If the Waffle House stays open, people often take that as a sign a storm is not likely to devastate their area. However, if the popular breakfast chain closes down, you need to leave – at least according to the Waffle House Index.
The Waffle House Index is a real, though not scientifically backed, measure of how bad a storm is. It’s not just locals who use it, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does too, as a way to identify communities most in need of immediate help after a storm.
Take Hurricane Helene, for example. That storm barreled through six states nearly two weeks ago, causing mass devastation.
In parts of North Carolina and Georgia — which bore the brunt of Helene’s impacts — about two dozen Waffle House restaurants are still closed, and several others are only serving a limited menu.
Waffle House has more than 1,900 locations in the U.S., mostly in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.
The chain, which normally stays open 24/7, 365 days a year, is known for being well-prepared for disasters and either staying open through them or reopening quickly after. It has a limited menu ready to go for when there are food shortages and power outages. It can even put together “Waffle House jump teams” to quickly reopen restaurants as soon as it’s safe to after a disaster.
Waffle House has been so good at predicting how bad a storm will be that in 2011, then-FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate was the one who created the term Waffle House Index.
The Waffle House Index has three levels: green, yellow, and red. Because Waffle House already has a plan in place for power outages and limited supplies, the index rarely reaches red.
So, what is the Waffle House Index telling us about Hurricane Milton? Things aren’t looking great for parts of Florida directly in its path, with dozens of locations closing to weather out the storm.
Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida and is expected to arrive as soon as late Wednesday night. And details on the Afghan national now in federal custody for planning a massive attack for Election Day and how authorities caught him. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.
Florida prepares for Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton, which has re-strengthened to a Category 5 storm, continues its trek toward Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene battered parts of the state. It’s expected to make landfall late Wednesday night, Oct. 9, or early Thursday morning, Oct. 10.
Storm surge warnings are in effect for almost all of Florida’s west coast with the dangerous eyewall expected to come ashore somewhere near Tampa. As of early Wednesday morning, the storm was moving at 12 miles an hour with winds of up to 160 miles an hour.
Milton is expected to weaken before making landfall, but also double in size — meaning it will impact a bigger area while making its way from coast to coast in the Sunshine State.
Evacuation orders are already in effect for the areas expected to get the worst of it. Meanwhile, across the state those who aren’t evacuating are hunkering down, preparing to deal with impacts of the storm, including widespread power outages and drinking water shortages.
In Manatee County, a police chief told anybody who stays, “There will be no fire, there will be no EMA, there will be no police,” to rescue people.
Tropical storm force winds are expected to be felt across the entire state. The storm is predicted to potentially be one of the most destructive on record, unleashing record life-threatening storm surge as well, possibly 10-15 feet in Tampa, according to forecasters.
Heavy rain will also add to flooding concerns, with more than 15 inches forecast in parts of the state.
Disney World joins other theme parks closing ahead of Milton
Orlando is one of the areas expected to be inundated with the most rain by Hurricane Milton, prompting a rare move by Disney World. Disney is closing its parks and hotels early Wednesday afternoon and says they will likely stay closed through Thursday.
This will mark the 12th time in Disney World’s 53-year history the park will see a closure. Goldman Sachs estimates Disney will miss out on $150 million due to the closures.
Legoland and SeaWorld are both closed Wednesday and Thursday, as well. Busch Gardens in Tampa has also joined the list of closures.
DOJ: Election Day terrorist plot foiled, Afghan national arrested
The Justice Department has announced the arrest of an Afghan national accused of conspiring to conduct a terrorist attack on Election Day in the United States on behalf of the Islamic state.
According to the criminal complaint, Nasir Tawhedi, 27, was living in Oklahoma while trying to obtain semiautomatic weapons and ammunition to carry out a violent attack in the. Authorities say Tawhedi entered the U.S. on a special immigrant visa in 2021.
The FBI uncovered the alleged plot, which saw Tawhedi taking steps to liquidate his family’s assets and resettle some of his family members back in Afghanistan. The DOJ also mentioned a co-conspirator in the plot, who is an Afghanistan citizen with legal permanent resident status — but also a juvenile.
During a post-arrest interview, the Justice Department says Tawhedi confirmed the planned attack would target large gatherings of people on Election Day.
He faces a slew of charges and decades behind prison if convicted.
Israel: 2 of Hezbollah leaders’ successors killed in strikes
Hezbollah militants targeted Israeli troops near the Lebanese border early Wednesday. The Iran-backed terror group said it has pushed the troops back as Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon escalates.
Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said airstrikes in Lebanon had killed two successors to Hezbollah’s slain leader. The announcement came as Israeli forces expanded their ground incursion into southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s top official said the group supports efforts aimed at achieving a cease-fire in Lebanon, marking the first time Hezbollah has publicly endorsed a truce.
This comes as the Israeli defense minister canceled a trip to Washington, D.C. set for Wednesday. He was slated to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon.
