A manhunt is underway after a mass shooting in Maine left multiple people dead. And, after three weeks, the United States has a new speaker of the House. These stories and more highlight the Morning Rundown for Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Manhunt underway for suspect in Maine mass shooting
A manhunt continues Thursday morning for the shooter who killed multiple people at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday night, Oct. 25.
Police have not yet confirmed the number of casualties in the mass shooting. Still, according to reports, at least 16 to 22 people were killed, and dozens of others, reportedly up to 50 people, were injured, some by gunfire, and others were hurt while running from the shots.
Though authorities have not identified a suspect, they are working to locate a person of interest identified as Robert Card, 44, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Card is described as a trained firearms instructor and is believed to be in the Army reserve. Reports indicate he recently reported having mental health issues and had threatened to shoot up a National Guard base. Reports said he had been committed to mental health facility for two weeks this past summer.
Maine’s Department of Public Safety updated reporters late Wednesday night, Oct. 25.
“We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case, to locate Mr. Card, who is a person of interest and a person of interest only, and we will continue to gather information so we can bring the suspect to justice,” Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said.
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for residents of Lewiston, as well as in nearby Lisbon, where police recovered a vehicle said to belong to Card.
Federal officials said President Joe Biden, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security have all been briefed on the situation.
If the number of deaths reaches 22, it would make this shooting the deadliest in the United States since the 2019 mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart, where 23 people were killed, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Biden speaks on a two-state solution, questions Gaza death toll
Overnight, Israel said it conducted a “targeted” raid on terrorist sites in northern Gaza using tanks before leaving the area, say it was preparing for the “next stages of combat.”
As the Israeli army plans for a full ground invasion of Gaza, President Biden has called on Israel to consider pausing its retaliation against Hamas to allow more aid to enter Gaza.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the president expressed what he said is a vision for what comes next in the region after the war, saying, “It has to be a two-state solution.”
Biden called for a concentrated effort from Israelis, Palestinians and global leaders to create a path for peace.
Speaking at a joint press conference outside the White House with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the president once again expressed the United States’ support of Israel’s right to defend itself but urged Israel to abide by the rules of war and protect civilians.
The president was asked about the death toll in Gaza, reported by the Hamas-run Health Ministry at more than 6,500. Biden responded by questioning the accuracy of Hamas’ reporting.
“I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. I’m sure innocents have been killed,” Biden said. “I think that Israelis should be incredibly careful to be sure that they’re focusing on going after the folks that are propagating this war against Israel, and it’s against our interests when that doesn’t happen. But I have no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using.”
On Wednesday night, Oct. 25, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1,400 people in Israel, including 32 Americans.
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., voted new House speaker
After three weeks and four nominees, there is a new speaker of the House. Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson, R-La., became the 56th House speaker Wednesday, Oct. 25, securing the votes of all 220 Republicans in attendance, surpassing the 215 needed to win.
All 209 House Democrats voted for their party’s leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, R-N.Y.
Johnson was the GOP’s third choice for speaker, following Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s, R-Calif., historic ouster earlier this month. Congressmen Tom Emmer, R-Minn., Steve Scalise, R-La., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, all withdrew their nominations after not being able to get enough votes.
As speaker, Johnson, who has been in Congress since 2017, now faces the task of tackling multiple issues, including a looming government shutdown and aid for Israel and Ukraine.
Donald Trump takes stand at fraud trial, fined $10,000
Former President Donald Trump took the stand during his civil fraud trial in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 25, as the judge fined him $10,000 for violating a gag order.
The judge had called Trump to the stand to question him about remarks he made earlier in the day to reporters when the former president said the person sitting next to the judge was “very partisan.”
Trump told the judge he was referring to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who had been testifying against him.
The judge said he found Trump’s testimony “not credible,” and since he believed Trump was referring to his law clerk, that meant the former president had violated the gag order issued earlier this month, barring the 2024 GOP frontrunner from disparaging court staff.
This was the second time the judge fined Trump for violating the gag order during his civil fraud trial, where he’s being accused of inflating his financial assets. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
United Auto Workers reaches tentative deal with Ford
A breakthrough in the nearly six-week-long strike by auto workers against the Detroit Big Three automakers Ford, GM, and Stellantis.
The United Auto Workers union said on Wednesday, Oct. 25, that it reached a tentative deal with Ford. The union called on Ford workers to head back to work, though the deal still has to be voted on by 57,000 union members.
According to the UAW, Ford workers will receive a 25% wage increase and a cost-of-living raise, which puts the pay increase over 30% — a jump from the start of bargaining when Ford offered 9% wage increases.
The union added that this deal helps in putting pressure on the other two automakers to reach a settlement. During past UAW strikes, others followed when one deal had been made.
Survey: Are people tired of tipping?
If your weekend plans involve dining out at a restaurant, you’ll have to think about tipping your waiter.
Restaurant technology provider Bentobox surveyed 2,500 diners across the U.S., looking for the answer: are people tired of tipping?
According to Bentobox, diners report negative feelings about tipping as an idea but enjoy the control it gives them.
Here are some of the numbers:
- 80% said tipping rewards good service
- 68% said full-service dining always deserves a tip
- 66% said too many places are asking for tips
- 74% said restaurants should pay their staff a living wage instead of asking for tips
- 62% said they would not miss tipping if it went away
Despite those opinions, tipping remains part of the dining experience.
