View online.

YOUR MORNING

Nearly 2,200 people arrested during pro-Palestinian protests on US college campuses

Protest arrests: Police have arrested nearly 2,200 people during pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the U.S. in recent weeks. An analysis by The Associated Press recorded at least 56 incidents of arrests at 43 different U.S. colleges or universities since April 18. Full breakdown of the numbers >

New York protests: After breaking up protests and encampments at Columbia University and The City University of New York this week, the NYPD confirmed to NewsNation that 134 of the 282 arrested demonstrators were nonstudents. New York University requested NYPD’s assistance Friday morning to disperse an encampment on its property. What we know >

UCLA demonstrations: Confrontations at UCLA played out for several days this week. On a call Thursday afternoon, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block told alumni that matters escalated after a permitted pro-Israel rally was held on campus Sunday, fights broke out and “live mice” were thrown into the pro-Palestinian camp later that day. In the days that followed, Block said administrators tried to find a peaceful solution, but he said counterdemonstrators attacked the pro-Palestinian camp late Tuesday. Police tried dismantling the encampment, issuing a disperse order before deploying flash-bangs and tearing down barriers. Before officers moved in, protesters shouted chants including “You don’t scare us” and “We’re not leaving.” Hundreds left voluntarily and another 200-plus stayed and were taken into custody. The encampment was cleared by Thursday afternoon with almost all tents taken down. What’s happening now >

Graduation ceremonies: With student protests over the Israel-Hamas war disrupting U.S. college campuses, universities are trying to ensure commencement ceremonies go off without a hitch this weekend. Some colleges are ramping up security efforts while pledging to also honor free-speech rights. Here’s how some schools are planning to balance things >

Fraternity brothers protect flag: While enduring insults and flying water bottles, about a dozen fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina stood their ground around the American flag Tuesday. “These people wanted to tear down the flag, and we were there to protect it,” Pi Kappa Phi member Brendan Rosenblum told NewsNation’s “On Balance.” “Me and my friends did not allow that to happen.” After hearing what happened, country music star John Rich reached out to the students and offered to perform for the fraternity for free. Nearly half a million dollars have been raised for the fraternity brothers. Watch the interview with Rich here >

Paramedics called over Britney Spears’ mental health

What happened: Paramedics were reportedly called to respond to Britney Spears over mental health concerns. People reportedly heard the pop star screaming and out of control in the hallways of the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, where she was staying with her ex Paul Richard Soliz. Spears has denied dating Soliz. Images show Spears walking outside with paramedics, appearing to be wearing only her underwear while wrapped in a blanket and holding a pillow to her chest. Spears returned home without Soliz. She posted on social media, appearing to suggest the photos were of body doubles, and said she’s getting stronger each day. The latest >

Conservatorship: Spears, 42, has returned to the spotlight after being released from a conservatorship run by her family members. She was placed under conservatorship in 2008 following several public episodes and hospitalization after losing custody of her two children to ex-husband Kevin Federline. The arrangement allowed those in charge of her guardianship to control aspects of her life including her finances. The “Oops! … I Did It Again” singer kept working under the conservatorship but started petitioning the court for changes in 2019. The next year, fans ignited the #freeBritney movement, and Spears refused to work as long as her father stayed on the conservatorship. In 2021, the conservatorship ended, allowing her to have control over her life for the first time in nearly 14 years. Recently, fans and those close to Spears have expressed concerns over her mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, dial 988 to reach the National Crisis Line. What the star’s former adviser says about the conservatorship >

Maui sues cell carriers over wildfire warning alerts that were never received during service outages

What’s going on: Maui has sued Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Spectrum Mobile and AT&T, claiming the major cell carriers were negligent in failing to properly inform Maui police of widespread outage services during last year’s deadly wildfires. In the lawsuit, county officials said had emergency responders known about the outages, they would have used other methods to warn people about the disaster. Alerts the county sent to cellphones warning people to evacuate were never received, the lawsuit said. T-Mobile called the claims “baseless.” A closer look at the lawsuit >

Family desperate to save newborn twins after insurance denial

A family’s fight: A Missouri couple is fighting to save their newborn twins after the family’s insurance said it would not cover a potentially lifesaving treatment. The two twin boys were diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called “spinal muscular atrophy” days after they were born, the family said. The disease causes muscles to waste away, and without treatment, people can have trouble breathing and swallowing. Each boy needs a one-time gene therapy treatment, but the couple said their insurance stopped covering the therapy exactly one day after the boys were born. “Their life expectancy is one to two years without treatment,” the twins’ mother, Amanda Reed, told local news station KCTV. “It’s just been a nightmare, an absolute nightmare.” The treatment is expected to cost the family between $1 million and $2.5 million out-of-pocket per child, according to a GoFundMe set up to help the twins. Read more >

 WHAT WE’RE WATCHING 👀

We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media!

• Former President Donald Trump headlines a donor retreat in Florida with potential running mate picks.

• The U.S. Labor Department is set to release its monthly employment report.

• President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to people who “have made exemplary contributions to the country.”
  

NEWS ACROSS AMERICA

A man known as “El Escorpion,” the alleged leader of a group the DEA accuses of flooding Los Angeles with fentanyl, meth and other illicit drugs, is due in federal court this month. Full breakdown of the case >

Four men have been charged in connection with an alleged conspiracy to drive dozens of migrants in a locked trailer several hundred miles to Houston, Texas. Read more >

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has offered to open the city’s doors to migrants seeking work, but he says his recent comments on social media do not mean he is pushing for sanctuary city status for Missouri’s largest municipality. His take >

Interstate 95 will be closed in Connecticut for days after a tanker fire damaged a bridge over the highway. What to know >

A heartbreaking letter reveals the New York man who inspired the film “Saving Private Ryan” hoped to return to Normandy for the 40th anniversary of D-Day. He did not make it. Full letter >

A Pennsylvania nurse was fired and later charged over the possible diversion of drugs. Latest on the case >

Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen and Market locations closed a little more than a week ago, but products remain on shelves of both retailers and are at risk of going to waste. This Chicago group wants to step in >

Cruise ship passengers can bare all on the “Big Nude Boat,” which will set sail from Florida on a 10-day voyage to the Caribbean in 2025. What to know about the nude cruise >

Also in the Sunshine State, a 9-foot alligator was caught walking near an elementary school north of Tampa. Watch the video >

Mother and daughter duo to graduate together at Penn State

Penn State’s 2024 graduation is bringing one family together, but in a different way than you might think. Mother Renee Gibson is set to graduate with a degree in social sciences, and her daughter Clare Gibson is graduating with a degree in meteorology. Read more > 

Find a good news story each day in NewsNation’s Your Morning newsletter! Subscribe >