Rick Perry

Bundy, 15 others plead not guiltyPORTLAND, Ore. — Ammon Bundy and another 15 defendants pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal conspiracy charges related to the 41-day occupation of an Oregon wildlife refuge. Several of the accused, however, expressed doubt that they enjoy the presumption of innocence.Bundy sat at the main defense table while most of his co-defendants sat in the jury box as they listened to a government prosecutor read the indictment and U.S. District Judge Anna Brown tell them their rights.Brown reminded the defendants that they are considered innocent until proven guilty. One by one, she asked them if they understood. Bundy simply said “yes,” but four co-defendants took the opportunity to express doubt.“It’s difficult to understand presumption of innocence when I’ve spent the last month in a jail cell and been led around in shackles and chains,” Ryan Payne said.Another, Jason Patrick, told the judge: “You’re the federal government; you’re going to do whatever you want.”The judge set an April 29 trial date, though that seems unlikely to occur. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight said he expects to file a superseding indictment with additional charges after investigators finish examining firearms, electronics, American Indian artifacts and other evidence.

Court clears former Texas governorAUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ highest criminal court on Wednesday cleared Rick Perry of all wrongdoing in the abuse-of-power case against him, netting a huge victory for the former governor who blamed his failed bid for the White House on the high-profile indictments.“I’m proud to say today that the court upheld the rule of law and the fundamental right of any person to speak freely without fear of political interference or legal intimidation,” Perry said at a news conference hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “I’ve always known that the actions that I took were not only lawful and legal, they were right.”But Perry may not be completely out of the woods yet. Michael McCrum, one of two San Antonio attorneys who prosecuted the case, said he was trying to figure out whether he could, and should, resurrect the charges.

NYC eateries must post salt warningsNEW YORK — Large chain restaurants and fast-food eateries in the nation’s most populous city can be fined up to $600 beginning next week for not posting salt warnings on menu items that contain more than the recommended daily dose of sodium, a judge ruled Wednesday.“Some people love salty food and are just going to eat those salty foods regardless of whether there’s a salt icon next to it,” Supreme Court Justice Eileen Rakower said from the bench. “I believe information is power.”The ruling dismissed a challenge from the National Restaurant Association brought just days after the first-of-its-kind rule was enacted in December. It is but the latest in a series of healthy eating measures pioneered by New York City public health officials that have been challenged in the courts, including an overturned rule limiting the size of sugary drinks.