Talks break down between Boeing, union as strike nears 1 month
It appears the Boeing factory worker strike will go on for the foreseeable future. Talks broke down Tuesday between Boeing and the union that represents the 33,000 striking workers.
No new talks have been scheduled, after two days of federally mediated negotiations turned up no resolutions.
In a statement the IAM said Boeing has not yet made an acceptable offer. Meanwhile, Boeing said the union is making demands far in excess of what can be accepted for the company to remain competitive, adding “further negotiations do not make sense at this point.”
Credit analysts estimate the strike is costing Boeing $1 billion a month. The aircraft maker has been dealing with a slew of bad publicity from 737 Max crashes to mechanical failures on passenger planes.
Alaska’s Fat Bear Week crowns its 2024 winner
The presidential election may still be weeks away, but we have the results of another heated race Straight Arrow News has been keeping a close eye on. Alaska has found its fattest bear.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Fat Bear Week contest there, and with voting ended Tuesday night. The large adult female bear known as 128 Grazer became the first bear to win the online tournament while caring for a cub.
The victory was personal for Grazer, who once again defeated her male rival, 32 Chunk, in the finals. Earlier this year, Chunk attacked one of Grazer’s cubs, killing it.
In the end, Grazer received about 40,000 more votes than Chunk to win.
Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s already hard-hit west coast
Hurricane Milton, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm, spins closer to southwest Florida. And it’ll cost you a little more for a chance at the big Mega Millions jackpot. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s already hard-hit west coast
Still reeling from Hurricane Helene, Florida’s west coast is hunkering down once again as Hurricane Milton barrels that way. As of early Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, it was a Category 4 storm.
The storm intensified to a major Category 5 hurricane Monday before being downgraded. Still, it threatens to bring torrential rain to already-soaked and flooded parts of the Sunshine State.
The National Hurricane Center said people on Florida’s west coast should expect “devastating hurricane force winds” and life-threatening storm surges. Some predictions call for 15 feet of storm surge.
Evacuations have already been ordered in some parts of the state, including the Tampa Bay area. Residents in some areas have been told first responders are not expected to risk their lives to try to save those who do evacuate in time.
Less than 24 hours after the world marked one year of war in the Middle East, Israel exchanged deadly strikes with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah has been striking Israel since its war with Hamas began as a show of solidarity for the other Iran-backed militant group, but the deadly violence has escalated significantly in recent weeks, with the killings of top Hezbollah leaders.
Trump, Harris commemorate anniversary of Oct. 7 terror attacks
As the 2024 presidential campaign heads into the final four weeks, both candidates marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
On Monday morning, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump visited the New York gravesite of a renowned rabbi in the Orthodox Judaism community, leaving a stone atop the headstone, a traditional Jewish custom.
Trump later held a remembrance ceremony at his golf club in Miami, which included Jewish community leaders, Holocaust survivors and Republican lawmakers.
“October 7 was not just the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, it was not just the worst terror attack since 9/11, it was an attack on humanity itself,” Trump said. “It was a hideous, incredible cruelty. It was chilling savagery. It was a demonic delight and the destruction of innocent life. On October 7, it seemed as if the gates of hell had sprung open and unleashed their horrors onto the world. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff helped plant a pomegranate tree outside the VP’s residence in Washington, D.C., dedicating it to the 1,200 people killed a year ago in Israel — including 46 Americans.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1843457053966193110
“So, in this moment, on the one-year commemoration of October 7, what is asked of us?” Harris said. “What is asked of us? First and foremost, I believe that we must never forget. I will never forget October 7 and the world must never forget. What is asked of us? We must work to ensure nothing like the horrors of October 7 can never happen again. And on this solemn day, I will restate my pledge to always ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and that I will always work to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish people here and around the world.”
Later Tuesday, Vice President Harris will continue her media blitz with stops at “The View,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Howard Stern Show.” On Wednesday, former President Trump is scheduled to hold two rallies in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
Mexican mayor killed less than a week after taking office
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is expected to present her strategy to confront the country’s security problems Tuesday. The country’s first woman president — inaugurated less than a week ago — is reportedly going to present a plan that will highlight law and order amid the growing violence linked to drug cartels and organized crime.
Arcos is the latest politician to be murdered in the country, with 37 candidates assassinated leading up to Mexico’s most recent elections this past June.
Google ordered to open app store after anti-trust ruling
The ruling comes in the wake of a jury verdict last year in favor of Fortnite game maker Epic Games, which found Google was illegally blocking competition.
Mega Millions raising ticket prices, improving odds to win
If you play the lottery, get ready to shell out more money for a chance at that mega jackpot. Mega Millions announced some big changes to its lottery game — including an increase in ticket prices.
Starting in April, tickets will cost $5 per play, more than double the current price of $2. It’ll be the game’s second price increase since 2002.
Mega Millions said this is all part of its “mega” overhaul, which will see improved odds of winning the jackpot and bigger jackpots more often.
