Conditions so bad at Fulton County Jail, they violate civil rights: DOJ
Conditions in Georgia’s Fulton County Jail are so bad that they’re violating inmates’ civil rights, according to the U.S. Justice Department. A DOJ investigation found the jail’s housing units were flooded by broken toilets, infested with roaches and rodents, and had dangerous exposed wiring.
They also said inmates were malnourished from a lack of food, didn’t have access to medical and mental health care and staff often used force, like Tasers, without justification.
On top of that, the DOJ said the jail doesn’t protect inmates from other inmates like it should.
“In 2023 alone, we identified 314 stabbings and more than 8,000 assaults,” said U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke. “This rate of violence exceeds what we’ve seen in other cities across the country. The Fulton County Jail had as many stabbings in a single month as the Miami-Dade County Jail had all year. And that’s a facility with one and a half times more people. Since 2022, six people in the jail have lost their lives to violence.”
DOJ officials said conditions in the jail violate the 8th and 14th Amendments, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The report says the U.S. Attorney General’s Office could file a lawsuit to correct the issues if state officials don’t address the concerns within 49 days.
What happens to Trump’s criminal and civil cases now?
Donald Trump winning a second term presents an unprecedented legal situation. He’s awaiting sentencing in a federal case and is trying to prevent prosecution in other state and federal cases.
New York case
The President-elect is scheduled to be sentenced in New York criminal court on Nov. 26 after being convicted of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The judge has until Nov. 12 to decide whether to wipe away the conviction because of the Supreme Court’s decision to grant presidential immunity.
If the judge decides in favor of that, Trump’s charges would be dismissed and he won’t be sentenced.
Trump’s lawyers are expected to ask for a delay so they can appeal if the judge decides to keep the conviction.
If a sentencing does go forward, Trump could be ordered to serve as much as four years of prison time, but the judge could impose a lesser sentence like probation.
Georgia case
In Georgia, Fulton County District attorney Fani WIllis is prosecuting Trump on racketeering charges over the 2020 election.
Willis won her reelection race, allowing her to maintain her spot leading Trump’s prosecution, for now.
A state appeals court is weighing whether she should be removed over her romantic relationship with a former special prosecutor on the case.
Since the cases in New York and Georgia are state cases, not federal cases, Trump cannot pardon himself in 2025 after he is sworn into office.
Federal cases
Trump also faces other criminal charges from special counsel Jack Smith in Washington D.C. and Florida.
In one case, Trump is accused of conspiring to subvert the 2020 election results.
In the other case, he faces charges related to mishandling classified documents after leaving office and obstructing the government’s effort to retrieve them.
Trump said he plans to immediately fire Smith’s office, which would reportedly end the two cases against him.
“It’s so easy I would fire him within two seconds … Jack Smith is a scoundrel,” Trump said on The Hugh Hewitt Show in October. “He is a very dishonest man in my opinion.”
Civil cases
President-elect Trump is also defending himself in multiple civil lawsuits including cases involving his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
There’s also two defamation cases filed by E. Jean Carroll and a civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general where Trump was ordered to pay more than 450 million dollars in damages.
It’s possible that all of these cases will play out even as Trump serves his second term.
A unanimous Supreme Court ruling in 1997, stemming from a civil lawsuit then-President Bill Clinton was involved in, decided sitting presidents could not use presidential immunity to avoid civil litigation.
Harris sits down with Fox News, Trump holds town hall
Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on Fox News to talk about topics ranging from immigration and whether she would continue policies implemented by the Biden administration. And what led to the tragic fatal fall of British pop star Liam Payne in Argentina. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
Harris sits down with Fox News, Trump holds town hall
With less than 20 days until America heads to the polls to elect the next president, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News Wednesday, Oct. 16. While Fox News is a familiar outlet for Trump, this was Harris’ first interview with the outlet since becoming the Democratic nominee.
In the one-on-one sit-down interview, Harris told Fox News Anchor Bret Baier her presidency would not be the same as Joe Biden’s previous four years after being questioned about past comments she made, saying she would not have done anything differently than the president.
“So, you’re not Joe Biden, you’re not Donald Trump, but nothing comes to mind that you would do differently?” Baier asked.
“Let me be very clear: my presidency would not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency, and like every new president that comes to office, I will bring my life experiences and professional experiences and fresh and news ideas,” Harris said. “I represent a new generation of leadership. I, for example, am someone who has not spent the majority of my career in Washington, D.C.”
