Severe weather roars through several states; Tesla sales fall; ‘SCTV’ star Joe Flaherty dies

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll finds that most Americans share many core values on what it means to be an American despite the country’s deep political polarization. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 9 in 10 U.S. adults say the right to vote, the right to equal protection under the law and the right to privacy are important or very important to the U.S.’s identity as a nation.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Donald Trump is suing two co-founders of Trump Media & Technology Group, the newly public parent company of his Truth Social platform, arguing that they should forfeit their stock in the company because they set it up improperly. The former president’s lawsuit, which was filed on March 24, follows a complaint filed in February by Andy Litinsky and Wes Moss, who asked a Delaware court to block Trump from taking steps the two said would sharply reduce their 8.6% stake in Trump Media.

ISTANBUL (AP) — A deadly fire that spread through an Istanbul nightclub during renovations was likely caused by welding sparks coming into contact with combustible material, Turkish news reports say. The fire engulfed the popular Masquerade nightclub on Tuesday, trapping workers and club employees inside and killing 29 people.

In other news:

• Lawsuit seeks to force ban on menthol cigarettes after months of delays by Biden administration.
• Tesla sales fall nearly 9% to start the year as competition heats up and demand for EVs slows.
• Largest fresh egg producer in US halts production at Texas plant after bird flu found in chickens.
• After welcoming guests for 67 years, the Tropicana Las Vegas casino's final day has arrived.
• Freight railroads must keep two-person crews, according to new federal rule.
• Amazon is removing Just Walk Out technology from its Fresh grocery stores in the US.
• College newspaper sweeps up 2 tiny publications in a volley against growing news deserts.
• 15 Miranda Lambert, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj submit letter to AI developers to honor artists' rights.
• ‘SCTV’ star and comedian Joe Flaherty has died at 82 after an illness, his daughter says.
• John Sinclair, a marijuana activist who was immortalized in a John Lennon song, dies at 82.
• Larry Lucchino, force behind retro ballpark revolution and drought-busting Red Sox, dies at 78.
• The 76ers get their star center back, the NBA's Western Conference remains tight, the NHL playoff races are heating up, and the Phillies Bryce Harper had a huge game on a busy night in Major League Baseball. Correspondent Mike Reeves reports.