Pope Benedict is being laid to rest today; severe storms batter California; and it’s day three of voting for a House speaker. These stories and more highlight your morning rundown for Thursday, Jan 5, 2023.
McCarthy’s concessions for speakership
House Representative Kevin McCarthy is said to be offering more concessions today to try and win over the handful of Republicans voting against him for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Thursday will mark day three — and the seventh round — of voting for a speaker.
“Let’s stop with the campaign smears and tactics to get people to turn against us. Even having my favorite president call us and tell us we need to knock this off. I think it actually needs to be reversed. The president needs to tell Kevin McCarthy that, sir, you do not have the votes and it’s time to withdraw,” Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said.
McCarthy’s latest concessions include a rules change to allow just one member to call for a vote to oust a sitting speaker. He will allow more of the holdout Republicans to serve on the powerful House Rules Committee. That means they’ll be able to help dictate which bills come to the floor for a vote.
And bills the hold-outs have been asking for will become a priority, which include proposing term limits and a border security plan.
We’ll learn if it’s enough to win them over as voting continues this afternoon.
8 family members shot, killed in Utah
A small town in Utah is grappling with a devastating discovery. Eight family members were found shot dead inside of their home. Five of the victims were children.
Authorities don’t believe there are any suspects at large.
Police found the family after someone called in for a welfare check. A motive for the killings is still unknown as officials begin a lengthy investigation.
Extradition opens door for affidavit
We’re another step closer to receiving details about the Idaho murders. Alleged killer Bryan Kohberger arrived back in Idaho last night. Which means the probable cause affidavit could soon be unsealed.
Kohberger’s latest mugshot was taken after he arrived at an Idaho jail. Under state law, a defendant must be in the state before an affidavit is publicly released.
That legal document typically includes facts that police use in order to issue an arrest. With extradition complete, answers could be around the corner.
California storm causes flooding, mudslides
A powerful storm system off the coast of California has already turned deadly. Dangerous conditions are expected to continue into tonight.
Widespread flooding, power outages, impassable roads, and mudslides all threaten Northern and Central California. A state of emergency has already been declared. A toddler died after a tree fell on a home. And a 19 year old died driving on a flooded road. Areas prone to mudslides have been evacuated.
Officials are calling it one of the most impactful storms California has faced in the last five years.
“The most important thing people can do is to keep themselves out of harm’s way, which means to the extent possible, please do not travel or go outside. We advise that includes staying off the roads. If you have to be out and you encounter a flooded area, please do not drive through it,” Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director for the Department of Emergency Management, said.
China’s data on COVID in question
The world is watching China, concerned over a heightened level of COVID cases and hoping it doesn’t spread like it did in 2020.
Right now, hospitals in Beijing are at capacity. There’s no more bed space for patients with COVID despite ambulances bringing more people in.
The sharp increase in cases coincides with the easing of COVID restrictions in the country. Many governments including the U.S. are requiring travelers from China to test negative for COVID.
President Joe Biden openly voiced concern. And the World Health Organization bluntly said Beijing is under reporting deaths and other COVID data. Just today China refuted those claims and said “the situation is controllable.”
Funeral service for Pope Benedict
Tens of thousands of people attended the Vatican today, as former Pope Benedict was laid to rest with a funeral mass.
Pope Francis presided over the funeral and paid tribute to his predecessor.
Pope Benedict stepped down nearly 10 years ago. He was the first to do so in six centuries.
Pope Benedict died on Dec. 31. He was 95 years old.