At times during the interview the anchor and the vice president spoke over one another to get their point across. One of those times was when they touched on the topic of immigration and the border.
When pressed about whether she had concerns about President Biden’s health, Harris noted Biden is not the one running for president, Trump is and mentioned former senior Trump officials who said he is not fit for office.
Former President Trump’s town hall with Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner also aired Wednesday. It had an audience made up of all women.
During the event, Trump touched on the topics of abortion and IVF, where he said he was the “father of IVF.”
“We really are the party for I.V.F.,” Trump said. “We want fertilization, and it’s all the way, and the Democrats tried to attack us on it, and we’re out there on I.V.F., even more than them.”
In response to Trump’s “father of IVF” comment, Vice President Harris told reporters it was “quite bizarre.”
A Trump campaign spokesperson said Trump made a joke “in jest when he was enthusiastically answering a question about IVF as he strongly supports widespread access to fertility treatments for women and families.”
Judge invalidates 7 new Georgia election rules
As early voting is underway in Georgia, a judge has ruled seven new rules put in place after the 2020 election are “illegal, unconstitutional, and void.” Among those were three particularly controversial rules — one requiring ballots be hand-counted after polls close and two that had to do with the certification of election results.
On Wednesday, the judge ruled the state Election Board did not have the authority to make those rules and ordered them to be immediately removed. It must also inform all state and local election officials that the rules have been invalidated and not to follow them.
Also in Georgia Wednesday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who charged former President Trump with interfering in the 2020 election, asked an appeals court to reinstate multiple charges against him and his co-defendants that had been tossed out by the trial court judge earlier this year.
Willis argued the judge made a mistake in dropping six of the charges against Trump related to Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer. That ruling removed three of the charges Trump was facing in the case. The same judge later tossed two more counts against Trump.
US bombers strike Houthi weapons facilities in Yemen
The “precision strikes” by the B-2 stealth bombers targeted five underground storage facilities used by the Iran-backed rebel group. Defense officials said those facilities housed advanced weapons that the Islamist military organization has been using to attack military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for months now.
Los Angeles Archdiocese to pay $880M to clergy sex abuse victims
Attorneys for more than 1,300 people who say they suffered abuse at the hands of local catholic priests, reached the settlement after months of negotiations with the archdiocese. It puts an end to more than two decades of litigation against the most populous archdiocese in the United States.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached an agreement in principle worth $880 million to compensate more than a thousand decades-old claims of childhood sexual abuse.
The archdiocese has previously paid $740 million to victims in various settlements. This settlement put the total payout at more than $1.5 billion, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Liam Payne, member of One Direction, dies at 31 after fall from hotel balcony
The music industry and fans around the world are mourning the death of Liam Payne, a member of the British boy band One Direction. He died Wednesday at 31 years old.
According to authorities in Argentina, Payne fell from a third-story balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation, however, the Associated Press reported police rushed to the hotel in response to a call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Since the band took an indefinite hiatus in 2016, Payne embarked on a solo career. The singer has been open about his struggles with alcoholism, announcing in July 2023 that he had been sober for six months after seeking treatment.
Pop star Charlie Puth, who collaborated with Payne in the past, remembered the One Direction singer on social media saying, “Liam was always so kind to me. I can not believe that he is gone…may he rest in peace.”
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, his parents, and two older sisters.
Pizza Hut to open “Personal Pan Pizza Hut” pop-up location in New York City
For those craving pizza but not wanting to share it, Pizza Hut has come up with a concept just for you.
It’s opened the Personal Pan Pizza Hut, a small restaurant experience only offering the pizza chain’s popular 6-inch personal pan pizza. Guests who are able to snag a reservation can customize their pizza any way they want, in their personal hut.
The Personal Pan Pizza hut will only be around in New York City for two days sometime later this month, so spots are limited. Reservations open Thursday, Oct. 17, and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Israel says Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after deadly attack on soccer field
Israel vowed Hezbollah will “pay the price” after the deadliest strike on Israeli territory since Oct. 7 killed 12 children. And former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris continue on the campaign trail with less than 100 days to go until Election Day. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, July 29, 2024.
