10 things you need to know today: October 3, 2019

1. Democrats threaten to subpoena White House for Ukraine documents

House Democrats on Wednesday warned the White House that they would be issuing a subpoena for documents on President Trump's push for Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who is a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump in the 2020 elections. Democratic leaders accused the White House of "flagrant disregard" for lawmakers' requests for information as they begin an impeachment inquiry, and warned that refusing to cooperate with Congress could itself be an impeachable offense. Trump, in a heated news conference, called Biden and his son Hunter "stone cold crooked." He also unleashed a series of tweets, using a vulgarity to describe the inquiry and saying "the Do Nothing Democrats should be focused on building up our Country."

The Associated Press

2. Bernie Sanders cancels campaign events after heart procedure

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was treated for a blocked artery after experiencing "chest discomfort" Tuesday night. Doctors successfully inserted two stents to clear the blockage. Aides said Wednesday that Sanders, a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, was canceling campaign events and appearances until further notice. "Sen. Sanders is conversing and in good spirits," said senior adviser Jeff Weaver. "He will be resting up over the next few days." Two cardiologists who have not treated Sanders said patients typically recover quickly from the procedure he had, although political analysts said the 78-year-old senator could expect increased scrutiny of his age and health. Sanders, who just had the best fundraising quarter of any Democratic candidate so far, was recovering in a Las Vegas hospital.

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CNN The New York Times

3. Pompeo confirms he was on Trump's Ukraine call

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Wednesday that he was on President Trump's July call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "I was on the phone call," Pompeo said. A whistleblower filed a complaint about the July call, in which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential rival in the 2020 election. The whistleblower complaint sparked House Democrats to launch an impeachment inquiry. Pompeo did not directly answer a question Wednesday about whether he heard anything inappropriate on the call, although he said U.S. policy toward Ukraine has been "remarkably consistent." Pompeo previously deflected a question about the Ukraine call, saying he hadn't read the whistleblower complaint.

CNN The Wall Street Journal

4. Trump administration to collect DNA from detained migrants

The U.S. government is preparing to start collecting DNA from detained immigrants to put into a national criminal database, The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing senior Department of Homeland Security officials. The effort would mark a major expansion of the database, which is maintained by the FBI and typically only includes DNA from people who have been arrested, charged, or convicted of major crimes. The Justice Department is working on a federal regulation to give immigration officers authorization to collect DNA from migrants at detention facilities containing more than 40,000 people, the Times reported. Supporters of the move said it would help identify criminal suspects in immigration custody. Immigrant and privacy advocates said it would threaten the privacy of already vulnerable people.

The New York Times

5. Record October heat wave peaks across much of U.S.

Temperatures peaked Wednesday in a heat wave that shattered records in numerous places east of the Mississippi River. Washington, D.C., reached 98 degrees Fahrenheit, exceeding the previous record of 96 degrees, which was set 78 years ago. The high rose to 24 degrees above normal in Newark, New Jersey, hitting 94 degrees, while New York City's Central Park got its first 90-degree-plus October day since 1941. Baltimore reached 98 degrees, another record, and Greer, South Carolina, shattered its old record by 5 degrees. Atlanta's Fulton County Airport beat an October record set last year by 4 degrees. The October high before that had been set in 2016.

The Washington Post

6. U.S. announces tariffs on EU planes, other goods

The Trump administration said Wednesday it would impose 10 percent tariffs on European-made Airbus planes in response to illegal EU aircraft subsidies. The U.S. also announced 25 percent duties on French wine, Scotch and Irish whiskies, and European cheese. The move followed World Trade Organization approval for the tariffs, which cover $7.5 billion worth of EU goods annually. The levies take effect Oct. 18, but exempt parts from an Airbus assembly plant in Alabama, and parts used by U.S. aircraft maker Boeing. The transatlantic trade tensions have been ongoing but overshadowed by the tit-for-tat tariffs exchanged between the U.S. and China in their trade war.

Reuters

7. Dallas ex-cop sentenced to 10 years for killing neighbor

Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer who fatally shot her neighbor in his apartment, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday. She was found guilty of murder on Tuesday and faced up to life in prison. Guyger, who is white, was arrested in September 2018 after killing Botham Jean, who was black and was unarmed, after mistakenly walking into his apartment, located one floor directly above hers. She testified that she thought she was in her own apartment, and was "scared" because she thought Jean was an intruder. After the sentence was announced, Jean's brother said, "I forgive you," and asked permission to hug Guyger. After they embraced, State District Judge Tammy Kemp also hugged Guyger, and said, "Forgive yourself."

The Dallas Morning News The New York Times

8. ADP says businesses added 135,000 jobs in September

U.S. businesses added just 135,000 jobs in September, according to data released Wednesday by ADP, the biggest American processor of paychecks. Economists polled by Econoday had expected a 152,000-job gain. ADP also cut its estimate of job gains in August from 195,000 down to 157,000, adding to evidence of slowing hiring. "Businesses have turned more cautious in their hiring," said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, which produces the report with ADP. "Small businesses have become especially hesitant. If businesses pull back any further, unemployment will begin to rise." The federal government's monthly jobs report, which also covers public-sector workers, will be released Friday morning.

MarketWatch

9. 7 killed when World War II plane crashes in Connecticut

At least seven people were killed and seven others injured on Wednesday when a vintage World War II plane crashed at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. The pilot of the Boeing B-17 aircraft reported difficulties five minutes after taking off. The plane was trying to land when it crashed into a small building, and tanks holding deicing fluid, said state public safety Commissioner James Rovella. Survivors were rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries ranging from minor to critical. The crash prompted Bradley to close for about three hours. The plane was in the area as part of the Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom tour, which sends vintage aircraft around the country for historical aviation education events.

The Hartford Courant

10. Plácido Domingo resigns from L.A. Opera after sexual harassment allegations

Opera star Plácido Domingo, 78, resigned as general director of the Los Angeles Opera on Wednesday, after facing months of criticism over allegations that he had sexually harassed numerous women for years. "While I will continue to work to clear my name," he said, "I have decided that it is in the best interests of L.A. Opera for me to resign." Domingo, who helped found the L.A. Opera, also withdrew from upcoming performances, his last scheduled appearances in the U.S. after he also dropped performances with the Metropolitan Opera. The latest move sparked speculation that his career could be ending, although he still has upcoming engagements in Europe.

The New York Times