HOT POINT

By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Several Democratic-led states are pursuing laws trying to enable people to sue federal agents deployed to their communities for civil rights abuses, a push that has gained steam amid protests over tactics used by ICE during U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

Illinois last month became the first state to pass such a law. Trump's ​administration swiftly filed a lawsuit seeking to block it, arguing that allowing civil rights lawsuits against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in state courts violates a key provision of the U.S. Constitution.

Democratic-backed legislation ‌that would allow civil rights claims against ICE agents in state courts also is being considered in states including California, New York, Virginia, Maryland and Connecticut. The killings of two people - Renee Good and Alex Pretti - by ICE agents in Minneapolis this month and rough tactics used by ‌the agency during deployments have brought new attention to these efforts, still in the early stages of the legislative process.

'HOLD ICE AGENTS ACCOUNTABLE'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said during a January 13 speech that she will "move to allow New Yorkers to hold ICE agents accountable in court when they act outside the scope of their duties."

ICE is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, said in a statement to Reuters that Hochul "continues to smear law enforcement who are simply enforcing the rule of law and are putting their lives on the line."

"DHS law enforcement officers follow the law and the U.S. Constitution," McLaughlin added.

The state measures could pave the way for a wave of ⁠lawsuits by U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike seeking monetary damages from individual law ‌enforcement officers accused of violating constitutional rights such as freedom of speech, due process and the prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. The measures are intended to address what their supporters call an accountability gap in the U.S. legal system.

In 1871, the U.S. Congress passed a law that lets people bring civil rights lawsuits in federal courts against state and local ‍government officials including police officers. This law, called Section 1983, has been a tool for addressing misconduct by police officers at the state and local levels.

But Congress has never passed a similar law allowing for such lawsuits in federal courts against individual federal agents, like ICE officers, accused of violating constitutional rights, with Democratic proposals stymied by Republican opposition.

One existing law, called the Federal Tort Claims Act of 1946, allows people to seek compensation from the U.S. government for negligent and wrongful acts by federal employees, though ​it does not allow these employees to be named as individual defendants in lawsuits.

A law firm representing Good's family said it is investigating whether to pursue legal action through the Federal Tort Claims Act but said that ‌statute requires plaintiffs to deal with "byzantine, time-consuming processes."

Anya Bidwell, an Arlington, Virginia-based lawyer who brings civil rights claims on behalf of clients against law enforcement, called the proposed state measures that would allow for suits against federal agents in state courts "a potential sea change" in the American legal system. One of her clients is a California man - a U.S. citizen and Army veteran - who has said he was brutalized by ICE agents during an immigration raid.

'SUPREMACY CLAUSE'

The Illinois law allows civil lawsuits in state courts against federal agents who knowingly violate constitutional rights while enforcing U.S. immigration law. Under that law, plaintiffs who allege they have been unlawfully searched or detained by ICE agents could sue them in state court and seek monetary compensation, including punitive damages.

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Illinois law, and has signaled it would challenge any similar state measure passed this year. It said the Illinois law ⁠violates a constitutional provision called the "Supremacy Clause" that makes federal laws supersede conflicting state laws.

McLaughlin described threats she said have been made ​against DHS personnel, and said that despite these "our law enforcement show incredible restraint and professionalism in exhausting all options before any kind of ​non-lethal force is used."

In a recent essay, two constitutional law scholars called the Illinois law an "innovative" but "imperfect" law. Vikram Amar of the University of California, Davis and Jason Mazzone of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign said some parts of it, such as the provision dealing with punitive damages, are likely unconstitutional on Supremacy Clause and other grounds.

But Amar and Mazzone and some ‍other legal experts support the core premise of the Illinois ⁠law and similar proposals under which states would create civil liability for federal agents who violate the Constitution.

"The Supremacy Clause only prevents states from imposing new legal obligations and restrictions on federal officers," said Lauren Bonds, director of the Redmond, Washington-based National Police Accountability Project advocacy group.

The Trump administration's lawsuit targeting the Illinois law eventually could reach the U.S. Supreme Court, Bidwell said.

The California legislation, called the No Kings Act in ⁠a nod to the anti-Trump protest movement of that name, was approved by a state Senate committee in an 11-2 vote this month. It has not yet been taken up by the full state Senate. It also would need approval by the state Assembly and Democratic ‌Governor Gavin Newsom's signature.

The fact that the California proposal is modeled after Section 1983, a federal law already on the books, makes it more likely to withstand a legal challenge, Bidwell said.