Israel: Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after deadly attack on soccer field
Tensions are escalating in the Middle East after a deadly assault on Israel on Saturday, July 27. Israeli officials said a Hezbollah rocket launched from Lebanon struck a soccer field in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, killing 12 children.
It marked the deadliest attack on Israeli soil since Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack. Hezbollah has denied it was behind the strike.
Now, attention turns to how Israel will respond to the threat and if the war is on the brink of expansion.
Thousands of people attended funeral services for the children who died in Saturday’s attack. Their caskets were hauled through the streets as people paid their respects.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Hezbollah “will pay the price” for the latest attack.
It’s an escalation in a series of back and forth between Hezbollah and Israel. The Iran-backed militant group has been firing rockets at Israel from Lebanon since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has been retaliating, striking their targets in Lebanon and killing top Hezbollah and Hamas leadership in the region, but this latest hit against Israel could create a larger response.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the country will not get involved in a war but will stand behind Hezbollah. The foreign minister said Lebanon has received reassurances from the U.S. and France that Israel’s response will be “limited.”
The Biden administration has warned Israel of how its next steps could lead to a larger conflict and is warning against them hitting Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s capital of Beirut. International flights into Beirut are being canceled out of fears of escalation.
Harris, Trump look to rally support less than 100 days until election day
With less than 100 days left until the 2024 presidential election, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump spent the weekend speaking to their supporters at campaign events. Harris spoke to voters in Massachusetts and Trump held events in Florida.
“She was a bum,” Trump told his supporters in West Palm Beach on Friday, July 26. “Three weeks ago, she was a bum, a failed vice president in a failed administration with millions of people crossing when she was the border czar.”
Harris promised supporters her “underdog” campaign would prevail.
“Donald Trump has been resorting to some wild lies about my record,” she said on Saturday, July 27. “And some of what he and his running mate are saying, it’s just plain weird.”
New polling from ABC News shows support for Harris is growing among independent voters. Forty-four percent have a favorable view of Harris — up from 28% from only a week ago — as she tries to rally Democratic Party support before officially becoming the nominee.
On July 30 and Aug 1., Harris will hold campaign events in Georgia and Texas, respectively. Trump will head back to Pennsylvania for the first time since surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in the state on July 13.
Mark Meadows asks SCOTUS to intervene in Georgia election interference case
Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff during the Trump administration, is turning to the Supreme Court to intervene in the Georgia election interference case against him. Meadows’ lawyers have asked the justices to take up his bid to move the case to federal court.
In their filing on Friday, July 26, Meadows’ legal team argued his actions are entitled to immunity from prosecution citing the high court’s recent ruling that gave former President Trump immunity for official acts as president.
Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case, however, remains on hold as Meadows and other co-defendants — including former President Trump — challenge a ruling that allows Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the case amid claims of improper conduct.
Maduro and opposition both claim to win Venezuela’s presidential election
In a highly watched and highly scrutinized electoral process, Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro claimed to have won the presidential election on Monday, July 29. However, his political opponents have too.
With 80% of votes counted, Maduro is said to have won with more than 51% of the vote, leading electoral authorities to declare him the winner.
However, the opposition claims candidate Edmundo González had received 70% of the vote against Maduro’s 30% and González said all rules were violated. The opposition is demanding electoral authorities present all the voting tallies issued by the voting machines to verify the results.
The United States and multiple regional nations have also voiced skepticism about official results handing victory to Maduro.
The man accused of starting what is now the largest active wildfire in the country is set to appear in a California court on Monday, July 29. The fast-spreading fire near Chico has burned more than 350,000 acres in three days, forcing thousands of people in four counties to leave their homes.
The Park Fire had scorched an area greater than the size of Los Angeles as of Sunday, July 28, causing poor air quality in a large part of the northwestern U.S. and western Canada.
Cooler temperatures and more humidity over the weekend helped firefighters make some progress. They say the fire is now 12% contained.
Apple reaches first-ever union deal with Maryland employees
Apple has reached its first-ever union contract with employees at a Maryland store. The union representing the employees of a store in a Baltimore suburb said it’s reached a tentative three-year deal with Apple to increase pay by an average of 10% and offer other benefits to workers.
The tentative agreement still has to be approved by the store’s 85 workers. A vote is set for Aug. 6.
Team USA wins most medals in Olympics opening weekend
Team USA is off to a strong start at the Paris Olympics, picking up 12 medals over the weekend. That’s the most of any country so far in the games.
