1. Demonstrators protest Donald Trump convention speech
Demonstrations against Donald Trump continued for a second day in California when dozens of protesters gathered Friday outside the Republican convention in Burlingame. Trump had to walk along a concrete median to slip into the back of the building without harassment. At one point, about two dozen protesters rushed the barriers of the Hyatt Regency, where the convention was taking place, and were pushed back by police using batons. The clashes are the latest in a string of Trump protests.
CNN
2. Friend of Dylann Roof pleads guilty in Charleston church shooting case
A friend of alleged Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof pleaded guilty Friday to lying to federal officials and withholding information about the attack. Joey Meek faces up to eight years in prison and $500,000 in fines. He agreed to testify against Roof, who is accused of fatally shooting nine black people in a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in June. The race-related shooting renewed debate that led South Carolina to remove its Confederate flag from statehouse grounds.
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The New York Times The Associated Press
3. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence endorses Ted Cruz
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the Republican presidential race during a Friday appearance on a conservative talk radio show. "I'm not against anyone, but I will be voting for Ted Cruz," Pence said. His endorsement comes days ahead of Indiana's Tuesday primary, which is critical for Cruz, who is trying to prevent frontrunner Donald Trump from locking up the 1,237 delegates he needs to secure the nomination.
The Indianapolis Star
4. San Francisco police chief orders anti-bias training
San Francisco Police Chief Gregory Suhr released nine pages of racist and homophobic text messages sent between officers Friday and ordered all officers to undergo anti-bias training. "We have nothing to hide," Suhr said of his 2,000-member force. "These are the actions of a few." The department is already under federal investigation for the 2015 fatal shooting of Mario Woods, a black man.
The New York Times The Associated Press
5. Pentagon disciplines 16 for Afghanistan hospital strike
The Pentagon announced Friday that it has punished 16 American military personnel, including a two-star general, for the deadly strike on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan last year that killed 42. Because the Pentagon determined the attack was not intentional, but rather the fault of human error, fatigue, and technical errors, those punished will not face criminal charges. They face "administrative actions" only, including suspension, removal from command, and letters of reprimand.
The New York Times NBC News
6. Syria calls truces that exclude violence in Aleppo
Syria called local truces Friday, but put no end to the violence in Aleppo deemed "monstrous" by the United Nations. The death toll from a Wednesday airstrike on a Doctors Without Borders hospital has risen to at least 50 people. On Friday, rebel forces reportedly fired mortar rounds into a mosque, killing at least 15 people. More than 200 people have been killed in Aleppo in the last week by pro-government and rebel forces. Peace talks aimed at establishing a cease-fire recently collapsed.
Reuters The Washington Post
7. Will Ferrell backs out of Ronald Reagan comedy
Actor Will Ferrell has reportedly nixed plans to play Ronald Reagan in a comedy about the late president's dementia, just days after it was announced he had signed on. Ferrell's spokesperson said he was never officially attached to the project. Shortly after news of the film broke, Reagan's daughter Patti Davis penned an open letter expressing her disappointment. "Perhaps if you knew more," Davis wrote, "you would not find the subject humorous."
The Holllywood Reporter
8. The West Wing press secretary handles Josh Earnest's daily briefing
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest let his fictional counterpart handle his daily briefing Friday. Allison Janney, who played the whip-smart C.J. Cregg on The West Wing, took over the podium while Earnest was supposedly out of commission for a root canal. "Let's be honest," Janney said, "I'm better at this anyway." Eventually, Earnest showed up and engaged Janney in some light-hearted banter.
ABC News
9. Luke Walton to coach Los Angeles Lakers
The struggling Los Angeles Lakers signed former forward Luke Walton to a multi-year deal as head coach, the team announced Friday. "I have always dreamed of being a head coach, and the chance to do that for an organization like the Lakers doesn't come around very often," Walton said. Walton, who has served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, played nine seasons with Los Angeles, winning two championship rings.
ESPN
10. Larry Wilmore to entertain at Obama's last White House Correspondents' Dinner
Comedian Larry Wilmore will take the stage Saturday at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, President Obama's last. "I like Obama a lot," Wilmore said recently. "But remember, I only supported him because he's black, so I can attack his positions all I want." The dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. Expect Wilmore to come on around 9:45, followed by Obama himself. Watch the jokes go down on C-SPAN.
Mediaite