"The courts ‌would not need to reinvent the wheel," Bidwell said.

(Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Editing by Will Dunham and Noeleen Walder)

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Authorities in Hungary on Wednesday filed charges against Budapest's liberal mayor over his role in organizing a banned LGBTQ+ Pride event in the capital last year.

Gergely Karácsony, who has led Budapest since 2019, had been thesubject of a police investigationfollowing the march on June 28which went aheaddespite a ban imposed by Hungary's right-wing nationalist government.

The event was the largest of its kind in the country's history, with organizers saying some 300,000 people participated.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Budapest Chief Prosecutor's Office said Karácsony had been charged for organizing the unlawful assembly despite a prohibition order. It recommended he should face a fine without a trial.

Prosecutors said Karácsony had defied the police order banning the Pride march and "repeatedly published public calls to participate in the assembly, and then led the assembly."

A defiant Karácsony said in a written statement that he was a "proud defendant."

"It seems that in this country, this is the price you pay if you stand up for your own freedom and the freedom of others," he wrote. "If anyone thinks they can ban me, deter me, or prevent me and my city from doing so, they are gravely mistaken."

Karácsony did not dispute the prosecution's depiction of his role in the march, writing: "That is exactly what happened."

He added: "I will never accept, nor resign myself to, the idea that in my homeland it could be a crime to stand up for freedom. I will never tolerate this, and despite every threat and every punishment, I will fight it, because when people who want to live, to love, to be happy are simply betrayed by their own country, betrayed by their government, resistance is a duty."

Prime MinisterViktor Orbán's ruling partypassed a contentious anti-LGBTQ+ lawin March 2025 which banned Pride events and allowed authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify those attending the festivities.

The populist leader's government has insisted Pride — which is a celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility and struggle for equal rights — was a violation of children's rights to moral and spiritual development. A constitutional amendment last year declared these rights took precedence over other fundamental protections including the right to peacefully assemble.

Orbán's party has passed other legislation — including a 2021 lawbarring all content depicting homosexualityto minors under 18 — that rights groups and European politicians have decried as repressive against sexual minorities and compared tosimilar restrictionsin Russia.

Three young brothers have died in Bonham, north Texas, after falling through ice on a private pond on Monday.

Cheyenne Hangaman, the boys' mother, said she tried to rescue them by lifting them out of the water and placing them on the ice, but it kept breaking.

"There was three of them and only one of me... that's why I couldn't save them," she told CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

She described her sons, aged six, eight and nine, as full of personality and urged families to "make sure that you hold your kids tight, always tell them that you love them".

This story contains graphic content that some readers may find distressing.

Hangaman, a mother of six, first learned of the accident when her daughter ran over to her, shouting that the boys had fallen in.

The children had been out playing near the pond, about 100ft (30m) away from the house where the family had been staying.

The youngest fell through first after trying to "ice skate" on the layer of ice on the water, Hangaman said, adding that the two older boys then jumped in after him.

"When I seen them, they were struggling, and I know their bodies were already in shock," she said. "The water was freezing cold."

While trying to save them, she began to struggle and was rescued by a neighbour.

"I tried to fight for my kids' life, where I had to watch them struggle and drown and I couldn't help them," she said.

The neighbour, a football coach at the school the boys attended, heard her screams and was able to pull her out of the water.

"He said he heard the screaming or the call for help and came running. My friend had a horse rope, and he pulled me out with it," Hangaman said.

In a statement, the local sheriff's office said the two older boys were pulled out of the water first by emergency workers and a neighbour, and taken to a local hospital.

The six-year-old was later recovered after "an extensive search of the pond", the office added.

Authorities did not release the children's names, but family members identified them as Howard Doss, six, Kaleb Doss, eight, and EJ Doss, nine.

Describing her sons, Hangaman said EJ dreamed of becoming a football star, Kaleb loved to dance and sing, and the youngest, Howard, "liked making people laugh".

The boys' school said they were "devastated by this unimaginable loss" in a letter to families seen by CBS News and that counsellors would be available to meet students and staff.

Their deaths come asa deadly winter storm hit a wide swathe of the US, including Texas, over the last week, killing more than 20 people and leaving several thousands without power.

• Deadly US winter storm leaves flights delayed and thousands without power

Penn State wrestlingis still finding ways to outdo itself.

What's next for theNo. 1 team in the nation, the one that somehow appears even more dominant than its two previous record-setting versions?