USA athletes had won gold three times as of Monday, July 29 morning, including the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, giving Caleb Dressel his eighth gold medal. Torri Huske won the women’s 100m butterfly and Gretchen Walsh took silver, with just four hundredths of a second separating the American athletes.
Lee Kiefer brought home gold in fencing. In gymnastics, Simone Biles made her Olympics return, leading the U.S. Women’s Team into the finals despite suffering a minor calf injury.
On the basketball court, LeBron James led Team USA to victory in their first game, defeating Serbia 110 to 84.
Right-wing group admits it doesn’t have evidence to back up election fraud claims
As the 2024 presidential election draws nearer, election integrity remains a hot-button issue. A Texas-based right-wing group, True the Vote, asserted it can prove widespread voter fraud in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election. However, recent court documents filed in Fulton County, Georgia, reveal the group admitted it cannot produce evidence of such fraud.
True the Vote (TTV) claimed President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election was a result of widespread voter fraud and coordinated efforts to stuff ballot boxes in Atlanta.
The group said it had obtained a detailed account of coordinated efforts to collect and deposit ballots in drop boxes across metro Atlanta during both the 2020 presidential election and the January 2021 Senate runoff election.
Despite requests from law enforcement, the group would not provide its supposed proof to investigators. In response, a district judge ordered True the Vote to produce the evidence including recordings, transcripts and witness statements, along with proof of ballot harvesting and ballot trafficking.
The group’s lawyers submitted documents repeatedly stating it “does not have in its possession custody or control such identity and contact information” and that “TTV does not retain such records.”
“Once again, True the Vote has proven itself untrustworthy and unable to provide a shred of evidence for a single one of their fairy-tale allegations,” a spokesperson for Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said. “Like all the lies about Georgia’s 2020 election, their fabricated claims of ballot harvesting have been repeatedly debunked.”
True the Vote dismissed media coverage of its court filings as “fake news” on its website, and said every ounce of evidence it gave the Georgia Bureau of Investigation related to the 2020 general election “cannot be understood to be like records stored somewhere.”
The organization said the evidence “consisted of massive quantities of electronic data that could only be appreciated and understood when you had multiple servers processing it and visually displaying how the information intersected in real-time. This is called geospatial analysis.”
True the Vote claims the state was unwilling to provide whistleblower protection in 2021 and unwilling to examine the data while it was still set up in active databases.
The group claims Georgia investigators could have gotten a warrant to investigate the data and that there’s nothing from stopping the agency from doing that now, over three years later.
3 US soldiers killed in Jordan drone strike identified: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 30, 2024
The Defense Department identifies the three U.S. soldiers killed in a drone strike at a base in Jordan as officials investigate how the attack happened. And Elon Musk says his Neuralink startup has successfully implanted a computer chip into a human’s brain for the first time. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
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3 U.S. soldiers killed in Jordan drone strike identified
The identities of the three U.S. soldiers who were killed in an attack on a military base in Jordan on Sunday, Jan. 28, have been released as the investigation is revealing new details. The Defense Department said 46-year-old Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 23-year-old Spc. Breonna Moffett and 24-year-old Spc. Kennedy Sanders, all from Georgia, were killed by an unmanned aerial drone attack on the troops’ sleeping quarters in the early morning hours.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our three Army Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country in Jordan. Our prayers are with these loyal and courageous Soldiers’ families, friends, and the entire 718th Engineer Company – we honor their selfless…
The Biden administration blamed an Iranian-backed militia group for the attack, the first in which American soldiers have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Iran has denied it was behind the strike. White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby echoed President Joe Biden’s comments a day earlier. Kriby said the U.S. would respond.
“We do not seek another war. We do not seek to escalate,” Kirby said. “But we will absolutely do what is required to protect ourselves, to continue that mission, and to respond appropriately to these attacks.”
All three soldiers who died were part of Operation Inherent Resolve, tasked with defeating ISIS in the region. The strike is believed to be the deadliest attack on U.S. service members since 13 Americans were killed in Afghanistan in 2021.
