California considering a proposal from GM

( ) -q-20- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “as Los Angeles.”

General Motors’ Cruise autonomous vehicle unit has asked California for permission to test the cars across the entire state.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. If granted, the test permit won’t allow Cruise to carry non-employee passengers except in San Francisco. Testing could be done up to 55 miles per hour statewide.

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VERBATIM: The GM subsidiary is already running an autonomous ride-hailing service in its hometown of San Francisco after testing for more than two years. It doesn’t have specific plans yet to expand testing in California. But applying with the Department of Motor Vehicles is a step toward entering larger cities such as Los Angeles.

NYC prepares for possible criminal indictment of Trump

Former President Trump could soon face criminal charges in New York’s hush money payment investigation. Prosecutors have not said when their work might conclude or when charges could come. But law enforcement in New York has been making preparations for any unrest, should Trump face charges. Many Republicans are denouncing the probe as politically motivated and the GOP-led House is demanding documents and testimony from the Manhattan district attorney.

GOP Hopefuls Gather In South Carolina

Republicans who are seeking to lead their party in the 2024 presidential race are gathering in South Carolina this weekend.  And they’re promoting a goal that’s at the forefront of their agenda — namely, taking on “woke ideology.” The Vision ’24 event in North Charleston is being held by the group Palmetto Family, which lobbies for what it considers to be “biblical values.”  Organizers are describing the gathering as “casting the conservative vision” for the next White House race. More than 400 attendees are expected to hear from presidential hopefuls, including a former South Carolina governor who was Donald Trump’s U.N. ambassador, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Former President Trump Kicks Off Campaign Events

The former President is kicking off his 2024 campaign with two stops along the East Coast. More from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

Former President Donald Trump kicked off his 2024 White House bid with a stop Saturday in New Hampshire before heading to South Carolina, appearances in early-voting states marking the first campaign events since announcing his latest run more than two months ago.

Those states hold two of the party’s first three nominating contests, giving them enormous power in selecting the nominee.

Mr. Trump and his allies hope the events will offer a show of force behind the former president after a sluggish start to his campaign. In recent weeks, his backers have reached out to political operatives and elected officials to secure support for Mr. Trump at a critical point when other Republicans are preparing their own expected challenges.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Small groups are in decline at many churches

Small groups are in decline at many churches

VERBATIM: LifeWay Research says America’s Protestant pastors are having a hard time getting people to join small groups. In 2010, just 49% of parishioners at the average church were in a small group. Today it’s only 44%. The pandemic is partly to blame. A lot of folks got used to staying at home and watching services on-line, and some are still doing so. LifeWay spokesman Scott McConnell says “Groups unify a congregation and motivate people to work together.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.

AM SPORTSCAST 3-21

AM SPORTSCAST 3-21