In a closely watched legal fight over press freedom and presidential access, a federal appeals court on Friday handed The Associated Press (AP) an incremental loss in its effort to regain full access to President Trump’s events.

By a 2-1 vote, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington sided with the Trump administration, granting a stay that pauses enforcement of a lower court ruling. That ruling had found the administration improperly punished AP for its reporting—specifically, for continuing to use the term “Gulf of Mexico” instead of Trump’s preferred “Gulf of America.”

What’s the Issue?

AP, a news agency with a nearly 180-year history and global reach, had long been part of the “pool” of reporters allowed to cover the president in tight quarters like the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One. But in February, after AP refused to adopt Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, the administration reduced the news outlet’s access, cutting back the presence of AP reporters at these key events.

The Court’s Take

Judges Gregory G. Katsas and Neomi Rao, both Trump appointees, ruled that the president has broad discretion to decide who can enter private spaces like the Oval Office and Air Force One. Crucially, they agreed that Trump could consider a journalist’s viewpoint in making these decisions — a legal principle known as “viewpoint discrimination.”

Judge Rao explained, “If the president sits down for an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, he is not required to do the same with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.” The majority opinion emphasized that the First Amendment does not limit the president’s choice of whom to speak with or grant special access.

The stay will remain in place while the court prepares for a full appeal review, likely several months away, when a different panel of judges will hear the case.

The Dissent

Judge Cornelia T.L. Pillard, appointed by former President Obama, strongly disagreed. In her dissent, she warned that allowing the president to exclude journalists based on viewpoint sets a dangerous precedent. She pointed out that this reasoning could lead future administrations to only permit friendly media outlets into press spaces—Republicans favoring Fox News, Democrats favoring MSNBC.

“Each and every member of the White House press corps would hesitate to publish anything an incumbent administration might dislike,” Pillard wrote. She argued there’s no sound reason to treat the Oval Office as exempt from standard First Amendment protections against viewpoint discrimination.

A Longstanding Struggle Between Trump and the Press

The tussle between Trump and the media has been ongoing. Since the initial ruling, the White House has implemented a rotation system for smaller events, usually including AP photographers but limiting text reporters’ presence. Meanwhile, Trump has engaged more frequently with small, friendly media groups in the Oval Office rather than holding traditional press conferences, where AP journalists typically attend.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt celebrated the court’s ruling on social media, calling it a “VICTORY!” and claiming it opens access to a broader range of media beyond the “failing legacy media.” Trump himself posted on Truth Social, mocking AP for refusing to adopt his term “Gulf of America” and branding them “FAKE NEWS.”

What’s Next?

AP spokesman Patrick Maks expressed disappointment with the ruling and said the organization is exploring its options, including seeking expedited review of the full case.

As the legal battle continues, the case raises significant questions about the balance between the president’s authority over access to private presidential spaces and the fundamental free-press protections enshrined in the First Amendment.

Judge Rao’s majority opinion summed up the stakes: “The Oval Office is the President’s office, over which he has absolute control and discretion to exclude the public or members of the press.”

Source: AP News – Appeals court hands AP an incremental loss in its attempt to regain its access to Trump events

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Little River, S.C. — A Sunday night shooting near a boat dock in the coastal community of Little River left at least 11 people hospitalized, as authorities work to piece together what led to the violence.

The incident unfolded around 9:30 p.m. near the Intracoastal Waterway, a popular spot not far from Myrtle Beach. According to the Horry County Police Department, multiple people were taken to area hospitals — some arriving on their own in private vehicles — though officials have not yet shared the extent of the injuries or the identities of those involved.

Roughly 90 minutes after the shooting, police announced the situation was considered an isolated incident and that there was no ongoing threat to the public. However, key questions remain unanswered, including who was responsible and what may have sparked the gunfire. As of now, no suspects have been named and no arrests reported.