Since launching more than 20 years ago, Mega Millions — which is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands — has seen six $1 billion winners.
One year since Hamas attacks on Israel sparked war
One year later, people around the world are marking the anniversary of Hamas’ terror attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing war in the Middle East. And Florida is once again on high alert as another hurricane barrels toward the Sunshine State. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
One year since Hamas attacks on Israel started war
It’s now been one year since Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people, taking 250 others hostage and setting off a war in the Middle East that shows no signs of stopping.
In what appears to be a major new offensive, the Israeli military said it struck Hamas targets across Gaza Sunday night, Oct. 6, after issuing evacuation warnings for much of the north. Meanwhile, Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Tel Aviv, as leaders of the militant group celebrated one year of war, saying they sent Israel back to “square one, and it is now living an existential war.” They also called for Palestinians to escalate their resistance.
Israel also carried out heavy strikes on Beirut and sent more troops into Lebanon as part of its ground invasion targeting Hezbollah. The terror organization has been attacking Israel in a show of solidarity since Hamas started the war last year.
Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran, which denies having anything to do with last October’s attacks. However, Iran marked the first anniversary by praising the attacks.
Many more people marked the day in a more somber way. Family members of the more than 350 people killed at Israel’s Nova music festival gathered at the site to hold a memorial.
Protests were also held across the globe as millions call for an end to the war. Many protesters are focusing on the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza, who have seen the brunt of the impacts of this war.
Since last year, Palestinian health officials say more than 41,800 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 16,000 children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated numerous times that Israel will not stop until Hamas has been wiped out.
Harris interview to air on ’60 Minutes;’ Trump to appear on Fox News
The 2024 presidential candidates are making their presence known this week with just 29 days to go until Election Day.
Vice President Kamala Harris is on a media tour that began on Sunday, Oct. 6, with the Democratic nominee appearing as a guest on Alex Cooper’s podcast “Call Her Daddy.” Tuesday, Oct. 8, she will make stops at “The View,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and “The Howard Stern Show.”
Monday night, Oct. 7, “60 Minutes” will air its election special that includes a pre-recorded interview with the vice president. CBS News released a preview of the interview, showing the moment when reporter Bill Whitaker asked Harris about the United States’ relationship with Israel.
“When we think about the threat Hamas, Hezbollah presents, Iran, I think it is without question our imperative to do what we can to allow Israel to defend itself against those kinds of attacks,” she said. “Now the work that we do diplomatically with the leadership of Israel is an ongoing pursuit around making clear our principles which include the need for humanitarian aid, the need for this war to end, the need for a deal to be done which would release the hostages and create a cease-fire and we’re not going to stop in terms of putting that pressure on Israel and in the region including Arab leaders.”
“The hospital was great, and I didn’t realize this, I never knew they did — when a president goes to an area, they close the hospital entirely,” he said. “It’s ready for exactly this. I didn’t know they did that, but they did. So, the hospital, I got there, the doctors were outside, the nurse and no people. They literally close it and almost like they expect this. It’s a genius thing, but who would ever think that. And I was so impressed.”
Over the weekend, Trump returned to Butler for the first time since the shooting, holding a rally with his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Monday, Trump is scheduled to hold an Oct. 7 remembrance ceremony at his golf club in Miami. Meanwhile Vice President Harris is set to deliver remarks and plant a tree at the vice presidential residence in Washington, D.C. to mark the anniversary.
Florida braces for Hurricane Milton on the heels of Helene
Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene blasted parts of Florida, another severe big storm is on the way. Tropical Storm Milton intensified in the Gulf of Mexico Monday morning to a Category 2 hurricane, with forecasters predicting it could make landfall on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Residents have begun preparing for Milton, which reports say could reach Category 4 strength before making landfall in the Tampa Bay area as a Category 3.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has warned of high storm surge and more power outages, and that locations already struck by Helene will possibly be affected by Milton. Helene killed more than 200 people across six states.
Gov. DeSantis warned people who live on the west coast of Florida to be prepared to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton. In fact, some evacuation orders are already in effect for people who live in manufactured homes or on their boats along the Sun Coast.
Supreme Court to hear cases on guns, porn, transgender rights
A new U.S. Supreme Court term begins Monday, with the justices returning to the bench from their summer break to decide on dozens of cases, including those involving guns, the adult entertainment industry and transgender issues.
On Tuesday, the court will hear arguments on a case concerning the regulation of ghost guns. Manufacturers and gun rights groups argue the Biden administration overstepped its authority to require background checks on these types of firearm kits.
Frontier Airlines plane catches fire while landing in Las Vegas
Scary moments were caught on video as a Frontier Airlines plane caught fire while landing at a Las Vegas airport over the weekend. The airline released a statement saying the pilots detected smoke while the plane was in the process of landing Saturday, Oct. 5.
