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District attorney in Georgia election case against Trump and others seeks protections for jurors

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ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia prosecutor who has brought charges accusing former President Donald Trump and others of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state is asking the judge in the case to take steps to protect jurors.

The preemptory step by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis comes after the grand jurors who returned the 41-count indictment against Trump and 18 others were subjected to harassment when their information was posted online. It’s a reflection of the highly polarized feelings surrounding the criminal cases against the former president.

Willis wrote in a motion filed Wednesday that the grand jurors’ information was posted “with the intent to harass and intimidate them.” Additionally, the motion said, the personal information of Willis, a Black woman, and that of her family and staff have been posted online ”intertwined with derogatory and racist remarks.”

News cameras are frequently allowed in the courtroom for trial proceedings in Georgia, but video and still photographers are regularly instructed not to show images of the jury. During the jury selection process, the prospective jurors are typically referred to by number rather than by name.

Willis is asking Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to prohibit defendants, the news media or anyone else from creating or publishing images — including video, photos and drawings — of jurors or prospective jurors. She is also asking that the judge prohibit the publication of any information that would help identify them, “specifically physical descriptions, telephone numbers, addresses, employer names and membership affiliations.”

Legal experts have said it’s standard for indictments in Georgia to include the names of the grand jurors, in part because it provides defendants the opportunity to challenge the composition of the grand jury. So the names of the 23 grand jurors who heard the district attorney’s evidence and voted to approve charges were included on the indictment. They immediately became the victims of “doxxing,” which is short for “dropping dox” or documents, and refers to the online posting of information about someone, generally in an attempt to harass, threaten, shame or exact revenge.

It is “clearly foreseeable” that that would happen to trial jurors if their names were made public, and that could jeopardize their “ability to decide the issues before them impartially and without outside influence,” affecting the defendants’ right to a fair and impartial jury, Willis argued.

Attached to Willis’ motion were sworn statements from Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and an investigator in Willis’ office.

Schierbaum said that listings of the grand jurors’ information “called for harassment and violence against the grand jurors” and that his department worked with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies to ensure safety measures were put in place to protect them. Those efforts “require a significant devotion of our capacity and represent a strain on law enforcement resources to allow them to complete their civic duty without being subjected to unnecessary danger.”

Information about Willis and the grand jurors was posted on the dark web, a part of the internet hosted within an encrypted network and accessible only through specialized tools that provide anonymity, district attorney’s investigator Gerald Walsh wrote.

The site where the information was posted is hosted in Russia and is known by federal authorities to be “uncooperative with law enforcement.” Users who post on that site have made similar posts about other prosecutors, judges, federal employees and their families in other states as well, Walsh wrote.

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Trump Targets Birthright Citizenship, ‘Birth Tourism’ in New Immigration Actions

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WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — President Donald Trump announced new executive actions Thursday aimed at restricting birthright citizenship and curbing so-called “birth tourism,” renewing his administration’s effort to narrow who automatically becomes a U.S. citizen at birth.

Trump said he was signing two immigration-related actions, including one seeking to limit automatic U.S. citizenship for certain people born in the United States and another targeting foreign visitors who travel to the country for the purpose of giving birth.

The latest move represents another attempt by the Trump administration to reshape the application of birthright citizenship, a contentious constitutional issue that has generated extensive litigation.

New Order Takes Narrower Approach

The executive order released Thursday appears narrower than Trump’s previous attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.

The new action focuses on specific categories, including children born to certain people connected to foreign embassies or international organizations and those considered “alien enemies” of the United States.

The order also seeks to restrict automatic citizenship in cases involving parents who the administration determines “engaged in fraudulent activity to obtain citizenship.”

Trump said he believes the new approach is constitutional.

The latest action is expected to face close legal scrutiny over how far presidential authority extends in determining citizenship rights under the Constitution and federal law.

Trump Targets ‘Birth Tourism’

A separate executive action seeks to tighten restrictions on foreign visitors who obtain visas with the intention of traveling to the United States to give birth.

Trump described the practice as “birth tourism.”

The administration’s action seeks additional restrictions aimed at preventing visitors from using temporary entry into the United States primarily to secure U.S. citizenship for a child born while they are in the country.

Constitutional Fight Could Continue

Birthright citizenship is rooted in the 14th Amendment, which states that people born or naturalized in the United States “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” are citizens of the United States and the state where they reside.

The meaning and reach of that provision are central to the continuing legal debate over whether a president can restrict birthright citizenship through executive action without congressional legislation or a constitutional amendment.

It remains uncertain whether Trump’s latest approach will survive expected legal challenges.

The administration’s renewed effort signals that birthright citizenship will remain a significant part of Trump’s broader immigration agenda as the White House seeks to change how federal immigration and citizenship laws are applied.

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Sports

Talladega Superspeedway Announces 2027 NASCAR Race Dates as The Chase Returns

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TALLADEGA, Ala. (FNN SPORTS) — Talladega Superspeedway will once again play a pivotal role in NASCAR’s championship battle, with two race weekends scheduled for April and October 2027 at the legendary Alabama track.

