Reuters US Domestic News Summary

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs. Avenatti proclaims innocence in 'David versus Goliaths' court fight

Attorney Michael Avenatti made a brief appearance in federal court in California on Monday, proclaiming his innocence on the courthouse steps as he was jeered by onlookers. Avenatti, best known for representing pornographic film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with U.S. President Donald Trump, did not enter a plea to fraud and embezzlement charges lodged against him in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. Chicago police call for state's attorney to resign in Smollett controversy

Protesting Chicago police officers on Monday called for Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to resign after her office dropped felony charges against actor Jussie Smollett last week related to allegations that he staged a phony hate crime. About 300 people, including off-duty Chicago police officers, gathered at the building where Foxx’s office is located in downtown Chicago, wearing "Foxx Must Go!" buttons and carrying signs reading "Resign now" and "Who let the Foxx in the henhouse." U.S. appeals court refuses to block 'bump stocks' gun ban

A U.S. appeals court on Monday refused to halt President Donald Trump's ban on "bump stocks" - rapid-fire gun attachments used in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history - in the latest courtroom defeat for firearms rights advocates opposing the policy. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a lower court ruling that denied a request by opponents of the policy for a preliminary injunction lifting the ban, which took effect last week. The U.S. Supreme Court twice last week, in cases from Michigan and Washington, D.C., rejected stay requests from gun rights advocates. Death row inmates not guaranteed 'painless' execution, U.S. Supreme Court says

The U.S. Constitution does not guarantee a prisoner sentenced to capital punishment "a painless death," a divided Supreme Court said on Monday, paving the way for the execution of a convicted murderer who sought to die by lethal gas rather than lethal injection because of a rare medical condition. Russell Bucklew, 50, had argued that lethal injection might inflict undue agony by rupturing blood-filled tumors on his face, head, neck and throat caused by a congenital condition called cavernous hemangioma in violation of the Constitution's Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment. Baltimore mayor, under fire over book sales, takes leave for health

Baltimore's embattled mayor began an indefinite hiatus on Monday, citing health reasons for her leave on the same day the state's governor called for a probe into sales of her self-published books to a health provider. Mayor Catherine Pugh has been battling pneumonia for a few weeks and her physicians have advised her to focus on recuperating, her office said in a statement. Colorado passes bill to seize guns from people deemed threat to self, others

The Colorado legislature on Monday passed a "red flag" bill that would allow those deemed a threat to have their firearms seized, despite opposition by most of the state’s sheriffs and threats of legal challenges. Both chambers of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly approved the measure, sending it to the desk of Governor Jared Polis, also a Democrat, who has indicated his support for the measure. U.S. government boosts 2020 Medicare payments to insurers by 2.53 percent

The U.S. government on Monday said it would increase by 2.53 percent on average 2020 payments to the health insurers that manage Medicare Advantage insurance plans for seniors and the disabled, a reflection of a new estimate on medical cost growth. The rate, which affects how much insurers charge for monthly healthcare premiums, plan benefits and, ultimately, how much they profit, represents an increase over the 1.59 percent increase proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in February. Lockheed clinches $2.4 billion deal for sale of THAAD missiles

Lockheed Martin Corp was awarded a $2.4 billion Pentagon contract on Monday for THAAD interceptor missiles, some of which are slated to be delivered to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Reuters had reported Lockheed was nearing the deal earlier on Monday. Avocado shortages, virgin margaritas: Border shutdown would hit American palates

President Donald Trump's threat to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border would hit American consumers - in the gut. From the avocados on avocado toast, to the limes and tequila in margaritas, the United States is heavily reliant on Mexican imports of fruit, vegetables and alcohol to meet consumer demand. Nearly half of all imported U.S. vegetables and 40 percent of imported fruit are grown in Mexico, according to the latest data from the United States Department of Agriculture. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders against increasing number of Supreme Court justices

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is against expanding the nine-member Supreme Court, a proposal some liberal activists have advocated to effectively reverse President Donald Trump's appointment of conservative judges. "My worry is that the next time the Republicans are in power they will do the same thing, I think that is not the ultimate solution," Sanders said in response to a question at a forum on Monday organized by public employee unions and other liberal groups.