Frontier said all 190 passengers and seven crew members on board were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
LeBron James joins son Bronny on NBA court for the first time
Though it was a preseason game, it was still another accomplishment for the elder James, who at age 39 is entering his 22nd NBA season. LeBron James will likely make more NBA history when he joins his son on the court during the regular season.
Adding to the special moment, Sunday was also Bronny’s 20th birthday.
The strike is over for now, as thousands of dockworkers return to their jobs after a tentative agreement to raise their pay. And why after more than three decades in prison , the Menendez brothers — infamous for killing their parents — might have their case reviewed and the factor it all hinges on. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
Tens of thousands of U.S. dockworkers are getting back on the job after two days of a strike that clogged dozens of East and Gulf coast ports. The historic labor action, which threatened to drive inflation back up, is now on hold until at least January 15.
Thursday night, Oct. 3, members of the International Longshoremen’s Association struck a tentative deal with the U.S. Maritime Alliance over pay. The agreement will increase workers’ wages by 62% over the span of six years.
The agreement is an increase over the Maritime Alliance’s offer of 50% earlier this week, but a compromise for the ILA, which has called for a 77% increase in wages over the same time period.
The new deal would bring hourly pay for top dockworkers to $63 per hour by the end of the deal, compared to $39 an hour under the most recently expired contract.
Dockworkers had also been calling for a total ban on automation, but no deal was reached on that. Sources close to the matter have said that will be the main topic of negotiations between now and Jan. 15.
I applaud the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance for coming together to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.
More Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut
Powerful blasts rocked Beirut Thursday night into Friday morning, Oct. 4, as Israel unleashed some of its heaviest strikes on the Lebanese capital city yet. This comes as Iran’s foreign minister is in Beirut meeting with Lebanese officials over the expanding conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Thursday, Israel ordered more evacuations for villages in southern Lebanon, potentially signaling plans to broaden the ground invasion there. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run news agency said an Israeli strike took out the main highway between Lebanon and Syria, which tens of thousands of people have used over the past two weeks to flee the escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
🔴Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Communications Unit, during a precise, intelligence-based strike in Beirut yesterday.
Sakafi was a senior Hezbollah terrorist, who was responsible for the communications unit since 2000. Sakafi invested significant efforts… pic.twitter.com/PH65nh5FLI
The Israeli military also said it killed another top Hezbollah militant, Mohammed Anisi, in a recent strike on Beirut. Hezbollah has not yet confirmed that claim.
Three ex-officers found guilty in Tyre Nichols beating death
A federal jury convicted three former Memphis police officers in the 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols Thursday, but they were acquitted of the most serious charges. The jury found Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith guilty of witness tampering for covering up the attack. Haley was also convicted of violating Nichols’ civil rights.
Nichols died three days after the officers brutally beat him following a traffic stop. The officers now face up to 20 years in prison for the witness tampering convictions while Haley’s civil rights violation conviction carries up to 10 years. Sentencing is pending with a hearing scheduled to determine whether they will remain in custody.
The case has triggered federal investigations into Memphis police practices, and Nichols’ family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city and its police department.
In a statement, the assistant U.S. attorney who oversees the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “Tyre Nichols should be alive today.”
35 years later, Menendez brothers’ case under review following claims of parental abuse
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced his office will review the convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez, nearly 35 years after they were imprisoned for killing their parents in 1989. New evidence, including a letter from Erik Menendez alleging sexual abuse by their father, prompted the reexamination.
Gascón stressed that while the brothers’ guilt is not being contested, the new evidence and changing views on sexual abuse require a review. The attorney for the Menendez brothers argues they’ve been rehabilitated and is seeking a re-sentencing.
A hearing on Nov. 29 will determine the next steps, which could include a new trial or an adjusted sentence.
Country star Garth Brooks accused of rape
A former employee has come forward accusing country music superstar Garth Brooks of sexual assault and battery. In a the lawsuit, the woman said she worked as his hair and makeup artist.
The lawsuit alleges in 2019, Brooks raped the woman during a work trip in Los Angeles.
Before this lawsuit was made public, CNN reported an anonymous celebrity plaintiff — now identified as Brooks — had tried to block the woman from suing and denied the claims.
In a statement released to the media, Brooks said, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars.”
If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! love, g pic.twitter.com/q6FFLrJO0a
He went on to say, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of—ugly acts no human should ever do to another. We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.”
Category 4 Hurricane Kirk strengthens, expected to stay offshore
Hurricane Kirk, a powerful Category 4 storm, is churning in the Atlantic, with forecasters warning of dangerous swells that could impact the U.S. east coast, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas by this weekend. Though the hurricane is expected to remain far from land, its waves might cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
NEW: #Kirk is now a major #hurricane with 125mph sustained winds and will strengthen to *near Category 5 strength* over the next couple of days. Certainly thankful it will remain out to sea and no threat to land! #HurricaneKirk#weatherpic.twitter.com/frSGbEgtFe
As Kirk strengthens, Tropical Storm Leslie has also formed in the Atlantic but poses no immediate threat to land.
