Trump jurors hear secret recording in hush money trial, Arizona repeals its near-total abortion ban and evacuations called amid Texas floods

Good morning, folks. Something to look out for this weekend: The annual Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks before dawn on Sunday. Here’s how to see it. Now, on to the news.

NEED TO KNOW

Trump trial nears end of 2nd week

Today marks the end of the second week of Donald Trump’s criminal trial into whether he falsified internal business records to cover up hush money payments before the 2016 election.

The latest: Jurors heard a secret recording made by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen of him talking to Trump about a payment allegedly made to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. [Yahoo News]

Contempt allegations: Judge Juan Merchan also heard arguments on whether Trump violated his gag order in four more instances, but he hasn’t made a ruling. Prosecutors seek fines, not jail time, for potential violations. [AP]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

??? Texas floods

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 59 counties amid “life-threatening” storms and flooding. In the Houston area, officials called for evacuations, and more than 20,000 residents are without power. [ABC News]

??? Arizona’s abortion law

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a repeal of an 1864 state law that banned nearly all abortions. The repeal won’t go into effect until this fall — meaning women may not be able to obtain abortions there for months. [Yahoo News]

?? Biden on campus protests

President Biden rejected calls from protesters on college campuses to change his stance on the war in Gaza. “Dissent is essential for democracy,” he said. “But dissent must never lead to disorder.” [AP]

?? IRS’s new audit plan

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel unveiled the agency’s three-year plan, including a “sharp increase” in audits. However, he says that people who earn less than $400,000 annually won’t face new scrutiny. [CBS News]

?? Knicks advancement

The Knicks are advancing in the playoffs. Last night’s 76ers matchup was also Jalen Brunson’s fourth straight playoff game scoring at least 37 points — a feat last achieved by Michael Jordan in 1993. [Yahoo Sports]

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY

?? The Fall Guy, the action comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, is in theaters. (More on that below.) [Washington Post]

?? Season 3 of Selling the OC, the Orange County spin-off of Selling Sunset, is on Netflix. Watch the trailer. [People]

?? In the NBA playoffs, the Mavericks play the Clippers at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Mavericks lead the series 3-2. [Los Angeles Times]

?? In the NHL playoffs, the Stars and the Golden Knights play at 10 p.m. ET on TNT. The Stars are up 3-2 in the series. [USA Today]

?? And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 2011, Chicago Bulls player Derrick Rose became the NBA’s youngest MVP at age 22. [AP]

3 QUESTIONS

...about The Fall Guy

Ryan Gosling’s new film The Fall Guy is now in theaters. Streaming Editor Danica Creahan, a Gosling fan who knows everything about this movie, tells us what to expect.

Lily: What’s The Fall Guy about?

Danica: It’s an action movie about making an action movie. Ryan Gosling plays a stuntman tracking down his latest film’s star. If the meta premise isn’t enough to intrigue you, his chemistry with “Barbenheimer” rival Emily Blunt might do the trick.

Lily: What are critics saying about it?

Danica: I’ve seen them say that Gosling’s golden locks have ushered in his “golden age” as an actor and that he brings his A game to this movie.

Lily: How did the film’s stunts break records?

Danica: It broke a world record previously held by the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale for most cannon rolls in a car. Director David Leitch used to be a stuntman himself, so this wasn’t his first rodeo.

What did it take to make those cannon rolls happen? Watch a behind-the-scenes clip.

FEEL-GOOD MOMENT

Amateur photographer Michael Sanchez got the birding community talking when he posted his photo of what’s believed to be a blue rock thrush — a bird never officially seen in the U.S. before. [USA Today]

Have a great weekend. See you on Monday!

?? P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: If you plan to get a travel credit card, make sure its rewards and benefits match your current spending habits. [Yahoo Finance]

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