The chaotic scene saw a heavy emergency response, with video footage showing dozens of police cruisers and ambulances flooding the area. In a separate and unfortunate twist, a North Myrtle Beach police officer responding to the incident accidentally shot himself in the leg while at a marina roughly three miles from the original scene. He was hospitalized and is in stable condition, according to city spokesperson Lauren Jessie.

Little River, known for its quiet waterfront charm, sits about 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach. The incident has rattled the local community, as residents await further updates from law enforcement.

Police continue to investigate, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Source: AP News – At least 11 hurt in South Carolina beach town shooting

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LAS VEGAS — What began as a typical afternoon at a popular gym on the west side of Las Vegas quickly turned into a scene of terror and tragedy Friday, as a gunman opened fire inside the Las Vegas Athletic Club (LVAC), killing one person and injuring three others before being shot and killed by police outside the facility.

The incident unfolded shortly before 4 p.m. at the busy fitness center located near Rainbow Boulevard and Alta Drive. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Undersheriff Andrew Walsh, officers responded to reports of a shooting and arrived to find chaos unfolding inside the gym.

Gunfire Erupts Inside the Gym

Witnesses described a scene of panic as shots rang out near the workout equipment area. One man was fatally shot inside the building, Walsh confirmed, while gym-goers scrambled to escape or take cover.

Claudio Vigani, who was working out at the time, told KLAS-TV he heard the commotion and people yelling for others to run. “They said ‘Get out, get out, get out,’” Vigani recalled. “Then I saw the dead guy next to the machine.”

Walsh said officers encountered the armed suspect exiting the building. The man was shot by police after reportedly failing to comply with commands and posing an immediate threat. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The identity of the suspect has not been publicly released as of Saturday morning.

Multiple Victims Rushed to Hospitals

Three other individuals were injured during the shooting. All were transported to nearby hospitals, and one remains in critical condition. Police did not specify whether all the injuries were caused by gunfire or if some occurred during the rush to evacuate the building.

Emergency responders worked swiftly to secure the area, treat the wounded, and evacuate the gym. Authorities have since confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Close Call for Some Gym Members

As more details emerge, accounts from near-miss survivors have underscored just how close this could have been to an even greater tragedy.

Gary Steward and a companion were just moments away from entering the gym when the shooting began. By chance, they stopped at a nearby nutrition store on the way in. That brief delay may have saved their lives.

“If we hadn’t stopped there, we would have walked in through the front desk, where the shooter came in,” Steward told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. As they approached the entrance, they saw shattered glass and fled back to the parking lot.

“It’s just a weird feeling right now,” he said. “It’s strange. Who shoots up a gym?”

Motive Remains Unclear

As investigators continue combing through evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing surveillance footage, the motive behind the attack remains unknown.

Undersheriff Walsh noted that there’s no indication yet whether the shooting was targeted or random. Authorities are also working to determine if the suspect had any connection to the gym, its staff, or its members.

Community Shaken by Sudden Violence

The Las Vegas Athletic Club is a popular fitness chain with multiple locations throughout the city. For many local residents, it’s a daily stop — a place to improve health and unwind. The news of a deadly shooting at such a familiar location has deeply unsettled the community.

Social media was quickly flooded with posts from concerned residents and gym members checking on loved ones or sharing their shock. As of Friday evening, calls to the gym and its corporate office went unanswered.

A Broader Conversation on Public Safety

This incident adds to a growing list of public shootings in places once considered safe — schools, malls, churches, and now fitness centers. As Las Vegas police continue their investigation, the shooting will likely reignite conversations about security in public spaces and mental health resources.

For now, the focus remains on the victims and their families. Local officials have not yet released the identities of those killed or injured, pending notification of next of kin.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department urges anyone with information or footage related to the incident to come forward as detectives continue working to piece together the events leading up to Friday’s shooting.

Source: AP News – 2 dead and at least 3 injured in Las Vegas gym shooting, police say

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