Meanwhile, the southeast is still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which left more than 200 people dead and caused catastrophic damage. Rescue efforts continue as many residents remain without water, power and communication services.
President Joe Biden has visited the region to survey the devastation, pledging federal aid for debris removal and recovery efforts in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Hurricane Helene forecast to make landfall in Florida as Category 4 storm
All eyes are on Hurricane Helene as the storm is strengthening on its way to Florida — now projected to become a Category 4 storm. And we have a preview of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “victory plan” ahead of his visit to the White House. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
Hurricane Helene to rapidly intensify before making landfall in Florida
Hurricane Helene is barreling toward Florida. The Category 1 storm is expected to rapidly intensify before making landfall in state’s Big Bend area Thursday evening, Sept. 26.
The National Hurricane Center said Helene is expected to be a “major hurricane” when it hits Florida, possibly even a Category 4 storm. Colleges and airports have been closed in parts of the state.
Hurricane Helene Causes Massive Flooding and Damage in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Severe flooding and material damage have been reported in Quintana Roo, with the Cancun hotel area heavily impacted. Thankfully, no loss of life has been reported. Recovery efforts are currently… pic.twitter.com/7Rq0YRTrPo
Evacuation orders have been in place in multiple counties since Wednesday, Sept. 25, and the National Weather Service is warning “a catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely.” Storm surges are expected to get up to 20 feet or more in some places — that’s like a two-story building.
While the storm is expected to weaken after making landfall, meteorologists say its damaging winds will likely be felt well inland.
New York City mayor to face at least one federal charge
However, we do not yet know the exact charges Adams will be facing.
Once the indictment is unsealed, Adams will become the first mayor of New York City to face a federal charge while in office. Previously, Adams has denied any wrongdoing saying it’s political payback for his complaining about the migrant crisis in New York City.
On Wednesday night, he vowed to stay in office and fight the charges.
“Enough, I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit,” Adams said. “If I’m charged — I know I’m innocent — I will request an immediate trial so the New Yorkers can hear the truth. New Yorkers know my story. They know where I come from. I have been fighting injustice my entire life. That fight has continued as your mayor.”
Once charged, it’s not clear when he would surrender to authorities.
Congress passes stopgap bill to avoid government shutdown
It also sets aside an extra $231 million to bolster the Secret Service in the wake of two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed, in many senses, his hands were tied when it came to the bill.
“While continuing resolution’s never ideal — none of us like them, it’s not a way to run a railroad — it allows Congress to continue serving the American people through the election,” Johnson said. “This is not the House’s fault. It’s the Senate’s fault. They passed not a single appropriations bill, so there was nothing for the two chambers to negotiate in the end, and there was no agreement on the top line spending number. So, we had, we had no choice.”
Tonight, we have voted to avoid an unnecessary government shutdown at the end of the month.
Over in the Senate, the bill passed by a 78-18 margin. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Americans can breathe easy, because both sides have chosen bipartisanship. Congress is getting the job done.”
The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
Zelenskyy to meet with Biden at White House to discuss ‘victory plan’
A day after delivering a speech before the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with President Biden in Washington D.C. at the White House. They’re set to discuss what Zelenskyy is calling his “victory plan” for Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia.
While the specifics of the plan are still unknown, the Associated Press has reported it includes the guarantee of NATO membership for Ukraine and permission to use long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory. The plan also will seek to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and increase sanctions against Russia.
On Wednesday, President Biden met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the U.N., where the White House said Biden informed Zelenskkyy he will be directing “a surge of security assistance to Ukraine.”
I met with President Biden @POTUS on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and expressed my gratitude for the unwavering U.S. support, which is saving lives and helping Ukraine defend its independence.
I told President Biden about the situation on the frontlines and raised…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 25, 2024
In a statement, the White House said the cease-fire would “provide space for diplomacy.” It added the situation between Hezbollah and Israel is “intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation.”
The deal is supported by U.S. allies including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Qatar.
Lebanon’s prime minister told Reuters he has hopes a cease-fire can be reached soon.
⭕️Approx. 75 Hezbollah terrorist targets in the area of Beqaa and in southern Lebanon were precisely struck by the IDF overnight.
These targets included weapons storage facilities, ready-to-fire launchers, terrorists, and terrorist infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the fighting continues, as the Israeli army says it struck 75 Hezbollah targets including storage facilities for weapons Wednesday night into Thursday morning. This followed strikes on Wednesday that killed at least 72 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
OpenAI, one of the biggest companies in the world of artificial intelligence, is undergoing some “real” change. This comes after its Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, who helped develop the company’s chatbot ChatGPT, resigned on Wednesday, followed by word that its chief research officer and a research vice president were also leaving.
The departures come amid reports that the company is planning to switch from being a non-profit organization to a for-profit one, making it more appealing to investors. There would still be a non-profit segment that would pursue charitable goals and own a stake in the company. This transition, however, would take years to complete.
