JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 949

Washington, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison testified Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee in a hearing on alleged widespread welfare fraud in state-administered programs. Republicans released a report this week alleging officials knew about credible fraud concerns years earlier and did not act. Federal prosecutors have charged dozens in related schemes and documented convictions. Walz previously suspended his reelection campaign amid the federal probe. Committee investigators cited whistleblower interviews, agency records and federal investigative findings in their review. The hearing continues congressional oversight into federal and state responses. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — College basketball teams entered conference tournaments and regular-season matchups this week, with multiple programs riding win streaks or seeking postseason seeding. Fairfield faces Manhattan in the MAAC, Colorado meets Kansas in the Big 12, and Queens plays West Georgia in the ASUN, while Akron hosts Northern Illinois and Dayton hosts VCU in Atlantic 10 play. Charleston hosts Stony Brook following a 23-point outing. Reports cite team records, top performers, shooting percentages and recent head-to-head results to set expectations for upcoming games. Game dates and scores are noted in previews. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

San Antonio — Incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales and challenger Brandon Herrera will face a Republican runoff on May 26 after neither secured a majority in the March primary. State results show Gonzales with 43 percent and Herrera 41 percent; vote totals were reported by the Texas Secretary of State. The contest reopened scrutiny after allegations emerged that Gonzales had an affair with a former aide who died, prompting calls for resignation. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into alleged misconduct. Campaign provided no immediate comment. Gonzales denies wrongdoing and refused to resign. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Houston, Texas — Republican state representative Steve Toth defeated four-term U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw in the GOP primary for Texas’ 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, unseating the incumbent after a campaign focused on alignment with former President Donald Trump’s agenda. Toth, backed by Sen. Ted Cruz and hardline conservative groups, campaigned from the right and criticized Crenshaw’s foreign policy and 2020 election positions. Crenshaw had out-raised Toth but lost amid redistricting that shifted district boundaries. Election calls showed Toth leading by roughly sixteen points. Voters cited party loyalty and alignment with Trump policies. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

SAN FRANCISCO — Elon Musk took the stand Wednesday in a trial, where plaintiffs allege he made false public statements in May 2022 that depressed Twitter's stock before his $44 billion acquisition. The lawsuit, filed in October 2022 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, represents shareholders who sold shares between May 13 and Oct. 4, 2022. Lawyers said Musk's tweets and statements about spam accounts drove down the price; Musk testified that spam prevalence exceeded Twitter's 5% estimate. The court is weighing claims of securities-law violations and investor losses. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

DALLAS — James Talarico defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett to win the Texas Democratic Senate primary, the Associated Press called the race at 2:37 a.m. on March 4. Polls closed at 8 p.m. ET on March 3, but vote counts in Dallas County were delayed after confusion over polling hours and a lower court’s order to keep some locations open two hours longer. The Texas Supreme Court directed that ballots cast after 7 p.m. be separated. Crockett left her watch party alleging GOP-targeted interference and indicated plans to challenge results. State and campaign officials reported vote totals and timelines. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State defeated No. 14 Kansas 70-60 on Tuesday, handing the Sun Devils a late-season victory that may have been head coach Bobby Hurley’s final home game. Moe Odum led with 23 points and Massamba Diop added 19 as ASU built a 40-20 halftime lead and withstood Kansas rallies. Kansas coach Bill Self received two technical fouls and was ejected in the first half. The Jayhawks cut deficits late but could not overcome turnovers and shooting struggles. The game figures in end-of-season evaluations, postseason seeding. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

SALT LAKE CITY — Colorado defeated Utah 92-78 on Tuesday after seizing control with a 51-25 halftime lead, the University of Colorado and multiple outlets reported. Bangot Dak scored a career-high 22 points with 10 rebounds; Isaiah Johnson added 22 and Barrington Hargress 19. Colorado capitalized on nine first-half Utah turnovers and shot above 60% in the opening 20 minutes. Utah rallied in the second half but could not overturn the deficit. The win improved Colorado’s record in Big 12 play and ended its series road struggles this season, officials confirmed game statistics. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA. Local officials reported two chemical releases at the Silfab Solar plant this week, first on March 3 and again on March 5. About 300 gallons of potassium hydroxide spilled March 3 and county officials reported a hydrofluoric acid leak March 5 that was contained within secondary containment. York County and Silfab stated there was no public danger, while the Fort Mill School District closed Flint Hill Elementary out of caution. State and county agencies launched investigations and the South Carolina Attorney General called for an immediate shutdown. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — U.S. officials identified four of six American service members killed when a drone struck a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on March 1. The four served in the 103rd Sustainment Command, Army Reserve logistics personnel from Iowa; two others remain unnamed. Iran launched missiles and drones in retaliation to U.S.-Israeli operations, and U.S. officials reported naval and air actions. The State Department urged Americans to depart parts of the Middle East amid travel disruptions. Officials announced casualty notifications. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.