NASCAR will return to Talladega April 24-25 and Oct. 29-31, 2027, giving fans two opportunities to experience racing on the superspeedway’s iconic high banks.

The October weekend will carry major championship implications as all three NASCAR national series compete at Talladega during The Chase.

Talladega’s Spring 2027 Weekend

Talladega’s traditional spring race weekend returns April 24-25, featuring the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Cup Series.

The weekend will provide drivers with an early-season opportunity to secure valuable points in one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable superspeedway races.

The schedule includes:

Saturday, April 24: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series races

Sunday, April 25: NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500

The Chase Returns to Talladega in October

The stakes will increase significantly when NASCAR returns to Talladega from Oct. 29-31, 2027, with championship contenders battling for position late in the season.

All three NASCAR national series will compete during the weekend, which is expected to play an important role in determining the drivers who remain in contention for their respective championships.

The October schedule includes:

Friday, Oct. 29: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225

Saturday, Oct. 30: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250

Sunday, Oct. 31: NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500

“It’s an honor for Talladega Superspeedway to continue to have two race weekends giving our fans multiple opportunities to experience high-stakes action at this incredible venue,” said Josh Harris, region president of Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway.

“Looking up into the grandstands and seeing the passion the fans have for NASCAR in the heart of Alabama is extremely rewarding and we look forward to seeing action-packed racing return next spring and fall.”

Carson Hocevar Earned Breakthrough Talladega Victory

Earlier this year, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar captured his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega, edging Chris Buescher in a dramatic finish.

The 23-year-old Michigan native celebrated the milestone by sitting on the window ledge of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet during a victory pass in front of the Talladega grandstands.

2026 YellaWood 500 Weekend Still Ahead

Before attention turns to 2027, Talladega will host another major weekend of racing this fall as part of The Chase.

The action begins Friday, Oct. 23, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series follows with The Progress Group 250 on Saturday, Oct. 24, before NASCAR Cup Series drivers take on Talladega’s famous 33-degree banking in the YellaWood 500 on Sunday, Oct. 25.

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Business

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Brings 47th Annual National Conference to Fort Worth Sept. 14-16

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FORT WORTH, Texas (FNN NEWS) — The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will bring its 47th Annual National Conference to Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 14-16, 2026, convening Hispanic business leaders, corporate executives, policymakers and entrepreneurs from across the country.

The three-day conference will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center and is expected to serve as a major national platform for business development, networking, economic opportunity and deal-making.

Nearly five decades after its launch, the USHCC National Conference has grown into what the organization describes as the nation’s largest gathering of Hispanic business decision-makers.

The selection of Fort Worth highlights the North Texas city’s growing position as a center for business, entrepreneurship and culture while providing a national stage for Hispanic-owned businesses and their economic impact.

Fort Worth Selected to Host 2026 National Conference

USHCC announced Fort Worth as the 2026 host following its 46th Annual National Conference in Atlanta.

“We are thrilled to bring the USHCC National Conference to Fort Worth in 2026,” said Jackie Puente, vice president of external affairs at Comcast and chairwoman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This city showcases the innovation, diversity, and economic impact of Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide. At Comcast, we are proud to support the USHCC’s mission of opening doors and creating opportunities for our community to thrive.”

Fort Worth business leaders also welcomed the opportunity to host the national gathering.

“Fort Worth is proud to host the USHCC National Conference in 2026,” said Ericka Garza, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This event highlights our city’s vibrant culture and the impact of Hispanic-owned businesses in driving economic growth.”

Connecting Hispanic Businesses With Opportunities

Connection building will be a major focus of the 2026 conference, with programming designed to bring business owners directly together with corporate executives, policymakers, industry leaders and potential partners.

Through curated networking opportunities and informal gatherings, participants will have opportunities to establish relationships that could lead to collaborations, contracts, partnerships and long-term business growth.

The conference also provides companies and organizations seeking to expand their engagement with Hispanic-owned businesses an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs and business leaders from markets across the United States.

National Leaders Take the Main Stage

The conference’s main-stage sessions will feature influential leaders and nationally recognized voices discussing major issues affecting business, entrepreneurship and economic advancement.

Sessions are expected to provide perspectives on economic trends, public policy, market opportunities and emerging challenges facing businesses.

The discussions are designed to help entrepreneurs and executives better understand changing markets and position their organizations for future opportunities.

Breakout Sessions Focus on Business Growth

Attendees will also have access to industry-focused breakout sessions featuring subject-matter experts addressing specific business challenges and opportunities.

The interactive sessions are designed to provide participants with practical strategies, tools and information they can apply to their companies and organizations.

Topics and speakers for the 2026 conference are expected to be announced as the event approaches.

Hispanic Businesses Take Center Stage in Fort Worth

The conference comes as Hispanic-owned businesses continue to play an increasingly important role in entrepreneurship, job creation and economic development across the United States.

For Fort Worth, hosting the national conference provides an opportunity to showcase the city’s business community while connecting local entrepreneurs with corporate and government decision-makers from across the country.

47th Annual USHCC National Conference
Dates: Sept. 14-16, 2026
Location: Fort Worth Convention Center
City: Fort Worth, Texas

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