The trial of former Tennessee House speaker and his onetime chief of staff on bribery, kickback and money laundering charges is underway, with defense attorneys arguing that the pair did nothing illegal.

Police say the number of people killed in an apartment building explosion and fire on the English Channel Island of Jersey has risen to five, and four others are still unaccounted for.

Tennessee's former House Speaker Glen Casada and his top aide have been arrested on federal charges including bribery, kickbacks and conspiracy to commit money laundering with federal funds.

A former Tennessee Republican lawmaker has pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge involving a disgraced former state House speaker.