Dozens of protesters were arrested after Columbia University calls in the NYPD. Dave and Buster’s is adding something new to its arcade games — a betting option. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Dozens arrested as NYPD clears Hamilton Hall, Columbia encampments
Columbia University is limiting access to its main campus on Wednesday, May 1, morning to only students who live there after nearly 100 people were arrested Tuesday night, April 30. The arrests occurred when officers with the New York Police Department were called to clear an academic building that had been overtaken hours earlier by pro-Palestinian protesters.
NYPD officers moved in a little after 9 p.m. at the university’s request, using a police vehicle with a ramp to access the second floor of Hamilton Hall after protesters had barricaded themselves inside.
In a letter to the NYPD stating the matter requires “the use of emergency authority,” Columbia President Minouche Shafik wrote that an individual had hidden inside Hamilton Hall after it was closed to let others in.
While the group of protesters involved students, Shafik said it was being led by people not affiliated with the university.
Just before 11 p.m., the NYPD said Hamilton Hall was clear and the campus tent encampments had been removed.
The NYPD reported no injuries occurred during Tuesday night’s police action.
Columbia’s president has requested the NYPD to remain on campus until at least May 17, two days after graduation, to “maintain order and ensure that encampments are not re-established.”
Columbia University said its decision to call in the police was in response to the actions of the protesters, not their cause.
Additionally, the NYPD was called to the City College of New York after it was reported that a large group of people marched from Columbia to its campus. At least 25 people were arrested there.
Speaker Johnson announces House crackdown on antisemitism on campuses
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other House Republicans are intensifying their criticism of the nationwide college protests linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
At a press conference, Johnson described the situation at Columbia University as “out of control” and urged President Joe Biden to adopt a firmer stance on the issue.
House Republicans are advocating for cuts in federal funding to colleges that host these protests and have initiated an investigation into how university administrations manage these demonstrations. They are also pushing for a congressional hearing with several university presidents to further address the situation.
Meanwhile, the House is preparing to vote on the “Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023.” This legislation aims to clarify the definition of antisemitism for the application of anti-discrimination laws, though it has encountered opposition from some Democrats over the act’s definition of antisemitism.
Trump fined $9,000 as trial continues with second week of testimony
Wednesday, May 1, is an off day in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in New York.
Tuesday’s proceedings began with the judge fining Trump $9,000 for violating the judge’s gag order — $1,000 for each violation. The judge warned the former president that future violations could lead to jail time.
A hearing on additional alleged violations is scheduled for Thursday, May 2.
Jurors heard testimony from Gary Farro, the banker who assisted Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen in opening the account used to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels the $130,000 hush money payment at the center of the prosecution’s case.
Keith Davidson, a lawyer who represented Daniels, also testified about how he negotiated the deal between his client and Cohen.
The judge did make one decision in Trump’s favor on Tuesday, announcing there would be no court on May 17 so the former president can attend his son Barron’s high school graduation.
DEA will move to reclassify marijuana in historic shift
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is on the brink of a historic move that could reshape American drug policy. On Tuesday, April 30, the Associated Press reported that the agency is preparing to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug, recognizing its medical uses and low potential for abuse.
The reclassification proposal comes after a recommendation by the federal Health and Human Services Department. If approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget, the process would then move to a public comment period.
The move comes after Biden’s call for a review of federal cannabis laws in October 2022. He also pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of simple possession.
Recent polls show growing support for legalization with 70% of adults in favor, according to Gallup.
However, not everyone is on board with the DEA’s decision. Former DEA Deputy Administrator Jack Riley expressed concerns about the potential risks, citing cannabis as a possible gateway drug.
Earlier mammogram screenings could save more lives
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that women start getting mammograms every other year beginning at age 40, a shift from previous guidelines that advised starting at age 50.
This change is intended to address rising breast cancer rates among women in their 40s and could save up to 20% more lives compared to earlier guidelines.
While the American Cancer Society recommends annual screenings starting at age 45 and the American College of Radiology suggests beginning at age 40, the task force found that biennial screenings minimize the occurrence of false positives and unnecessary procedures without significantly compromising health outcomes.
Insurance companies often follow the task force guidelines for coverage, though most insurers already cover breast cancer screenings at the age of 40.
Dave & Buster’s to allow betting on its arcade games
Heading to Dave and Buster’s with your friends could soon earn you some money. The entertainment chain announced Tuesday, April 30, it will allow customers to wager on its arcade games.
The company is partnering with a gaming provider to create a betting feature in its app. There will be a limit to the size of the bets, but exactly how much has not been disclosed.
The betting function is expected to launch in the next few months.
