Jurors have started deliberations in an Oath Keepers trial; Ukrainians face deadly winter; and Alabama has paused executions after errors. These stories and more highlight the midday rundown for Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
Jurors begin deliberations in Oath Keepers trial
A jury is now deliberating in the trial against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four other people inside the Capitol on Jan. 6.
The jury has nearly two months of testimony to review and consider to decide whether to find them guilty of seditious conspiracy. The charge hasn’t been successfully prosecuted in more than 25 years.
While the jury meets in one trial revolving around the 2020 election, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will be testifying in a Georgia courtroom in a 2020 election probe.
A long legal fight preceded Graham’s grand jury testimony. Graham will be asked about his conversations with elections officials following the results out of Georgia.
W.H.O.: Millions of Ukrainians will face “life-threatening” winter
“Continued attacks on health and energy infrastructure mean hundreds of hospitals and healthcare facilities are no longer fully operational, lacking fuel, water and electricity to meet basic needs,” W.H.O. Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge said.
The World Health Organization has detailed some of the circumstances Ukrainians are dealing with as Russia continuously sends air-strikes into civilian areas, where important infrastructure and resources have been taken out.
Authorities are already evacuating some residents in areas where there is a lack of power, water and heat.
The W.H.O. said millions will face a “life-threatening” winter ahead.
Alabama executions paused after errors
Death row executions in the state of Alabama have been put on pause. The governor is asking for a review in the state’s capital punishment system after a third lethal injection went wrong.
An attempted execution last week failed, marking the second time in two months where an issue with connecting the intravenous line occurred.
The issue occurred in another failed execution four years ago. The governor is now seeking a state investigation into death row procedures. Until then, no executions will take place.
Alabama is one of 27 states where the death penalty is legal.
Oregon pardons marijuana convictions
The governor of Oregon is pardoning thousands of marijuana convictions on her way out of office, answering the call of the president after Biden announced a mass pardon at the federal level and urged states to follow suit.
Governor Kate Brown, D, is removing more than 47,000 convictions for marijuana possession of one ounce or less. The move will also forgive more than $14 million in fines and fees associated with the offenses.
The governor’s pardon will affect more than 45,000 people.
Five other states have made similar decisions following the president’s pardon.
Another crypto on brink of bankruptcy
The FTX fallout is creating a fear of a domino effect in the crypto world. Another major crypto exchange could soon implode after warning its investors of a potential filing for bankruptcy protection.
Genesis Global Trading is seeking one billion dollars in new capital. The company said it has no plans to file for bankruptcy as it speaks with investors.
The news is still taking its toll in the crypto universe, as the value of bitcoin hit a two year low.
Alcohol slows fetal brain formation
A new study directed at moms-to-be shows a small amount of drinking alcohol, even just one glass of wine per week, “significantly changes” the formation of the fetal brain.
A protective layer around nerve cells was slow to form in fetuses exposed to even small amounts of alcohol. This development could affect the rate at which a baby rolls over, crawls or processes language.
Even in a small dose, the alcohol was found to affect folds of the cerebral cortex impacting cognitive performance.
Researchers strongly urge mothers-to-be to strictly avoid alcohol consumption.
