U.S. and world news for March 30

Helicopters crash: Two Army HH60 Blackhawk helicopters attached to the 101st Airborne Air Assault Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, have crashed in Trigg County, Kentucky. All nine soldiers on board were killed. A statement released this morning by the Army at Fort Campbell said that the helicopters were on a training mission. The Army said that the accident took place at about 10 o’clock last night.

Russians arrest reporter: A reporter for The Wall Street Journal has been arrested by Russia on charges of spying. He’s identified as Evan Gershkovich. The arrest took place in a city Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains. Russia said he was caught collecting military secrets. The Wall Street Journal denies that Gershkovich was spying for the U.S.

Train derailment: Residents of Raymond, Minnesota, have been evacuated from a half-mile radius of a train derailment that took place overnight. Twenty-two cars of the BNSF train went off the tracks, and four caught fire. Fourteen of the train cars carried ethanol, hich is classified as a hazardous material.

Republicans push energy bill: House Republicans were expected to approve legislation today that would benefit oil and gas companies while undermining clean energy programs passed under the Biden Administration. The GOP legislation would increase production of coal, oil and natural gas and increase mining of certain minerals. It also would restrict the government’s ability to ensure that new pipelines and refineries do not harm the environment.

Pope recovering: The Vatican this morning described Pope Francis as progressively improving after being hospitalized with a lung infection. The Pope was said to be working at his hospital room with audiences cancelled through tomorrow. The Vatican said the infection the Pope has is not Covid, but would not provide more details.

Disney beats DeSantis: The Walt Disney Company has outmaneuvered Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and retains benefits of the special taxing district that was set up as an incentive for the company to build Walt Disney World at Orlando. DeSantis had appointed a special board to take over the taxing district and eliminate benefits for Disney. He did that to retaliate for Disney criticizing his “Don’t Say Gay” law, designed to prevent teaching in Florida’s schools about gender. It has been revealed that before the new board could meet, Disney changed the rules and stripped the new board members of virtually all of their powers.