Luigi Mangione to enter plea in federal court and low morale aboard USS Abraham Lincoln: Morning Rundown

Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty to federal stalking charges in connection with the killing of a healthcare CEO. An American’s home is among those besieged by Israeli settlers. And new research shows ticks that cause Lyme disease are migrating south.

Add NBC News to Google Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty in federal case 02:23 Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty to federal stalking charges in connection with the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to sources familiar with the matter. A pretrial conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET at Manhattan federal court.

The brazen killing of Thompson, who led the nation’s largest health insurer, put a spotlight on the industry and widespread public frustration over denied claims.

Sources familiar with the matter said negotiations over a potential plea agreement were ongoing and that nothing is final until Mangione accepts a deal. He could also change his decision during the hearing.

Mangione faces two federal charges — interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death — but it remains unclear whether he will plead guilty to both. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Add NBC News to Google USS Abraham Lincoln to head home amid concerns about living conditions 01:33 One sailor’s mother described life aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as a “scene out of ‘American Horror Story,’ where … everybody’s dead, but they don’t know it yet.” Another mother, whose daughter is also serving on the carrier, said sailors are receiving smaller portions of food. Both said their children had told them that a sailor jumped overboard.

They are among family members and lawmakers calling for accountability as the Lincoln’s deployment approaches 250 days with no end in sight. The carrier left San Diego on Nov. 21 and has been in the Middle East supporting the war against Iran. Its deployment was initially scheduled to end in May but was later extended.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said reports about conditions aboard the carrier have been “completely misrepresented,” while a Navy official rejected claims of an increase in mental health issues. The Defense Department plans to replace the Lincoln with another carrier, the USS George Washington, a U.S. official said, but the swap will take several weeks to complete.

Add NBC News to Google U.S. Ambassador Huckabee condemns ‘Israeli terrorists’ for siege of West Bank homes 04:03 Jewish settlers have infiltrated Palestinian homes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, cutting off water and electricity and blocking access roads to prevent food from reaching residents. Mo Ridi, whose family owns a home in the village of Qusra, said his brother, Qusay, and 18-year-old nephew Ahmed are trapped inside. “What they’ve been telling us basically is the settlers want them to move out of the house so they can move in,” said Ridi, who lives in Toledo, Ohio.

Qusra is supposed to be under Palestinian civilian and security control, and Israeli civilians are barred from entering.