President Joe Biden commented on the deadly wildfires in Hawaii, and new data showed how television viewers are changing the industry. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Biden speaks on deadly Hawaii wildfires
President Biden has offered his first remarks on the Hawaii wildfires after facing criticism for not commenting on the tragedy. Biden reassured the island of Maui that federal resources were on the ground and there to stay for as long as it takes. Biden also promised a visit with the first lady to the devastated areas “as soon as we can,” saying they don’t want to get in the way of recovery efforts.
The death toll has climbed to 106, with most remains unable to be identified. Residents got their first opportunity to go back to their homes in nearly unrecognizable communities.
For those with no house to go home to, hundreds of hotel rooms have opened up in the area for survivors, along with thousands of Airbnb locations. The search for dozens of missing people on the island was expected to continue on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
Mark Meadows seeks to move Georgia case to federal level
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, one of the listed defendants in Georgia’s 2020 election indictment, has petitioned to move the case to federal court because it involves his work as a federal employee. Former President Donald Trump is expected to pursue a similar route, according to sources who spoke with ABC News.
Attorneys for Meadows said they are also pushing to dismiss the charges against him, saying nothing he’s accused of in the indictment is criminal. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has ordered Meadows, former President Trump and the other 17 defendants to turn themselves in by Aug. 25.
North Korea claims U.S. soldier was racially discriminated against
For the first time, North Korea offered public remarks on the U.S. soldier who darted into North Korean territory in July of 2023. A spokesperson for the North said Travis King was seeking refuge from the U.S. Army after being racially discriminated against and receiving “inhumane mistreatment.”
The spokesperson said King, who was facing discipline on assault allegations in South Korea, had the intent of staying in North Korea when he decided to cross into the country.
It is common for North Korea to highlight racism in the United States to deflect criticism of its own human rights record. The comments on King came just a day before the U.N. Security Council was set to discuss human rights issues in North Korea.
Gas prices on the rise as Labor Day approaches
As Labor Day weekend approaches, gas prices have been on the rise and are at their highest point they’ve been all year. According to AAA, the national average price for regular gasoline sits at $3.87 per gallon as of Aug. 16, up from $3.56 from this time last month.
$3.87 is the highest the national average has been since October of 2022. The average price of gas in California and Washington was over $5 per gallon on Aug. 16.
Experts have said oil supply cuts abroad are impacting the price of gas at home. The national average is still lower than it was at this time in 2022, when the average was $3.94 per gallon.
Broadcast television, cable viewership falls to record lows in July
Broadcast television and cable viewership has continued to fall, hitting record lows in July. For the first time ever, the two forms of linear television made up less than half of all TV viewership.
Nielsen, who tracks television ratings, said broadcast viewing for the month of July was just 20% of all TV viewership. Streaming services like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video reached a record high of 38.7% of TV viewership.
Nielsen also disclosed the most watched programs. They include the drama “Suits” on Netflix and Peacock, as well as the children’s series “Bluey” streaming on Disney+.
iPhone ‘end call’ button may not move after all
Apple has appeared to reverse its decision to move the “end-call” button’s position in its upcoming iOS update. Earlier in August, reports showed the red button changing spots to the bottom right corner of the phone’s screen.
New images from the latest beta testing showed the button back where users are familiar with seeing it, in the bottom center of the screen. However, the button was among other options, which would be a change from the standalone position it currently has.
Apple has not commented on where the button will end up.