Ryan Lucas

The Washington Post says in a new court filing that the Trump administration's search of reporter Hannah Nathanson's Virginia home and the seizure of her confidential news gathering materials violate the Constitution's free speech protections and should not be allowed to stand.

The paper urges the court to order the immediate return of all the seized materials, including two computers, a cell phone, and an external hard drive.

FBI agents seized those items during a court-authorized search last week as part of an investigation into a defense contractor.

Magistrate Judge William Porter set a hearing for early next month on the Post's legal challenge and has ordered the government to preserve, but not review, the materials taken in the search until the court authorizes it to do so.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

Authorities say the defendant, Christian Sturdivant, was plotting to use knives and a hammer to carry out an attack at a grocery store and a fast food restaurant in Mint Hill, North Carolina.

Court papers say Sturdivant had been in touch about his plans with two individuals who he thought were members of ISIS, but were in fact undercover law enforcement officers.

He allegedly pledged allegiance to the terrorist group as well.

The FBI conducted a court-authorized search of Sturdivant's home, where they found knives and a hammer under his bed.

as well as a document that allegedly contained detailed plans for an attack.

He was arrested on New Year's Eve before any attack took place.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

The 30-year-old was arrested on December 4 after a nearly five-year FBI investigation.

Prosecutors argue that Brian Cole Jr.

is a danger to the community and that he should remain in custody as his case moves to trial.

The defense team says Cole has been diagnosed with autism, that he poses no threat to the community, and that he should be released.

Now in a ruling, Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh has sided with the government and ordered that Cole remain in jail pending trial, in part because of the serious nature of Cole's alleged offense, planting two pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Party headquarters on January 5, 2021.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

Authorities say the defendant, Christian Sturdivant, was plotting to use knives and a hammer to carry out an attack at a grocery store and a fast food restaurant in Mint Hill, North Carolina.

Court papers say Sturdivant had been in touch about his plans with two individuals who he thought were members of ISIS but were in fact undercover law enforcement officers.