Both chambers of Congress are making moves as a possible government shutdown is just days away. And we take a closer look at the potential impact offshore wind turbines are having on marine life. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
House, Senate vote on bills to avoid government shutdown
It was a busy day on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Sept. 26, as House Republicans voted to advance four conservative spending bills and the Senate introduced a short-term funding bill as a potential government shutdown looms. The House GOP’s bills include federal spending cuts but would fund Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State and Agriculture, but the Democrat-led Senate is likely to turn them down.
The Senate is looking to pass a stop-gap bill which would keep the government open through Nov. 17, and includes $6 billion in funding for Ukraine which is something House Republicans have been against. Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the House would consider its own stop-gap bill that would include a border security provision.
Judge rules Trump committed fraud, lied about value of properties
A New York judge ruled on Tuesday former President Donald Trump repeatedly violated state fraud law, misrepresenting his wealth to banks by as much as $3.6 billion. New York Attorney General Letitia James had requested a decision on this claim before her $250 million civil lawsuit against Trump heads to trial on Oct. 2.
The attorney general sued Trump and the Trump Organization a year ago accusing them of inflating values of their assets like golf courses and the Mar-a-lago estate. The judge said Trump and his organization repeatedly lied on business records and financial statements leading to favorable loan terms and lower insurance costs. The judge has ordered some of Trump’s business licenses be rescinded.
The former president responded to the judge’s ruling on his Truth Social site, saying his company did a “magnificent job” for the state, calling the decision “un-American,” and saying it was “a very sad day for the New York state system of justice!” Trump’s lawyers say they will appeal the judge’s ruling.
At least 100 people killed in Iraq wedding hall fire
At least 100 people were killed and 150 more injured after a fire broke out during a wedding in Northern Iraq on Tuesday. According to the Iraqi Civil Defense, fireworks, candles and other materials used during the celebration set off the blaze inside the wedding hall located 200 miles from the capital of Baghdad.
Officials say the building was covered with highly flammable panels. Video from the scene showed charred metal and debris where the hall collapsed from the heat.
A wedding guest told local media that the bride and groom made it out safely. The Iraqi government has declared a three-day national mourning period following the fatal fire.
FTC, 17 states sue Amazon in antitrust case
The Federal Trade Commission and 17 states have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon in a landmark monopoly case. The FTC and 17 attorneys general allege Amazon unfairly promotes its own platform and services at the expense of third-party sellers using their site to distribute their products.
The lawsuit alleges Amazon wields monopoly power to maintain higher prices on its website harming customers and weakening competition. The lawsuit also claims the online retailer buries discount sellers far down in its search results so that they become “effectively invisible.”
In a statement, Amazon called the case “wrong on the facts and the law.”
Target closing stores in major cities due to retail crime
Target says it will be closing nine stores in major cities next month because of “theft and organized retail crime.” The company says the wave of shoplifting is threatening the safety of its workers and shoppers.
Stores are closing in New York City, Seattle, San Francisco’s Bay Area and Portland, Oregon.
Target CEO Brian Cornell has been outspoken on retail crime and its negative impact on the industry. He says the company’s full-year profitability will reduce by half a billion dollars compared to the year prior due to smash-and-grabs and shoplifting.
Target is not alone as other stores are also dealing with a rise in looting. More than a dozen people were arrested in Philadelphia on Tuesday night after police say several businesses including Apple and Lululemon stores were broken into and ransacked.
Investigation: Offshore wind turbines and marine life
Earlier this week, Straight Arrow News released a two-part series “Against the Wind,” diving into offshore wind turbines and the potential impacts it’s having on marine life. We sat down with investigative reporter Shannon Longworth to discuss her special report after the issue was propelled into the spotlight by former President Trump at a rally on Monday, Sept. 25. See our interview in today’s Morning Rundown. Click here to view the two-part series.