CEO Sam Altman would also own a chunk of the company.
These changes come as OpenAI is reportedly pursuing a funding round that would value the company at more than $150 billion.
Pipeline explosion in Houston suburb triggers evacuations
A pipeline explosion erupted in La Porte, Texas, the morning of Monday, Sept. 16, around 25 miles southwest of Houston. It triggered immediate evacuations from nearby neighborhoods and a towering plume of fire visible for miles.
The blast sparked secondary grass fires, burned power poles, and escalated the danger to surrounding homes and infrastructure.
Officials ordered evacuations of surrounding neighborhoods, affecting approximately 350 homes. Several schools close to the explosion also sent students home for the day. Traffic is also closed off in the area to facilitate emergency response efforts.
A conference was held the same day by officials, giving an update on the pipeline explosion. Reunification centers and housing shelters are being set up along with media staging areas.
The pipeline is believed to be owned by Energy Transfer and contains natural gas. Officials say they’ve shut down the pipeline and they’re allowing the material to burn off, which could take a few hours or last into Tuesday, Sept. 17. A statement by Energy Transfer has also since been released, which states its commitment to work with local authorities as the situation unfolds.
Concerns about long-term environmental and safety implications are growing as the situation unfolds.
Officials say one firefighter suffered minor injuries and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’ at his golf club: FBI
For the second time in just over two months, authorities say former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent “attempted assassination.” We have the latest on the investigation. And the red carpet was rolled out for TV’s biggest stars Sunday night. We recap who won at the 76th Emmy Awards. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
FBI: Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’
The FBI is investigating what it said “appears to be an attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida Sunday, Sept. 15. Authorities said Trump was playing a round of golf when Secret Service agents spotted the gunman a few hundred yards away pointing a weapon through the bushes.
The agents fired five to six shots at the gunman. The suspect dropped his weapon, described as an AK-47-style rifle, and fled in his vehicle. It was not clear if the suspect had fired any shots.
The suspect was soon taken into custody during a traffic stop in a nearby county.
Authorities said the rifle with a scope was found in the shrubbery along with two backpacks, ceramic plates, and a GoPro camera.
Shortly after the incident, a spokesperson for the Republican presidential nominee said Trump was safe. Trump later sent out a letter to supporters saying, “Nothing will slow me down! I will never surrender.”
Law enforcement sources have told multiple news outlets the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh of Hawaii. Authorities are said to be looking into Routh’s possible motives, including his reported grievances about the war in Ukraine. The New York Times reported the paper interviewed Routh last year about recruiting Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine.
During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw spoke about the Secret Service’s presence protecting Trump at the time of the assassination attempt.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have this entire golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw said. “Well, because he’s not, the security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible. So, I would imagine the next time he comes to the golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
Biden said he has directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource” necessary for Trump’s “continued safety.” Harris said, “We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.”
Late Sunday night, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking law enforcement for “an incredible job done” and saying, “It was certainly an interesting day.”
I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible… pic.twitter.com/mV15rJygOR
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 16, 2024
Israel says Houthis will pay ‘heavy price’ after attack on Tel Aviv
Israel’s Prime Minister has vowed retaliation after a missile fired by Houthi rebels reached central Israel for the first time. A Houthi spokesman said the hypersonic ballistic missile, fired from Yemen, traveled more than 1,200 miles in just over 10 minutes Sunday.
Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from Yemen and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces said there were repeated attempts to shoot down the missile mid-air, but it most likely fragmented as it approached Tel Aviv. Israel said there were no direct casualties from the missile, but at least nine people suffered minor injuries.
This is just the latest attack by the Houthis, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, in support of Hamas.
At least 8 dead as torrential rain triggers flooding in central Europe
At least eight people are confirmed dead as torrential rain continues to pound central Europe, causing widespread flooding. Thousands of people evacuated their homes in the Czech Republic Sunday as rivers overflowed their banks in various parts of the country.
A storm system named Boris has caused heavy downpours from Austria to Romania, leading to the worst flooding the Czech Republic and Poland have seen in nearly 30 years.
The relentless rain is expected to last at least through Monday.
US Coast Guard hearing into deadly Titan submersible implosion begins
Former employees of OceanGate are expected to testify. The company was behind the experimental submersible that imploded while on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023, killing all five people on board.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Coast Guard released a statement saying the hearing “aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The hearing will take place in Charleston County, South Carolina and is expected to last about two weeks. Witnesses scheduled to appear include one of OceanGate’s co-founders and the company’s former engineering, operations, and scientific directors.
Apple’s AI-powered operating system to launch Monday
Apple’s latest operating system, featuring the company’s artificial intelligence capabilities, is set to go live Monday. iOS 18 will come with changes for all compatible iPhone models, but Apple Intelligence will be the highlight of the update for iPhone 15 Pro and later models.
