WASHINGTON, D.C.

Tax bill has section on rights of unborn

Tucked away in the Republican tax bill are several provisions aimed at appeasing conservative lawmakers. The bill released Thursday includes changes that would codify the rights of unborn children and allow tax-exempt religious organizations to engage in political activities. Antiabortion activists have long sought to enshrine into federal law the recognition of the unborn, and the bill would add such language to rules for education savings vehicles known as 529 accounts. (New York Times)

IDAHO

Execution backed in killing of officer

COEUR D’ALENE — A jury voted unanimously Saturday that a 29-year-old man who shot and killed a Coeur d’Alene police officer should be sentenced to death. The same 12-member panel last month found Jonathan Renfro guilty of first-degree murder and robber in the May 2015 killing of Sergeant Greg Moore. A sentencing hearing is set for Monday. (AP)

NEW YORK

Suit fights Trump on Twitter blocking

NEW YORK — Lawyers in a suit challenging President Trump for blocking some critics from following him on Twitter have asked a federal court judge in Manhattan to rule that the messages are an “instrument of governance’’ and cannot be blocked. Government lawyers have argued that Trump has the right to choose not to hear some voices. The suit was filed by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and seven critics of the president. (AP)

CALIFORNIA

City panel approves stun guns for police

SAN FRANCISCO — The city Police Commission has voted to arm officers with electric stun guns in the wake of a deadly shooting. Friday’s 4-to-3 vote was met with shouts of ‘‘Shame’ from activists who contend that the weapons can kill and might escalate rather than deescalate confrontations, leading to deadly encounters. (AP)