Six-week pause in war proposed for release of more hostages
Talks of another pause in the war between Israel and Hamas are in the early stages. Still, officials said the framework to deal is expected to be presented to Hamas that would see a six-week stoppage in fighting and the release of more hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
I met with @MBA_AlThani_ in Washington, DC, to discuss efforts to secure the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas. We are thankful for Qatar’s partnership and indispensable role in mediating. pic.twitter.com/ngdqwM5miY
The terms were drafted by representatives of the United States, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt on Sunday, Jan. 28, in Paris. CIA Director William Burns was among those working on the plan that Qatar would present to Hamas officials, and they would then send back a response.
“We are hoping actually, to relay this proposal to Hamas and to get them to a place where they engage positively and constructively in the process.” Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani said during an Atlantic Council webinar.
Officials told the New York Times the early framework called for Hamas to release elderly hostages as well as any remaining women and children during the pause in fighting. When asked on Monday, Jan. 29, about the plan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken replied, “The less said, the better.” He added the proposal on the table is a “compelling one” and “there is some real hope going forward.”
IRS contractor sentenced to 5 years for leaking Trump’s tax records
I acted out of a sincere, if misguided, belief I was serving the public interest.
Charles Edward Littlejohn
Prosecutors said Littlejohn leaked tax data to the New York Times and ProPublica between 2018 and 2020; prosecutors called the leaks “unparalleled in the IRS’s history” and argued that Littlejohn applied to be an IRS contractor to get Trump’s tax returns and figured out how to search for records without sounding alarms.
“I acted out of a sincere, if misguided, belief I was serving the public interest,” Littlejohn said.
Littlejohn was also fined $5,000 and will be under three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Judge Reyes said the crime was so extraordinary that the punishment must “deter others who might feel an obligation to break the law.”
Cyberattack targets government systems where Trump faces election interference charges
A cyberattack targeted Fulton County, Georgia, government systems, where former President Donald Trump faces election interference charges. According to a Fulton County official, the attack, which is being investigated by law enforcement, targeted devices that use county servers, including those used by District Attorney Fani Willis’ Office.
A county commissioner said there is no indication that any sensitive information about employees or citizens has been leaked, and there is no timeline for when the threat will end and when systems will be restored.
The attack comes as Willis faces filing deadlines in the election interference case against Trump. This week, Willis will be heard in front of a judge as to why she should not be disqualified from prosecuting the case following allegations that she had a relationship with the special prosecutor she hired to work on the Trump case.
Elon Musk says Neuralink has implanted computer chip in first human
Musk said initial results showed “promising neuron spike detection” but gave no further details on the procedure or the patient. In May of 2023, Neuralink announced it received approval from the FDA to conduct its first-in-human clinical study.
🧠 Elon Musk announced the first successful Neuralink brain chip implant in a human. Think about telling someone 10 years ago that by 2024, we'd be on the brink of unlocking telepathy…
In a follow-up post, Musk said the first Neuralink product called “telepathy” will enable the patient to use a phone or computer to control any device just by thinking. Musk said initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs.
Pilot believes he may have found Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane
Tony Romeo, a former Air Force intelligence officer, said he and his crew at Deep Sea Vision may have discovered the long-lost wreckage of Earhart’s twin-engine aircraft after scanning more than 5,200 square miles of ocean floor.
The $11 million expedition used an underwater drone to capture a sonar image resembling the shape of an airplane near Howland Island, halfway between Australia and Hawaii. Earhart was set to land on the island for refueling during her 1937 flight, in which she had hoped to be the first pilot to circumnavigate the globe.
Because the images are blurry, Romeo said his team will return to the site later this year to take clearer photos to confirm if it is indeed the long-lost plane.
Georgia grand jury report to be released: The Morning Rundown Sept. 8, 2023
The Georgia special grand jury investigating the 2020 election will release their report, and a viral internet challenge turns deadly. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.
Georgia special grand jury report to be released
The special grand jury report in Georgia that ultimately led to an indictment of former President Donald Trump is expected to be released Friday. The grand jury spent seven months, heard from 75 witnesses and closed their investigation in December.
Their job was to compile any recommendations regarding potential charges and give those to Georgia prosecutors. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis used report to indict former President Trump and 18 others on charges related to the 2020 presidential election in the state.
North Korea unveils nuclear-armed submarine
North Korea announced Friday it has launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine.” Leader Kim Jong Un said the submarine will be one of the main “underwater offensive means” of the North Korean Navy.
The submarine has been assigned to the fleet that patrols the waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan. It has 10 launch tube hatches, most likely armed with ballistic and cruise missiles.