Some tech experts say this is Apple’s biggest update since it originally launched the iPhone.
Apple usually releases its updates at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
‘Shogun,’ ‘Hacks,’ ‘The Bear’ win at the 76th Emmy Awards
History was made at the 76th Emmy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. The big winner was the historical drama Shogun.
“Shogun” became the first non-English language series to win best drama. It claimed a total of 18 wins, including lead actor, actress, and directing.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
With just one day to go, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are preparing for the first debate between the presidential candidates. And Apple is reportedly set to unveil its latest iPhone models powered by artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
We’re now one day away from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump facing off on the debate stage. Tuesday night, Sept. 10, both presidential candidates will be in Philadelphia to answer questions over policies, address Americans’ concerns in the country and make their case for why voters should choose them in November.
Over the weekend, Harris was seen by reporters on a stroll with her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. She ignored the reporters’ first few questions but when asked if she’s ready for the debate, she said, “I’m ready.”
Also over the weekend, the Harris-Walz campaign unveiled a website detailing policies for the first time. It outlines proposals on key issues such as the economy, crime and immigration.
Harris will be in Pittsburgh Monday, Sept. 9, preparing for the debate with a team of advisors.
Meanwhile, sources told ABC News that Trump is “holding informal policy sessions with a small team of advisers, including GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.”
Trump was on the campaign trail in Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 7, where he also spoke of the upcoming debate.
“Oh, they’re waiting for the debate. You know, if I destroy her in the debate, they’ll say, ‘Trump suffered a humiliating defeat tonight,’ no matter what,” Trump said.
Two of the latest battleground polls, one from the New York Times and the other CBS News, show razor thin margins between the two candidates in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
While the Biden administration cited the Doha Agreement, a Trump-era agreement with the Taliban to leave Afghanistan by May 2021, as a main reason for the withdrawal, the report says the decision “was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies. Rather, it was premised on the president’s longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan.”
The report accuses the administration of missing warning signs pointing to how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban upon a U.S. withdrawal and says the planning of and calling for an evacuation was delayed.
Defense secretary says temporary budget would severely impact military
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is warning Congress that passing a temporary bill to keep the government open would have devastating impacts on the Defense Department. The bill would keep the federal government funded for another six months, but cap spending at 2024 levels.
In a letter to members of Congress on Sunday, Sept. 8, Austin said that the stop-gap would cut defense spending by more than $6 billion, compared to the 2025 spending proposal. Austin said that would impact thousands of defense programs and damage recruiting just as the military is starting to recover from the pandemic.
Congress needs to approve a stop-gap spending bill before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
Manhunt continues for suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting
The suspect in a shooting on a Kentucky freeway that left seven people injured over the weekend remains on the loose. Police said Joseph A. Couch is the man responsible for opening fire Saturday, Sept. 7, on Interstate 75, striking at least 12 vehicles.
Police said in a Sunday night, Sept. 8, news briefing, Couch purchased his weapon legally the morning of the shooting. He also bought a thousand rounds of ammunition.
An AR-15 rifle was found not far from the shooting scene and Couch’s vehicle was located abandoned nearby.
California’s Line Fire consumes 20,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations
Firefighters in California are battling against more than a dozen wildfires fueled by a heatwave and high winds. The most intense blaze is the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which has surged to over 20,000 acres and prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and as of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, the fire was zero percent contained. The blaze has injured three people, though details on their conditions are not yet available.
Thunderstorm winds are complicating firefighting efforts, causing unpredictable fire behavior, while critically dry vegetation and smoke continue to pose other challenges.
Officials said more thunderstorms on Monday could add fuel to the Line Fire.
Apple expected to reveal iPhone 16 lineup at ‘Glowtime’ event
It’s “‘Glowtime!” That’s the title Apple has given its event Monday where the tech giant is expected to unveil its latest lineup of iPhones.
Apple is set to reveal the iPhone 16 models. They will reportedly be the first ones powered by the company’s artificial intelligence program, Apple Intelligence, which was announced earlier this year.
The phones will also likely have larger screen displays and upgraded cameras.
US sending submarine to Middle East amid new developments
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the Middle East. And Tom Cruise gives the Paris Olympics a Hollywood ending as we look toward the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
U.S. sending submarine to Middle East amid new developments
The U.S. ordered the deployment of the USS Georgia, a “nuclear-powered submarine with cruise missiles,” to the Middle East. The movement of U.S. missile submarines is rarely revealed publicly — typically operating in near-complete secrecy — but the move comes as Israel is anticipating a potentially “large scale attack” by Iran in the next few days.
According to Axios, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday, Aug. 11, that Iran was making preparations for the attack on Israel. On Monday, Aug. 12 morning, Reuters reported Gallant’s ministry has confirmed a call between the two took place overnight.
The Israeli military has ordered more evacuations from part of a humanitarian safe zone it had set up in southwestern Gaza, saying they now plan to expand fighting. The IDF said there have been indications Hamas terrorists have a significant presence there now living among civilians.
