Trump administration can't make colleges provide race-related data, judge rules

By Nate Raymond

FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Department of Education building in Washington

BOSTON, April 3 (Reuters) - The Trump administration cannot force public universities in 17 U.S. states to turn over sweeping amounts of data so it can examine ‌whether they have ceased considering race as an admissions factor, a federal judge ruled ‌on Friday.

U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston issued a preliminary injunction at the request of those states' ​Democratic attorneys general, who are suing over a new data reporting requirement the Department of Education adopted in a survey used to gather information from colleges.

The department sought seven years of admissions data on the race and sex of students to track compliance with the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling ending affirmative ‌action in higher education.

New York Attorney ⁠General Letitia James hailed the ruling, saying in a statement that "schools should not have to scramble to produce years of sensitive information to satisfy an arbitrary ⁠and unlawful demand."

The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment.

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The states, which also include California and Massachusetts, sued last month, arguing the survey's rushed implementation left universities vulnerable to inadvertent errors that ​could ​lead them to face penalties and investigations into their ​practices.

The department requested the data through an ‌Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System survey that it created at the direction of President Donald Trump, a Republican. In an August memorandum, he cited a lack of data to assess whether race remained an admissions factor given the "rampant use" by universities of what he called "hidden racial proxies."

Saylor ruled the Education Department had the statutory authority to seek such data but he said the "rushed and chaotic ‌manner" by which it adopted the new requirements led it ​to not properly engage with universities about problems they ​foresaw.

Such problems were compounded by the administration's ​efforts to dismantle the Education Department, leaving few employees in its National Center ‌for Education Statistics to manage the surveys ​following job cuts, the judge ​said.

After the states sued, Saylor, who was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, issued temporary restraining orders that extended until Monday the deadline for their schools to complete ​the survey while he considered the ‌case.

On Tuesday he issued an order similarly extending the deadline for dozens of other ​public and private universities while he considers whether they too deserve an injunction.

(Reporting by ​Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by William Mallard)

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April 03, 2026

Trump administration can't make colleges provide race-related data, judge rules

By Nate Raymond FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Department of Education building in Washington BOSTON, April 3 (Reuters...

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The white shark forecast is in. Expect more in SoCal this summer

Southern California already has plenty ofwhite sharksinhabiting its waters, but a brewingEl Niñomay only increase the population of these large predators — and bring with it other aquatic visitors.

Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology who heads the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, shared an unusual observation this winter: the presence of baby white sharks as early as February. He said they're generally not seen until April.

"The reason for that, we think, is the water off Southern California is unusually warm right now," Lowe said. "So, we're experiencing a marine heat wave, even though it's not even summer yet."

Female white sharks are believed to be using temperature as a cue to let them know it's time to give birth, he said.

"It could be that if a female's eating really well and she's been in warm water, she may be able to produce a litter of pups faster," Lowe said. "But what's unusual is seeing pups that early in the year. So that would suggest that females are coming back earlier than they normally would."

Also, their litter is hanging out at Southern California beaches in part because of the warmer water which "kind of reminds them of mom," the Shark Lab director said.

Now take into consideration that forecasters expect an El Niño — a phase of a natural climate phenomenon that warms up the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean — to develop late this year. It's one thatcould be strong.

Scientists have discovered more than 900 species of sharks and rays and related species

That could impact white sharks, too.

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As El Niño conditions emerge around the summertime, per the Climate Prediction Center'sforecast in March, so might Southern Californians start to see more white sharks come our way.

The Shark Lab director pointed to an observation from about a decade ago when an El Niño coincided witha major marine heatwave, resulting in Southern California experiencing a big influx of white sharks that'd been driven north by ocean water believed to have gotten too warm for them further south.

This is what Lowe anticipates happening again this year. His prediction is that around July is when we'll see a bigger influx of sharks.

However, Southern California could get some other visitors, too, Lowe said, pointing to other instances that occurred during "strong" El Niños.

"During El Niños, we've had tiger sharks come into Southern California. We've had bull sharks come into Southern California," Lowe said. "So, depending on how warm and how early, we could have species that we don't normally see here."

On March 26, Newport Beach Fire Department lifeguards confirmed the sighting of a white shark. Also making headlines early April arereportsof a juvenile white shark that got caught on a fishing line at Hermosa Beach.

"You should always assume there are white sharks in the water when you go to the beaches in California because that's the new norm," Lowe said. "And it's been the new norm for about the last 10 years. The population is increasing, mainly because they were protected (in) 1994. So, as a result, we're seeing more sharks, but also climate plays into this."

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her atpbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:SoCal beachgoers, you may see more sharks in 2026

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April 03, 2026

The white shark forecast is in. Expect more in SoCal this summer

Southern California already has plenty ofwhite sharksinhabiting its waters, but a brewingEl Niñomay only increase the pop...

