Protests on the campus of Columbia University escalate overnight, now with the occupation of a building there.

We'll have the latest on that situation and the growing demonstrations on campuses across the country.

That comes as there is some optimism that a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages could soon be reached.

We'll bring you those developments out of the Middle East.

And also ahead, a preview of what we can expect in court today when Donald Trump's hush money trial resumes in Manhattan.

Music Donald Trump's hush money trial resumes in Manhattan. Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Tuesday, April 30th.

I'm Jonathan Lemire.

Thanks for starting your day with us.

And we'll begin this morning with the growing unrest at Columbia University. Overnight, pro-Palestudian student protesters

occupied a campus building. It's Hamilton Hall, the same building that students took over back in

the 1960s. That building, just a few hundred feet away from the Gaza encampment

site. It came just hours after the university began suspending students who refused to leave that

encampment. The tents have been up for nearly two weeks, and the university wants to clear the

area before graduation scheduled for May 15th.

The protesters held a press conference yesterday afternoon, saying the university has not made

significant concessions to their main demands. The group wants Colombia to divest from companies

with links to the Israeli occupation of Gaza.

The students also claim Colombia has stopped negotiations.

As a result, they say they will, quote, not be moved unless by force.

And as we keep an eye on the situation, they're uptown here in Manhattan.

Protests are also escalating at other college campuses.

The University of Texas, protesters clashed with police resulting in dozens of arrests.

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