TheNittany Lionsand coachCael Sanderson, who are well on their way to their 13th national title in the past 15 years, seem to be only distancing themselves further from the rest of the country, including the preeminentBig Ten.

The Lions are in the midst of an NCAA-record82-match winning streak. They havesix No. 1-ranked wrestlersfor the first time in history. They've stunningly shut out seven opponents this season, another school record.

The top sports dynasty in America? It's to the point where the biggest question is whether top-10 opponents, likeNebraska on Friday night in the Bryce Jordan Center, will simply score.

When asked recently about they're ever-growing dominance, Sanderson talked about culture and their long-standing program process.

"I mean, we have a special thing going here, right? The kids know that. They see that,"he told reporters last weekin State College. "I think I have a pretty good idea of what we're doing and what we're not doing. I think, in this era, the NIL era, and all the different motivations to go to different programs, our kids know that they're coming here because they want to be the best wrestlers they can possibly be.

"I think when we look back, we'll see that this era has been good to us because we do our best to follow the rules. And we're going to get the kids that are coming here for the right reasons. Because the kids know, recruits know, parents know.

"Kids are coming here with very high character, wanting to be the best wrestlers in the world."

How Penn State wrestling dynasty grows even stronger

Their overall dominance of the sport in the past 15 years is one matter. How they continually find new ways to improve upon themselves is quite another.

They certainly own an even deeper roster than the past two teams that broke overall points records at the NCAA Championships. They certainly seem possible of tying or bettering records for most individual finalists (six) and winners (five) at those national championships in Cleveland in late March.

This also would be their first time winning five straight team championships under Sanderson.

Then consider this: Only one of their 10 starters — Levi Haines — is a senior.

"I think the chemistry is really incredible right now in the program," Sanderson said. "Just a lot of good kids that are here for the right reasons, the right kids that could have named their price and gone to other schools are here just because of what the program represents and stands for.

"Those are the kids that are going to care about one another and care about the team. When you do that, you're going to get your best self and your best own individual results, just because that's just how it goes."

Sanderson, through all of their successes, has finally built a lineup without any holes. Even their only two non-top five wrestlers are trending upwards: junior Braeden Davis, a returning All-American, just getting accustomed to his third weight class in three seasons (141 pounds) and redshirt freshman heavyweight Cole Mirasola appear to be improving by the week.

Penn State (11-0) has beaten their opponents by an otherworldly combined score of 480-19. They've won 49 of their 50 individual Big Ten bouts.

This weekend's opponent, Nebraska, boasts eight top-10 wrestlers and will still be a prohibitive underdog. The best measure will come Feb. 13 when No. 2 Ohio State — and its eight top-five wrestlers — come to State College.

Of course, the Lions have been in such positions before and haven't lost a dual meet in six years. They haven't lost at home, incredibly enough, in 11 years.

Their best may be a bespectacled, philosophical junior who's lost just one match in three seasons. Listen to how Mitchell Mesenbrink, an upbeat, unassuming point-scoring machine, puts it:

"I don't think there's any secret sauce,"he told reporterslast week about that team domination. "Just keep doing the same things and focusing on the bigger picture of things in preparing for the next match.

"It's instilling values into your day-to-day that mean something to you and mean something to God and make a difference. Everybody knows them. They're not just some crazy fable or message that you've never heard. What's the quote? 'Extraordinary is just ordinary over and over.'"

Frank Bodani covers Penn State wrestling for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him atfbodani@ydr.comand follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Penn State wrestling, Cael Sanderson more dominant than ever

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Tottenham forward Randal Kolo Muani is set to feature in the Champions League match at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday despite being involved in what manager Thomas Frank described as a "minor" car crash.

Pictures circulated on social media on Tuesday showing Kolo Muani, a France international, and Tottenham teammate Wilson Odobert standing next to a black Ferrari that had sustained damage. They had taken part in open training at the club's practise facility earlier in the day.

Odobert reportedly was in his own car but stopped to assist Kolo Muani, and they travelled to Germany together.

Speaking on Tuesday evening at a news conference, Frank said Kolo Muani was "fine."

"It was a tire blowing up," Frank said, "so they are a little bit delayed but they will land later tonight."

Frank said the incident happened when the players were on the way to the airport.

"I fully expect both to be available (against Eintracht)," he said.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Win or lose,Jessie Digginsplans to celebrate her last Olympics.

More than 40 friends and family are traveling to theMilan Cortina Winter Gamesto watch America's most decoratedcross-countryskier chase Olympic glory one last time.

The 34-year-old Minnesota native isretiringat the end of the season, and looking forward to finally getting some rest.

