Former President Donald Trump was charged with racketeering as part of his fourth indictment, and a judge sides with young activists in Montana. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Trump, 18 others charged with racketeering in Georgia 2020 case
For the fourth time, a felony indictment has been filed against former President Trump. This time, a Fulton County, Georgia grand jury indicted Trump and 18 others on charges of election fraud, racketeering and other offenses in an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state.
The other defendants charged include former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. Speaking to reporters following the release of the 98-page indictment, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said those charged have until noon on Friday, Aug. 25 to voluntarily surrender.
“The indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgia’s legal process for election challenges the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia presidential election result,” Willis said on Monday, Aug. 15.
Trump’s fourth indictment lists 161 acts as part of the alleged scheme. The investigation was prompted in part by the Jan. 2, 2021 phone call where Trump told Georgia’s secretary of state to find “11,780 votes.”
In a statement, lawyers for Trump said they look forward to reviewing the indictment, calling it “undoubtedly just as flawed and unconstitutional as this entire process has been.” Speaking to Fox News, Trump called Monday “a dark period in our country” and described the indictment as “the continuation of the greatest and longest-running witch hunt in American history.”
Trump is the first former president in United States history to face criminal charges. He faces charges in the special counsel’s Jan. 6 and classified documents investigations, and in the New York state case concerning hush money payments. Trump has denied any wrongdoing in all cases.
Philadelphia teen arrested on terrorism charges
A Philadelphia teenager has been arrested on serious terrorism charges. He is said to be in communication with a terrorist group affiliated with al-Qaeda.
The teenager’s name has not been released. Investigators say he was sending and receiving messages and pictures that aligned with terrorist propaganda on how to commit criminal acts, including how to make a bomb.
The individual was allegedly planning a trip overseas to meet with other group members. FBI special agent Jacqueline Maguire expressed deep concern over the teen’s recent purchases, which included firearms and materials commonly used to make explosives.
“Some of these purchases had just occurred in the last few weeks. Among the items he purchased were tactical equipment, wiring, chemicals and devices often used as remote detonators,” Maguire said Aug. 14. “These purchases quickly escalated this case in both threat and priority for our office. And this was now a situation where we believe public safety was at risk. So we quickly took appropriate steps to mitigate that risk.”
Wildfire death toll climbs, officials request property sale moratorium
Hawaii’s governor has predicted the death toll from the state’s historic wildfires to increase by 20 victims per day over the next 10 days. The public was expected to begin learning the identities of those who died on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
It’s already the worst wildfire the U.S. has seen in more than a century, as the death toll crept up to 99 as of the morning of Aug. 15. About 25% of the hard-hit area of Lahaina has been combed through for victims. Many people in the area had no chance to escape, with the fire advancing at 60 mph.
An estimated 3,000 animals are missing. Officials with the Maui Humane Society said they are hoping to be inundated with pets as search and rescue efforts continue.
State officials have requested a moratorium on any sales of the thousands of properties that have been damaged or destroyed in the wildfires. The officials are worried outside buyers will try to exploit the local community during this time of rebuilding.
It’s been one week since the fire first broke out on the island. It could take weeks or months to determine what started the blaze. According to a class-action lawsuit, downed power lines during a high-wind storm could have played a role in the initial spark.
30 dead, 100 injured in gas station explosion near Moscow
A massive explosion at a gas station in Russia has killed at least 30 people, including several young children. More than 100 others were injured in the overnight blast.
Despite crews working quickly to put the flames out, just the frames of the gas station were left standing. The explosion took place in a city just outside the region’s capital.
According to officials on the ground, a fire started at a nearby car repair shop. That fire then spread to the nearby gas station, causing the blast.
Judge rules government has duty to protect people from climate change
A judge in Montana ruled that it is unconstitutional for the state to allow the fossil fuel business to continue as usual. According to the ruling, the state must now consider how fossil fuel projects may impact “young people’s constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment.”
Young environmental activists had sued the state, claiming its agencies were violating young people’s rights to clean air by allowing fossil fuel development. In a ruling that is first of its kind in the U.S., the judge sided with the climate activists.
State officials have promised to appeal the ruling.
Netflix testing video game streaming in Canada, United Kingdom
Netflix has announced it is beginning to offer video game streaming to its subscribers. The streaming giant started adding video games in 2021 when it launched Netflix Games for mobile devices. Now, the company announced it is testing the games on select televisions and computers.
The limited beta test will be open to a small number of subscribers in Canada and the U.K. The beta test will only feature two games at first, with users’ phones serving as the controller.
Netflix said it is working to make games available on more devices in the future.
