US Domestic News Briefs with Legal and Political Highlights

The summary covers significant US domestic news including Trump’s revised indictment, Supreme Court’s ruling on family planning grants, a trial in Matthew Perry's death, allegations against former NY Governor's aide, legal challenges to Biden’s debt relief plan, internet routing security efforts, hotel workers’ strikes, Kamala Harris’s tax proposal, extreme heat in the West, and Chinese online influence operations.

The landscape of US domestic news witnessed significant events today, from legal battles to political maneuvers. Former President Donald Trump plans to plead not guilty to criminal charges in a revised indictment aiming to nullify his 2020 election defeat. Trump authorized his lawyers to enter the plea, absenting himself from court.

In a critical decision, the US Supreme Court backed the Biden administration's move to cut $4.5 million in federal family planning grants for Oklahoma, penalizing the state for ceasing abortion-related counseling referrals. The court denied Oklahoma's bid to continue the funding during an appeal.

Meanwhile, a California doctor and a female accomplice face trial in March for allegedly providing ketamine to 'Friends' actor Matthew Perry before his fatal overdose. Both defendants have denied the charges.

Additionally, former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Linda Sun, alongside her husband, Chris Hu, faces criminal charges for purportedly acting as agents of the Chinese government, reaping millions in covert benefits.

In another legal arena, seven Republican-controlled states sued to contest Biden's latest student debt relief plan, in response to the Supreme Court recently shutting down a different relief proposal. The Department of Education plans to proceed with loan cancellations regardless.

Reacting to concerns over China's ability to misdirect internet traffic, the White House urged federal agencies to strengthen internet routing security. An outlined report by the National Cyber Director emphasized efforts to mitigate vulnerabilities associated with the Border Gateway Protocol.

Labor unrest saw a resolution in hotel workers' strikes in Baltimore and Seattle while thousands continue their strike in seven other cities. Talks with major hotel chains had reached an impasse, sparking these multi-city protests.

Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled an ambitious proposal to offer up to $50,000 in tax deductions for new small businesses, a move aimed to support middle-class Americans and distinguish her economic policies from Donald Trump's.

The Western US braces for an oncoming heatwave with desert areas potentially hitting 120°F and Phoenix marking over 100 days with temperatures exceeding 100°F, posing major health risks to vulnerable populations.

Lastly, a Chinese state-linked influence operation was found meddling in US politics by posing as American voters to sow division ahead of the presidential election, a new research by intelligence firm Graphika disclosed.

(With inputs from agencies.)