A former U.S. government weapons expert told Reuters the submarine won’t add much value to North Korea’s more robust, land-based nuclear forces. He said it is based on an aging submarine model that is relatively noisy, slow and has limited range.
South Korea’s military said the submarine did not appear to be read for normal operations, adding that there were signs the North was attempting to exaggerate it capabilities.
17 arrested in Cuba human trafficking ring
Cuban authorities have arrested 17 people in connection to an alleged human trafficking ring. The goal of the ring was to lure young Cuban men to fight for Russia in its war with Ukraine.
According to authorities, the group’s “internal organizer” was one of the 17 arrested. The leader relied on two people living in Cuba to handle the recruiting. Charges the group members are facing include:
Human trafficking
Fighting as a mercenary
Hostile action against a foreign state.
Potential sentences from these charges range from up to 30 years in prison to the death penalty.
Despite its close ties to Russia, Cuba has maintained that it has no part in the war in Ukraine. Cuba said it rejects the use of its citizens as mercenaries.
CIA releases Russian spy recruitment video
The CIA has renewed its push to recruit Russians to become spies against their own government. The agency posted a video in Russian on social media on Thursday, Sept. 7.
In the video, the CIA made an appeal to tell the truth about a system the agency has said is riddled with lying sycophants. In July of 2023, CIA Director William Burns said dissatisfaction from some Russians over the war had created a rare opportunity to recruit spies.
‘One Chip Challenge’ pulled from shelves after teen’s death
Paqui has pulled its “One Chip Challenge” spicy tortilla chip from store shelves. Last week, 14-year-old Harris Wolobah of Massachusetts died after taking the challenge.
Wolobah ate the chip at school, went to the nurse complaining of a stomach ache and passed out at home before being pronounced dead at the hospital. A report is pending on the official cause of death.
In a statement, the company said the chip is intended for adults only, adding that it’s “not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or who has food allergies, is pregnant or other underlying health conditions.”
One year since the death of Queen Elizabeth II
The royal family honored the late Queen Elizabeth II and her 70-year reign on the first anniversary of her death Friday. King Charles III released a statement saying he is remembering his mother’s “long life, devoted to service.”
Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will mark the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death privately at Balmoral Castle. She was 96 years old.
Idalia, now a hurricane, nears Florida: The Morning Rundown Aug. 29, 2023
Idalia has strengthened to a hurricane on its way toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, and Toyota has stopped all production at its plants in Japan. These stories highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.
Idalia expected to hit Florida as Category 3 hurricane
Less than 24 hours away from projected landfall in Florida, Idalia has strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane. The storm is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, with winds topping 100 mph.
President Joe Biden spoke with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Monday, Aug. 28. A federal emergency disaster has already been declared in the state in order to expedite federal resources.
Warmer-than-average water in the Gulf of Mexico has grown the size of the storm. It’s expected to hit Florida early on Wednesday, Aug. 30 and impact a wide central portion of Florida. This includes major cities like Tampa and Orlando.
As Idalia approaches Florida, Hurricane Franklin is at Category 4 strength over the Atlantic. It’s projected to miss the southeastern coast of the United States.
Trial date set for March 4 in Trump federal election case
1 dead in shooting at University of North Carolina
A shooter opened fire on the campus of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill on Monday, Aug. 28, killing one faculty member and causing the school to go into lockdown for hours. Police said the shots were fired inside the school’s chemistry building around 1:00 p.m.
Sirens sounded, and students and staff were told to remain inside. Arriving officers found the faculty member, who has not been identified, inside a school lab.
“I’m grieved to report that one of our faculty members was killed in this shooting,” UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, who also released a statement, said Monday. “This loss is devastating and the shooting damages the trust and safety we so often take for granted in our campus community.”
Police said witness information helped officers track down the suspected shooter. According to local reports, the suspect was arrested a short time later in a residential neighborhood near campus.
The name of the suspect has not been released. A motive for the shooting is under investigation.
Toyota plants in Japan shut down due to computer problems
All 28 assembly lines at Toyota’s 14 plants in Japan had to shut down due to a production system malfunction. The company said the problem was with its computer system that deals with incoming auto parts.
A spokesperson for the automaker said they do not suspect it to be a cyberattack. According to Reuters, the Japanese plants account for roughly 33% of Toyota’s global production.
It’s not clear when production will resume. The shutdown comes as Toyota rebounds from a semiconductor shortage that stalled production.