These orders come a day after Israel struck a school-turned-shelter that the Hamas-run health ministry said killed at least 80 people. Israel claims Hamas fighters were hiding at the school compound.
Meanwhile, Hamas’ new leader said Sunday, Aug. 11, there would be no new negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza this week unless mediators from the U.S., Qatar and Egypt revert to a plan that would see a truce in the war.
In a “CBS Sunday Morning,” President Joe Biden said he believes a cease-fire deal is still possible before he leaves office.
Biden gives first interview since dropping out of 2024 race
The CBS interview on Sunday was President Biden’s first interview since pulling out of the 2024 race. Biden explained a major reason why he made that decision was so the Democratic Party could focus on what he says is the real issue: defeating former President Donald Trump.
“Polls we had showed that it was neck and neck race, would’ve been down to the wire,” Biden said. “But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races, and I was concerned if I stayed in the race that would be the topic. You’d be interviewing me about ‘Why did Nancy Pelosi say, why did so-and-so say?’ and I thought it would be a distraction.”
He added, “Although it’s a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do the most important thing you can do, and that is we must, we must defeat Trump.”
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, had multiple one-on-one interviews air on Sunday, Aug. 11. In the interviews, he spoke with CNN’s Dana Bash, CBS’ Margaret Brennan and ABC’s Jonathan Karl about former President Trump’s plans should he be elected again in 2024.
On CBS, Vance defended recent comments by the former president indicating he may be willing to roll back access to the abortion pill. He said Trump “wants abortion related decisions to be left to the states.”
On CNN, Vance commented on Vice President Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, saying he’s the one being “weird” after that term has been used by the Democratic Party to describe the Republican ticket.
“I think that you take a sequential approach to it,” Vance said. “You are going to have to deport some people. If you’re not willing to deport a lot of people, you’re not willing to have a border when there are 20 million illegal aliens in our country.”
“You start with what’s achievable, you do that, and then you go on to what’s achievable from there,” Vance added. “I think if you deport a lot of violent criminals, and frankly, if you make it harder to hire illegal labor — which undercuts the wages of American workers — I think you go a lot of the way to solving the illegal immigration problem. But look, President Trump is absolutely right; you cannot have a border unless you’re willing to deport some people. I think it’s interesting that people focus on, ‘Well, how do you deport 18 million people?’ Let’s start with one million, that’s where Kamala Harris has failed, and then we can go from there.”
Vance will be on the campaign trail on Wednesday, Aug. 14, making a stop in Michigan, a key swing state, while Trump is set address the economy in North Carolina.
Trump will be sitting down for an interview with Elon Musk on Monday night, Aug. 12.
Trump campaign says it was hacked by Iran
There are new concerns over foreign interference in the U.S. election after the Trump campaign said over the weekend it was hacked by Iran.
Both Politico and The Washington Post reported receiving internal Trump documents including research on Trump’s running mate, Sen. Vance, “from an anonymous email account.”
News of a campaign hack comes just as Microsoft said on Friday, Aug. 9, it discovered “evidence that Iranian hackers targeted an email account of a campaign official” back in June. While Microsoft didn’t specify what campaign was impacted in their announcement, a person familiar to the talks told The Washington Post it was Trump’s campaign.
The extent of any sort of hack is not currently known, but the Post said they received hundreds of pages labeled as “confidential.”
USA Gymnastics: Video shows Jordan Chiles should not be stripped of medal
There’s some controversy as the Summer Olympics in Paris reach their end. USA Gymnastics is challenging the ruling of Olympic officials that called for Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal.
Chiles won the medal after the individual floor exercise final last week, after her coach submitted a review of the judges’ scores.
However, the decision this weekend by the court of arbitration for sport said Chiles’ coach had asked for the review four seconds after a one-minute deadline to submit such a request had expired per competition rules, meaning Romania won the bronze.
On Sunday, Aug. 11, USA gymnastics fired back at that ruling, saying it has submitted time-stamped video evidence showing the request was made within the one minute window. Olympic officials have yet to respond to the latest twist in this gymnastics saga.
Tom Cruise closes Paris Olympics with Hollywood ending
Team USA led the way at the 2024 Olympics with the most total medals: 126. It also tied with China for most gold medals, with 40 each.
As Paris marked the conclusion of its Olympics, it was up to the next host city, Los Angeles, to close out the show in style and L.A. brought a Hollywood ending.
Actor Tom Cruise channeled his “Top Gun” and “Mission: Impossible” roles by jumping off the stadium’s roof in Paris.
He was then handed the Olympic flag by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Olympic great Simone Biles to take back to L.A.
The closing ceremony also saw the musician H.E.R. singing the national anthem, as well as performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Billie Eilish.
Coincidentally, Team USA taking home 126 medals is the most since the U.S. won 174 in 1984 — the last time the Olympics were played in Los Angeles.