"I'm really excited to have a whole weekend off," Diggins told The Associated Press from the U.S. team's training base in Livigno, Italy.

"I realize that sounds kind of crazy, but ... I haven't had two days in a row that are actually mine in a very long time. So that's going to feel really special."

Before that, she enters her fourth Olympics as the top challenger to the traditionally dominant Nordic skiers. With gold, silver, and bronze medals already to her name, Diggins is a strong favorite to add to her collection in Milan Cortina. Along the World Cup circuit this year, growing clusters ofU.S. teammateshave gathered to cheer her on, a presence that's coincided with her retaining the lead in the overall women's standings.

"It was so cool — just feeling so much love across different sports," Diggins said after winning her third overall Tour de Ski title in northern Italy this month. "It's been really awesome."

She returned to the podium last weekend in Goms, Switzerland, at the final World Cup meet before the Olympics, where she finished second in the 20-kilometer classic, just 0.9 seconds behind Finland's Johanna Matintalo.

Zip lines, swim races, summers in Canada

Growing up in Afton, outside Minneapolis, Diggins tried any sport that could absorb her uncontainable energy: skating, soccer, dance, gymnastics, rock climbing and athletics. Ski racing followed while she was still in elementary school.

Her father, an outdoorsy Canadian, installed a zip line behind their house, and speed quickly became a fascination. That competitive edge sharpened during summers north of the border, racing other kids in swim meets along the shores of Lake Superior.

Ski competitions began at 11 and never stopped. After outperforming the boys, Diggins jumped age categories, surging through her teens from state to national championships and onto an express path to the Olympics.

By 2018, she was at the center of a historic breakthrough, teaming with Kikkan Randall in the sprint to claim the first — and still only — U.S. Olympic gold in cross-country skiing.

After adding silver and bronze in 2022, Diggins will compete at Milan Cortina as part of a powerhouse group of American women that includes Alpine skiiersMikaela Shiffrin,Lindsey Vonnand snowboarderChloe Kim.A dual citizen, Diggins also openly roots for Canada.

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"I absolutely do," she told the AP. "I kind of see it as team North America. And I am really, really proud of my Canadian citizenship. So many of my family lives up there, and both my parents were born there. I feel so proud to have half of my heart there."

Stressed by events in Minneapolis

Her career took off in Europe and eventually led her to settle outside Boston, but Minnesota is never far away. Diggins said it has been stressful to follow the headlines about theimmigration crackdownin Minneapolis where two people were fatally shot by federal immigration agents.

"It's been devastating following the news of what has been happening in Minnesota right now, and it's really hard feeling like I can do nothing about it," she wrote in anonline post.

As her career has flourished, she has also devoted herself to causes that mirror personal struggles — advocating for climate action assnowfall declinesbecause of climate change and pushing for better access to treatment for people with severe eating disorders.

"It makes every race so much more meaningful knowing that I'm trying to advocate for a better future," she said.

After advocacy, it's back to the slopes.

Glitter, gratitude and podium dancing

Fans know Jessie Diggins' winning formula: relentless endurance, downhill aggression and a finishing kick capable of breaking elite rivals.

There's also playfulness. She races with glitter face paint — a ritual now copied by younger American skiers — and after frequent finish-line collapses often celebrates moments later with a half-dance on the podium.

Along the way, Diggins makes a point of publicly thanking those who helped her get there: wax technicians, sports psychologists, teammates and others.

"I have to say a huge thank you to the team. I felt like I had awesome skis that were super competitive every single day," she said after her latest Tour de Ski victory.

"It takes a village, and I'm really proud of my village — really grateful for them. It was so fun to feel good on this last tour. And yeah, it was just really cool."

AP Winter Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

DUBAI, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he had not ​been in contact with U.S. special ‌envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days or requesting negotiations, ‌state media reported on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday another "armada" is floating toward Iran and that he hopes Tehran would make ⁠a deal ‌with Washington.

The U.S. deployed additional military assets in the Gulf following nationwide ‍protests in Iran which led to the country's bloodiest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

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"There was no ​contact between me and Witkoff in ‌recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us," Araqchi told state media, adding that various intermediaries were "holding consultations" and were in contact with Tehran.

"Our stance is ⁠clear, negotiations don't go along ​with threats and talks ​can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands."

Iran's ‍President Masoud ⁠Pezeshkian told Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday that Tehran ⁠welcomes any process, within the framework of international law, ‌that prevents war.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; ‌Editing by Sharon Singleton)