Just days after two planes almost collide, two planes make contact at the JFK airport; the latest set of layoffs in big tech is announced; and security concerns over TikTok are affecting universities. These stories and more highlight the daily afternoon rundown for Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
Universities ban TikTok from networks
Security concerns over TikTok aren’t going away. Twenty states have banned the app on all government-issued devices. Now universities are taking similar precautions.
Several universities in Texas, including top-tier University of Texas and Texas A&M are restricting access to TikTok across all of its networks. Meaning, if you’re connected to their Wi-Fi, the TikTok app won’t work on your device.
UT, A&M and University of North Texas are a few schools joining the list of colleges banning the app out of security concerns. The University of Oklahoma, Auburn and the University of Georgia are among others who have disabled TikTok from its devices and network.
Planes bump on runway at JFK airport
Just days after two planes almost collided at the JFK airport in New York, Wednesday morning two planes did make contact. While it was a less serious situation, it’s still another safety concern the FAA is having to answer for.
According to the FAA, two JetBlue airplanes bumped into one another when a plane was pushing back from the gate and struck the tail of another parked plane. There were no injuries reported, and both planes were evacuated and are being inspected for damage.
JetBlue said safety is its first priority and will investigate the incident.
DOJ declined oversight of document search
Special counsel Robert Hur is handling all things related to classified documents in President Biden’s possession. But before an outside prosecutor was named to the case, the Department of Justice considered overseeing the search for classified materials and ultimately decided against it.
After the initial discovery of documents found at an office used by Biden in Washington D.C. The DOJ had an opportunity to assign FBI agents in the search for further classified material.
The Justice Department declined further involvement at the time, leaving it to Biden’s attorneys to search the president’s private residence where more documents would be discovered in his garage and personal library.
According to the report, the DOJ said since Biden and his attorneys were fully cooperating, the department left it alone until intervention of a special counsel was warranted.
Capitol Police report
Threats against U.S. lawmakers decreased in 2022 compared to the year prior. But political tensions that turn into these threats have remained high since 2020.
Breaking down the numbers, in 2022 there were 7,500 threats made against congressional members. In 2021 there were 9,600. And in 2020, 8,600.
So, while 2022 saw an improvement by the thousands, it’s still relatively high compared to years past such as 2017, when there were 3,900 threats made against congress members.
The rise is largely attributed to people on social media with a false sense of protection behind a screen.
Last year’s threats include two high-profile attacks: one on Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin of New York, and the other was the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband.
A media miss by the right
Straight Arrow News aims down the middle when other outlets miss the target.
The previous story has only been covered by the left, and was completely under-reported by the right. If you’d like to learn about other stories that are being under-reported by one side or the other, check out the “Media Miss” tool on our website.
Microsoft announces 10,000 layoffs
The trend of tech giants laying off employees continues with Microsoft workers. Microsoft employees are the latest to get cut from the job. The company estimates 10,000 jobs will get nixed by the end of the third quarter of this year.
It’s the largest layoff Microsoft has had in nearly eight years, and just the latest sign of companies bracing for an economic downturn.
Facebook’s parent company Meta also recently announced 11,000 job cuts. Amazon announced plans to lay off 18,000 of its employees.
Proposed ban of sexually explicit books
Books that contain “sexually explicit” content could soon be banned in North Dakota public libraries. Books that include depictions of sexual or gender identity would be included in the ban.
Proponents say it’s protecting children from exposure to pornography. Critics say it’s discriminatory against books that feature LGBTQ material. The proposal also includes up to 30 days of jail time for librarians who refuse to remove any banned titles.
State lawmakers began debating the bill this week.