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UK charges three men with arson over attack on Jewish community ambulances

April 3 (Reuters) - British prosecutors said on Friday ‌that they have ‌charged three men in ​connection with an arson attack last month on Jewish community ambulances ‌in north ⁠London.

The three men have been charged ⁠with arson with intent to damage property ​and being ​reckless ​as to ‌whether life would be endangered, the prosecutors said.

The Metropolitan Police said separately that, at this ‌stage, the ​incident has not ​been ​declared as ‌terrorism, but due to ​the ​circumstances of the incident the investigation is ​being ‌led by counter-terrorism officers.

(Reporting ​by Akanksha Khushi ​in Bengaluru)

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April 03, 2026

UK charges three men with arson over attack on Jewish community ambulances

April 3 (Reuters) - British prosecutors said on Friday ‌that they have ‌charged three men in ​connection with an arson at...

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Cody Bellinger bobble turns into highlight catch for Yankees

Cody Bellinger made a hard catch even harder in Friday's game, but the New York Yankees outfielder ended up pulling it off. Somehow.

In the ninth inning against the Marlins, Miami shortstop Xavier Edwards hit a fly ball to the warning track in left field off the Yankees' Ryan Yarbrough. Bellinger ran back and made what appeared to be a simple but impressive leaping catch at first glance.

However, replay showed the ball initially bounced off the heel of Bellinger's glove. He still managed to corral the ball with a stab downward.

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It's not exactly the catch of the year, but it's certainly something.

The catch saved the Yankees a runner in scoring position in a game theyended up winning 8-2. Hitting third, Bellinger went 1-for-4 at the plate with a walk, while Aaron Judge hit his third homer of the year.

The Yankees entered this season with the outfield projecting to be another strength.Bellinger re-signed with the team on a five-year, $162.5 million deal. With center fielder Trent Grisham also returning on a signed qualifying offer and Judge not going anywhere in right, Bellinger remained in left,where he was among the best in MLB last season.

He's off to a good start this year too, hitting .280/.400/.400 through seven games.

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April 03, 2026

Cody Bellinger bobble turns into highlight catch for Yankees

Cody Bellinger made a hard catch even harder in Friday's game, but the New York Yankees outfielder ended up pulling i...

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Stephen Curry likely to make long-awaited injury return for Warriors Sunday

TheGolden State Warriorsare reportedly getting back their superstar this weekend withStephen Curryset to return Sunday for their game against theHouston Rockets.

Curry is expected to be cleared to play,according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, after missing more than two months – 27 consecutive games – due to a persistent knee injury.

Curry has averaged 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 39 games played this season, while shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.1% on 3-pointers and 93.1% on free throws.

TheWarriorshave posted a 9-18 record in those 27 games without Curry, including back-to-back home losses against the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 1 and 2, respectively.

LUKA DONCIC:How injury impacts Lakers' NBA playoff scenarios

Magic Johnson
college dominance: Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.
NBA: 5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Carmelo Anthony college dominance: In his lone season (2003), led Syracuse to a national championship and earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game as a freshman.
NBA: 10× NBA All-Star. 2012–13 NBA scoring champion, averaging 28.7 points per game.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Before NBA glory: How Jordan, Bird, Magic and Curry ruled in college

Magic Johnsoncollege dominance:Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.NBA:5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Prior to the Warriors' April 2 game against Cleveland, the team had a scrimmage which Curry participated in. Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters before the Warriors-Cavaliers game that Curry looked liked himself during the action.

"Everything went well. Yeah, he looked good," Kerr told reporters. "He's pretty good. He looks like Steph Curry."

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The Warriors have suffered a number of injuries in the 2025-26 season. So it's no question that getting their superstar and leader back would be huge, not just for the gameplay on court, but to the team morale, as well, Kerr said.

"Yeah, I mean he brings hope to a tough situation," Kerr told reporters. "I thought [Spurs'] game, we were never really in the game, but the guys fought, they competed, they stayed with it until the end. The vibe was good. When Steph's around, the vibe tends to be better. It's definitely better right now so hopefully we'll have another good effort tonight and he'll be on the sidelines cheering. We'll see how it goes the next couple of days but we're obviously dying to get him back."

NBA PLAYOFF BRACKET:Where teams stand, who can clinch berths today

Warriors' playoff race

Curry's return in just in time to get back into basketball shape for the post season.

The Warriors are set to play in the NBA Play-In Tournament, as the won't be able to catch the Western Conference's No. 6 seed before the regular season ends. The Warriors (36-41) arecurrently the No. 10 seed in the Westand have five games remaining before the postseason begins Tuesday, April 14.

Atop them, by three games, are the Los Angeles Clippers (39-38) at the No. 9-slot. The Portland Trail Blazers are 40-38, a half game above the Clippers at No. 8.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Steph Curry injury update: Warriors star expected to return vs Rockets

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April 03, 2026

Stephen Curry likely to make long-awaited injury return for Warriors Sunday

TheGolden State Warriorsare reportedly getting back their superstar this weekend withStephen Curryset to return Sunday fo...

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