 2019, China logged 97.7 million trips made by foreigners into the country. In 2022, The Guardian reported that number is now at 4.5 million.

BBC also reported that there was an increase from 20 to 60 countries that Chinese citizens will now be allowed to travel in tour groups to. However, the list still excludes Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the U.S. Rising tensions due to the Chinese military still present in the South China Sea, as well as Russia and Ukraine issues, are possible explanations for this, according to The Guardian. 

CNN reported that Hong Kong and Macao are also reopening their borders with mainland China, making it much easier for families, separated for nearly three years, to begin visiting each other again.