Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Thursday.
Prosecutors show new evidence in Charlie Kirk killingBefore he was arrested and charged with killing Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson admitted to friends that he had assassinated the popular conservative activist and told his then-partner that he regretted doing so, according to new evidence prosecutors disclosed today in a Utah courtroom. The evidence included texts between Robinson, 23, and his romantic partner. In one, when asked if he was “the one who did it,” Robinson responded: “I am, I’m sorry.” In another he describes scheduling a text message to his partner to look under his keyboard, where Robinson had left a note disclosing his plans to kill Kirk. The prosecutors also played portions of an interview with Robinson’s former partner, who described Robinson’s demeanor after he returned to their apartment: “He started crying a little bit, and said he wishes he hadn’t done it.” The messages are crucial in part because prosecutors will use them to try to prove Robinson’s premeditation and motive. If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty. For more: Kirk’s widow and parents pleaded with a judge to allow the public to have more access to evidence in the case.
Meet the Mainers hoping to replace PlatnerMaine Democrats have just two and a half weeks to find a new candidate to challenge the Republican Susan Collins for a U.S. Senate seat she has held for almost 30 years. The party’s star candidate, Graham Platner, announced last night that he would withdraw his candidacy after facing a rape accusation he denies. His replacement will be selected in a nomination convention with more than 100 state party members. Nirav Shah, Shenna Bellows, Dan Kleban, Troy Jackson and Jordan Wood have announced their candidacy. All five unsuccessfully ran for Senate, House or Maine governor over the last year. Here’s what to know about them. For more: My colleagues have a behind-the-scenes look at the messy implosion of Platner’s campaign. It’s full of great reporting. (And we made it free for all Evening readers.)
The E.P.A. plans to roll back a Biden-era pollution ruleThe E.P.A. announced today that it would loosen limits on smog-causing pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, regulations that the agency’s leader has criticized as burdensome for the trucking industry. The changes mark the latest move by the Trump administration to reverse efforts by Joe Biden to speed the transition to electric vehicles. In other administration news:
China and Russia seek to inflame debate over data centersA comic strip blaming data centers for soaring electricity bills that circulated on social media this year was made to look as if it had been published by a Maryland news outlet. It was actually created in China using ChatGPT, according to its developer, OpenAI. The image was one of many recent examples of a push by foreign adversaries to further inflame the U.S. public debate around projects to power the A.I. boom. For more:
Wally Funk, who set an age record in space, dies at 87When Wally Funk was in her early 20s, she sought to join NASA’s inaugural group of astronauts. She passed the rigorous tests, but NASA decided it wasn’t going to send any women into space. Funk continued to fly, recording 19,000 hours in the air and becoming among the most accomplished female pilots of her time. Then, at 82, she became the oldest person to travel to space, taking a brief trip on a Blue Origin spacecraft. “I loved every minute of it,” said Funk, who died this week at 87. Another obituary worth checking out: Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer whose huge voice took “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to No. 1, died yesterday at 75. More top news
A new ‘Little House on the Prairie’Netflix is out today with an eight-episode adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 1935 classic. It’s more or less what you’d expect: The Ingallses climb into a covered wagon and take on hardships in the American heartland. However, this version introduces an Osage couple that challenges the family’s prejudices. Here’s our review. Creators of the show said they hope it can be unifying, but they’re aware criticism is coming. My colleague talked to the producers about the decisions they made.
Sometimes the best seat in the house is no seat at allThe artist Doug Aitken wants to give people the freedom to choose their own perspective on his latest 65-minute film and music installation, “Lightscape.” So he doesn’t offer any seating. The show is among the more refined experiences in New York that borrow the playground informality associated with entertainment spaces like the Museum of Ice Cream. My colleague Alexis Soloski talked to guests about whether the potential bruise is worth it.
Dinner table topics
Bake this olive oil zucchini bread and serve it with a thick swipe of cream cheese. Read one of these novels about living in the 1960s. Use your phone as a personal health dashboard. Here’s how. Solve your neck pain with a better pillow. |
