Brunswick, Georgia. The week-long case was abruptly stopped before it reached the jury stage on Wednesday when a judge dismissed the felony indictment used to charge a former Georgia prosecutor who was accused of exploiting her position to shield the men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery. Former District Attorney Jackie Johnson, who was the senior state prosecutor at the time, has long denied pressuring police officers who originally chose not to make arrests when Arbery was shot dead in coastal Glynn County over five years ago. The judge's decision put an end to the criminal allegations that had plagued Johnson for almost three years. When Johnson's trial began last week, she was charged with a felony, a misdemeanor count of hindering police, and breaching her oath of office. After fi...

Welcome to the online edition of From the Politics Desk, an evening email that provides you with the most recent coverage and commentary from the campaign trail, Capitol Hill, and the White House by the NBC News Politics team. Following President Donald Trump's startling remarks about Gaza, Sahil Kapur and Yamiche Alcindor speak with members of the uncommitted movement in today's program. Adam Edelman also delves into the ways that Republican lawmakers and governors are hurrying to support or even imitate Trump's agenda at the state level. Register here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox each daily. Wollner, Adam 'Uncommitted' leaders stand by 2024 strategy after Trump floats Gaza takeover By Sahil Kapur and Yamiche Alcindor Democrats are once again debating how the uncom...

As corporate America feels the repercussions of the Trump administration's targeting of DEI policies within the federal government, Google's parent company ended its hiring goals for representation this week and eliminated any reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion from its annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alphabet deleted wording from its 10-K report to the SEC, which was released on Tuesday, that stated the company was dedicated to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of its operations and to developing a staff that reflects the consumers it serves. A Google representative said in a statement that the company has been evaluating its initiatives for the past year as part of its dedication to establishing an environment where all wo...

Harrison Butker, the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, had no regrets about his contentious graduating speech at Benedictine College. Butker's statements to the graduating class of the Catholic liberal arts college in May garnered media attention. In his speech, he attacked Pride Month, IVF, and the most heinous lies that women grads had been taught. He also speculated that most female students were most thrilled about getting married and starting a family. As he and his teammates get ready to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 Super Bowl, Butker is responding to his controversial remarks once more, nearly a year after he said them. Butker and other players traveled to New Orleans, the site of the Super Bowl, for a media gathering a few days prior to the game at Caesars Superdome. T...

According to a U.S. official, the CIA sent an unclassified email containing a list of all newly hired employees in order to comply with the president's executive order to reduce the federal workforce. This raised concerns among lawmakers and former intelligence officials that the list could be used by America's enemies. According to the current U.S. official, the list included the last names of persons hired within the last two years along with their first names and initials. These are the names of probationary employees. Probationary periods at the CIA can last for years. According to a former senior intelligence official, any foreign intelligence agency with a reasonable level of resources might use research and analytical tools to match these names and initials with other publicly avail...

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday that it had found a strain of bird flu in dairy cattle that had not been before observed in cows. Prior to this discovery, the USDA announced that the same strain of the virus was responsible for all 957 avian flu cases in dairy cow herds that had been documented since the outbreak started last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over 70 persons in the United States have contracted bird flu, with the majority of those affected being farm workers. The virus has spread among dairy herds and poultry flocks. In addition to killing tens of millions of egg-laying chickens, bird flu has caused egg costs to soar to all-time highs. In a press release, the USDA sta...

Kendrick Lamar, who is also coming off of an especially hot 2024, has already had a busy February. Additionally, he will be the main attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday night in the Caesers Superdome in New Orleans. In September, the NFL revealed that Lamar would be the main attraction at the much anticipated concert. "Rap music continues to be the most influential genre. And I'll be there to remind everyone of the reason. In a statement made public by the NFL at the time, Lamar, 37, stated, "They got the right one." It was revealed late last month that SZA would take the stage with him. The last time Lamar performed at the Super Bowl was in 2022, when he joined a number of other rappers and hip-hop artists for a West Coast-themed performance at SoFi Stadium in Los Angele...

Blackheads, which typically appear as dark spots on the forehead, nose, or chin, are a common worry for those with acne-prone skin. When blackheads appear, it may be tempting to pop and pick at them, but experts say this simply makes the issue worse. Additionally, it might be challenging to choose the exfoliants and cleaners that will truly clear your pores and reduce the visibility of enlarged ones because there are so many on the market. We interviewed board-certified dermatologists to find out which over-the-counter remedies they recommend, how to safely and successfully remove blackheads at home, and the best ingredients for battling blackheads. GO Ahead and SkipWhat are blackheads?| The best ways to cure them?| How to find products to remove them?| How to prevent blackheads?| Why shou...

WASHINGTON — Four people familiar with the discussions say that U.S. Agency for International Development employees and contractors are talking about possible lawsuits against the government agency in response to the unprecedented onslaught by President Donald Trump's administration. In the face of legislative legislation that established and funded the agency and its programs, lawsuits based on revenue loss could be used to raise serious constitutional issues regarding presidential power. As Trump attempts to unilaterally reshape the federal government without the consent of Congress, these lawsuits would be the most recent in a series challenging his aggressive and unprecedented use of executive action. It is anticipated that more will follow, as he is accused of lacking the legal right ...

Nearly all direct hires worldwide will be placed on administrative leave this week, the U.S. Agency for International Development announced Tuesday evening. Following days of criticism by members of the Trump administration, including President Donald Trump, the organization's website announced the relocation. According to the release, all USAID direct hire employees worldwide will be placed on administrative leave starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, with the exception of those assigned to mission-critical tasks, core leadership, and specially designated programs. Go here to watch live broadcast. By 3 p.m., those who are anticipated to continue working will be informed. "The government is working on a plan to return workers who are not in the country back to the United States if contracts are n...