We start the day's other headlines with wildfires in North and South Carolina.

Lighter winds are helping crews fight the blazes that caused evacuations over the weekend.

Officials in South Carolina banned almost all outdoor fires today, including campfires,

after the state's governor declared a state of emergency yesterday.

In North Carolina, the state's Forest Service reported more than 200 wildfires today,

though most of them were small.

Officials across the region warned of poor air quality because of smoke from the blazes.

Authorities have not said what caused the fires, and there have been no reported injuries.

In Illinois, the man accused of killing

seven people and injuring dozens more at a July 4th parade in 2022 pleaded guilty today.

24-year-old Robert Krimo III withdrew his earlier plea of not guilty just minutes before his

trial was set to start. He faced 21 counts of first-degree murder.

Survivors of the mass shooting in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park said they were stunned

by today's developments. It was a shock to hear the words that he was changing his play.

I think every single time I see him, it's stressful. I think it's upsetting

for everyone in our community. And I think just knowing that this is, this plea has been entered

and we will not have to see him again is what we all need to move on. A law firm representing

dozens of survivors says efforts to pursue civil justice

continue. That includes suing the gunmaker of the semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting.

Sentencing for Cremontas is scheduled for late April. He's almost certain to spend life behind bars.

Pope Francis suffered a new breathing crisis today. The Vatican says the 88-year-old

pontiff was put back on non-invasive mechanical ventilation after suffering two new episodes

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