American Airlines fined after passengers stuck on tarmac
The U.S. Department of Transportation said it is fining American Airlines $4.1 million for unlawfully keeping passengers stuck inside planes on the tarmac for lengthy periods of time. It’s the heftiest fine the government agency has ever handed down over tarmac delay violations.
Airlines are prohibited from keeping passengers on the tarmac for more than three hours. American Airlines violated that rule 43 times between 2018 and 2021, including one delay on the tarmac in San Antonio that lasted six hours.
The airline released a statement saying the 43 incidents represent a small number of the nearly 8 million flights taken during that time period.
In July of 2023, it was a Delta Air Lines plane that passengers were on when their flight was delayed for hours. Some passengers reportedly passed out due to hot and uncomfortable conditions while stuck on the tarmac.
NASA exploring idea of Mach 4 passenger jet
NASA has begun investigating the possibility of a passenger plane traveling four times faster than the speed of sound, or around 3,045 miles per hour. The agency said it is studying about 50 established commercial air routes.
Since the U.S. and other nations have banned all civilian supersonic flights over land 50 years ago, NASA’s study only covered trans-oceanic travel. The agency has issued two year-long contracts to companies like Boeing to develop concept designs to make supersonic air travel a reality.
Trump to surrender in Georgia Thursday: The Rundown Aug. 22, 2023
Former President Donald Trump said he plans to surrender to authorities in Georgia, and it’s the end of an era for an iconic plumber. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Trump to surrender to authorities in Georgia
Former President Trump planned to surrender to authorities on Thursday, Aug. 24 in connection to an indictment in Georgia on charges he attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state. Trump confirmed as much on his social media platform on Monday, Aug. 21.
“Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be arrested,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Hours before that post, Trump’s bond was set at $200,000. According to the bond agreement between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Trump’s attorneys and the judge, the former president is barred from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case.
Willis had given Trump and 18 other co-defendants until Friday, Aug. 25 to turn themselves in. Trump’s former personal lawyer John Eastman has agreed to surrender on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Trump will surrender at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia a day after the first Republican primary debate. He has already said he will not be taking part in the debate. Multiple news outlets have reported a prerecorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson will be made available at the same time.
Biden visits Maui two weeks after wildfires ravaged island
President Joe Biden visited the island of Maui Monday to survey the devastation left behind by massive wildfires earlier in August. President Biden met with survivors, reassuring them federal resources were there to stay as long as recovery efforts take.
On top of mind on the island are the more than 800 people still considered missing. One hundred fifteen people have been found dead.
Officials said there are still weeks of searching to go as crews slowly clear a five-mile disaster zone left in the wake of the historic wildfire. Biden offered his condolences to the community and recognized their strength shown in the process so far.
“Many of you have lost more than just that. Many of you have lost family. Not even sure where some are,” Biden said. “You know, I’ve been impressed how you look out for one another, you turn your pain into purpose. This town has stood as a sacred spot for centuries.”
Judge considers legality of Texas buoy barriers
A federal judge in Texas will consider whether the state has legal grounding to keep its buoy barrier afloat in the Rio Grande River. The border security tactic has been controversial ever since it was implemented in July of 2023.
The Biden administration and Mexico have both pushed for Texas to remove the buoys, citing safety concerns. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) argued the state first deployed the buoy barriers because of safety concerns.
“Just last month here in the Eagle Pass area, there was an infant who drowned crossing the border,” Gov. Abbott said on Aug. 21. “That was before we put the buoys up, a little infant drowned and not a peep out of Washington, D.C.”
The state of Texas has moved its buoys closer to the United States side of the river to appease a request from Mexico. However, Abbott has stood firm the state is within its legal rights to have the buoys deployed.
Japan to release treated radioactive water into Pacific Ocean
Starting Wednesday, Japan plans to release treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. The move comes amid criticism from some countries like China and support from others like the U.S.
The plan, in the works for years, came to be after the nuclear plant was damaged during a 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Japan had to pump more water into the plant to cool down fuel rods in the reactor. Because of this, space has been limited.
Japan has said the water release is safe. The water will be filtered to remove most radioactive elements except for tritium.
According to Japan, the water will be diluted to well below internationally approved levels. However, some scientists believe the wastewater could still harm marine life.
