Sen. John Heinz remembered 30 years after tragic death
By DEB ERDLEY, Tribune-Review undefined
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Henry John Heinz III was a man in his prime. The 52-year-old U.S. senator and heir to the H.J. Heinz food empire had everything going for him April 4, 1991, the morning he climbed aboard a small, twin-propeller plane in Williamsport. In his 20 years in Congress Heinz had an impressive portfolio as one of a dwindling handful of moderate Republicans. He was charismatic, telegenic and popular; many believed he was headed for a presidential bid. All of that ended in a tragic flash. Three decades later, friends and colleagues remember the legacy of a senator they say was ahead of his time

Can Chauvin get his convictions tossed on appeal?
By MICHAEL TARM AP Legal Affairs Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The unique circumstances surrounding Derek Chauvin’s trial in George Floyd’s death could offer the former Minneapolis police officer some shot at winning a retrial on appeal, though most legal experts agree it’s a long shot. Chauvin, who is white, kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly 9 1/2 minutes last May, killing the 46-year-old Black man and sparking some of the largest protests in U.S. history. His conviction was seen by many across the country as a civil-rights milestone.  The defense has said it was impossible for Chauvin to get a fair trial in the city because of pretrial publicity and community pressure on jurors to convict. That claim is sure to underpin any appeal.

By SCOTT BAUER Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, questioned the need for widespread COVID-19 vaccinations, saying in a radio interview “what do you care if your neighbor has one or not?” Johnson, who has no medical expertise or background, made the comments Thursday during an interview with conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna. Contrary to what medical experts advise, Johnson has said he doesn’t need to be vaccinated because he had COVID-19 in the fall. He went further on Thursday, questioning why anyone would get vaccinated or worry about why others have not. Johnson says he sees “no reason to be pushing vaccines on people.”

By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Joe Biden will embark on his first overseas trip in office in June. The aim will be to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to the transatlantic alliance and reengagement with key allies. Biden will attend the Group of Seven summit in Cornwall, England, set for June 11-13, followed by a visit to Brussels, where he will hold meetings with European Union leadership and attend the June 14 summit of leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The meetings with the U.S.’ closest allies come as Biden has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to a summit in the coming months, though no date has yet been set.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Police say one person has died in a shooting in downtown San Diego and that four other people were wounded. Homicide Lt. Andra Brown says a suspect was taken into custody after the shooting Thursday night in the city’s Gaslamp Quarter dining and nightlife district. Brown says three victims were taken to hospitals and one was treated at the scene, but that none of the wounds they suffered are believed to be life-threatening. The violence began outside a hotel where a man was shot to death. The gunman then walked up the street, got into a confrontation with a group of men and opened fire. He was tackled by bystanders before police used a Taser to subdue him.

By DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writer
Stocks were rising in afternoon trading Friday, but the overall market is still on pace to end the week lower for the first time in five weeks. Investors continue to focus on individual company earnings, getting results late Thursday from chip giant Intel and, on Friday, companies like American Express and Honeywell. Technology stocks and banks led much of the gains. Bond yields ticked higher. Corporate earnings have been mostly positive, but the market has been choppy as investors weigh economic growth against threats from the pandemic and worries about changes in tax policy.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MIKE STOBBE Associated Press
U.S. authorities are weighing whether to resume the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than a week after a pause was issued out of an abundance of caution. A government advisory panel is discussing a possible link between J&J’s shot and a handful of vaccine recipients who developed highly unusual blood clots. New guidance is expected later in the day. European regulators earlier this week allowed the rollout of J&J after concluding the benefits of the single-dose vaccine outweigh what appears to be an exceedingly rare risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking to its advisers to help determine how big any risk really is.

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX has launched its third crew in under a year for NASA, this time using a recycled rocket and capsule. A Falcon rocket carrying four astronauts blasted into orbit early Friday morning from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The Dragon capsule should reach the International Space Station on Saturday. It’s the same capsule that carried up the first SpaceX crew last May. And the rocket hoisted the second crew in November. SpaceX founder Elon Musk met briefly with the U.S., French and Japanese astronauts before they headed to the launch pad.

Caitlyn Jenner says she will run for governor of California
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republican Caitlyn Jenner says she will run for governor of California. Jenner says in statement posted Friday on Twitter that she has filed initial paperwork to run. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing a likely recall election this year. Election officials are still reviewing petition signatures required to qualify the recall for the ballot. Several other Republicans have also announced plans to run. The 71-year-old transgender rights activist described herself as economically conservative and socially progressive in a People magazine interview last year. Jenner immediately stands out in an emerging field that so far has failed to attract a nationally known contender.