In the Nation

CALIFORNIA

Highway officer

could face charges

A California Highway Patrol officer who was videotaped repeatedly striking a woman on the side of a Los Angeles freeway could face serious charges, the agency said Wednesday after forwarding its inquiry to the district attorney.

Officer Daniel Andrew, who was on a desk assignment after the incident, was removed from duty and put on paid a leave, the CHP said.

The agency said in a news release that its report outlined potentially serious charges he could face. It did not specify possible charges.

The July 1 incident sparked ire as video showed Andrew hitting Marlene Pinnock, 51, several times along I-10.

He said in his report Pinnock was a danger to herself and had tried to walk into traffic. Drivers had called dispatchers to say a barefoot woman was on the I-10 shoulder and seemed drunk or high. Her lawyer said she was bipolar and had not taken her medication. - AP
VIRGINIA

McDonnell testifies

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell took the stand Wednesday and told jurors that the former CEO of a dietary- supplements maker who gave him thousands of dollars in gifts and loans did not get special treatment. He also touched on his relationship with his wife, a frequent topic during the 18 days of testimony. "I could tell she was not as happy as I was about the result," he said of her becoming first lady in 2009. - AP
ARKANSAS

Pryor ad defends ACA

In a new campaign ad, Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor, a red-state Democrat, cited his battle with cancer 18 years ago to explain his support for the Affordable Care Act. He said the experience helped him back a law that prevents insurers from denying policies for preexisting conditions. The campaign of his challenger, Rep. Tom Cotton, said it was thankful that Pryor survived but that the ACA hurt the middle class and small businesses. - AP