American Airlines pilots ratify contract that includes pay raises
The contract includes $1.1 billion in one-time payments and ratification bonuses, immediate pay raises averaging 21%, annual raises and increased company contribution to retirement plans. In addition, the pilots will get more vacation benefits and more predictable schedules.
American has approximately 15,000 pilots. The union said 73% of pilots who took part voted in favor of the contract.
Original voice of Nintendo’s Mario steps down
The original voice of Nintendo’s beloved character Mario will step down. Charles Martinet has been voicing the adventurous plumber in Nintendo games since the 1990s.
The company said Martinet will now be serving in the role of “Mario Ambassador,” traveling the world to promote all things Mario. Nintendo has not said who will be replacing Martinet.
Earlier in August, the company reported a 52% increase in net profits. The rise was in part due to the success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which has grossed $1.3 billion.
Trump is one of eight candidates who have qualified for the debate. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez claimed to have qualified on Friday, Aug. 18, but that has yet to be confirmed.
As for Trump, he will not be participating in the debate. Instead, a prerecorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is expected to be released on debate day.
The debate comes as Trump opened up a 46-point lead over Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to a CBS poll released over the weekend of Aug. 19. Straight Arrow News’ Ray Bogan spoke with a polling expert who was not surprised by Trump planning to no-show.
“Usually when you’re far ahead, the general rule of thumb is avoid confrontation at all costs,” Monmouth University Polling Institute Director Patrick Murray said. “It’s going to be very difficult for these other candidates to make Donald Trump look weak if he’s not there on the stage with them to respond.”
Two days after the debate is the deadline for Trump and 18 other defendants in the Georgia racketeering indictment to turn themselves in. The indictment was announced Monday, Aug. 14.
While this case also has to do with the 2020 election, it’s currently a state case focusing specifically on alleged actions to overturn the election results in Georgia. However, as a RICO expert told Straight Arrow News, that may not be the case by the time the trial comes around.
“As an officer of the United States being charged with a violation of the law of the state of Georgia, under concepts of federalism, an officer of the United States can, on motion, require the case to be transferred to the United States district court,” Buddy Parker, a partner at Maloy Jenkins Parker, said.
In 2024, Jan. 2 is the Justice Department’s recommended start date for the federal trial over the 2020 election. That’s more than two full years earlier than the timeline Trump’s lawyers requested.
In their request, Trump’s lawyers cited scheduling conflicts and a “massive” amount of information from prosecutors that they have to review. They also contended a case of such an unprecedented nature will present issues that take time to sort out.
“No president has ever been charged with a crime for conduct committed while in office. No major party presidential candidate has ever been charged while in the middle of a campaign — and certainly not by a Justice Department serving his opponent,” the lawyers wrote. “These and numerous other issues will be questions of first impression, requiring significant time for the parties to consider and brief, and for the court to resolve.”
A decision on when the trial will start was expected to be made at an Aug. 28 hearing.
Jan. 15 officially kicks off the Republican primary season with the Iowa caucuses. Top candidates, including Trump, have already descended upon the Hawkeye State to make their case.
“I guess we’re up 50 points in Iowa, five-oh, we’re up tremendously in Iowa and every place else,” Trump said earlier in August. “We did a job for Iowa that nobody could do differently. I mean, we have, you take a look at the kind of money, we took $28 billion from China, I gave that to our farmers all over the country, so they like Trump and I like them.”
March 4 is the date Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wants the Georgia trial to begin. This is likely to be pushed back, however, given the complexity of the case and the number of defendants involved.
A day after Willis wants Trump’s Georgia trial to begin is Super Tuesday, the biggest day of the primary election campaign season. Voters in 14 states will go to the polls on the same night.
Typically, even if the nominee isn’t decided by the end of Super Tuesday, the field is whittled down significantly.
Trump has been accused of falsifying business records related to the payments. Last week, the judge in the case refused a Trump legal team request to recuse himself from the trial.
May 20 is the projected day Trump’s classified documents federal trial is set to begin. The date was a compromise between the Justice Department, who wanted the trial to start in December, and Trump’s legal team, who wanted it to start after the 2024 election.
If Trump’s election campaign continues to dominate the GOP field for president despite his trials, he should have a busy summer ahead of him in 2024. He is likely to officially secure the Republican nomination at the national convention July 15-18. Then it would be on to Nov. 5, where America could see a 2020 rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden.