Three people killed in deadly Honolulu fireworks explosion
Fireworks explosions after midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 1, killed three people and injured more than two dozen others in Honolulu. The incident is raising questions about the risks fireworks pose, particularly in Hawaii.
“No one should have to endure such pain due to reckless and illegal activity,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. “This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks.”
An errant firework set off what Honolulu’s police chief described as thousands of dollars worth of illegal fireworks. The explosion occurred in a carport of a house in the Honolulu neighborhood of Aliamanu.
“It’s taking the lives of young people,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said. “I think that there is very likely going to be one or two children under age 10 that will either be forever disfigured or dead.
Hawaii State Sen. Glenn Wakai represents the area where the blast occurred. He told KHON-TV that, although illegal fireworks have a tradition in Hawaii, laws need to change.
“When I was growing up, it was a tradition to pop the red firecrackers and hear some sounds,” Wakai told KHON. “I never thought it was a tradition to go shoot something into the sky and illuminate the entire neighborhood.”
“I think if there’s consequences for bad behavior, you’re going to see a diminishing of interest in fireworks,” Wakai added.
This firework incident comes nearly two years after the Maui wildfires. The state is still helping the community of Lahaina recover from wildfires that killed at least 102 people, which may have started from a downed power line.
A United Airlines spokesperson said, “the wheel well is only accessible from outside the aircraft.” The airline is working with law enforcement to figure out how the person was able to get in.
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the plane had previously flown from São Paulo, Brazil on a direct flight to Chicago. The plane then had about a four-and-a-half-hour layover before the flight to Maui, which takes a little over nine hours on average.
So far, there is no identity of the person who died.
Questions surround plane crash in Kazakhstan, 38 killed
Investigators are working to figure out why a plane crashed in Kazakhstan, leaving more than two dozen people dead. And what police say might have caused a taxicab to jump the curb and plow into pedestrians in New York City. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.
Questions surround plane crash in Kazakhstan, 38 killed
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight originated Wednesday morning, Dec. 25, from the capital city of Baku and was en route to Grozny in Russia when the plane, an Embraer 190 aircraft, attempted to make an emergency landing approximately two miles from Akta in western Kazakhstan. That’s when it did what appeared to be a figure-eight in the air then slammed into the ground, killing at least 38 people on board while 29 others survived.
According to Russia’s civil aviation authority, a bird strike led to the attempted emergency landing. Reuters reported that Russian news agencies said the flight had been re-routed due to fog in Grozny.
During a press conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said it was too soon to give a reason behind the crash. He also said the weather had forced the plane to change from its planned course.
The plane crash-landed in a field and burst into flames before making it to the destination.
On Wednesday evening, a Wall Street Journal story cited an aviation security firm’s take on the incident. It said Osprey Flight Solutions assessed footage of the crash, plane damage and recent military developments in the area between Russia and Ukraine. The U.K.-based firm said the flight was “likely shot down by a Russian military air-defense system.”
Just hours before the crash, Russia’s defense ministry downed 59 Ukrainian drones in the region.
Matt Borie, Osprey’s chief intelligence officer, said, “Video of the wreckage and the circumstances around the airspace security environment in southwest Russia indicates the possibility the aircraft was hit by some form of anti-aircraft fire.”
Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian national security official, gave a similar viewpoint on X, saying the plane “was shot down by a Russian air-defense system,” citing visible damage to the plane. Kovalenko said Russia should have closed the airspace over Grozny.
Though Russian President Vladimir Putin has given his condolences to the victims, Russian officials have not yet responded to these remarks and theories.
Reports said the cockpit recorder has been recovered as Azerbaijani and Kazakh authorities launch their investigation. There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on the flight, including 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs and three Kyrgyzstan nationals, according to Kazakh officials.
Zelenskyy says Russia launched ‘inhumane’ attack on power grid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces launched an “inhumane” Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s power grid. He said more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 drones targeted the energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted more than 50 missiles and most of the drones, but some facilities were still hit, causing power outages in various regions of Ukraine. The Russian attack on the power grid left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heat in very cold temperatures.
Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice – not only of targets but also of timing and date.
Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles,… pic.twitter.com/GMD8rTomoX
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 25, 2024
Ukrainian forces said they launched an airstrike against a Russian command post in Lgov, part of the Ukrainian-occupied areas in the Kursk region. The acting Russian governor of Kursk said at least four people died and five more were hurt in the attack.
Russian forces also said they shot down a Ukrainian drone in the north Ossetia region. Debris from that air battle caused an explosion and a fire at a shopping center, leaving one person dead.
Body discovered in wheel well of United Airlines flight at Hawaii airport
A United Airlines spokesperson said, “the wheel well is only accessible from outside the aircraft.” The airline is working with law enforcement to figure out how the person was able to get in.
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the plane had previously flown from São Paulo, Brazil on a direct flight to Chicago. The plane then had about a four-and-a-half-hour layover before the flight to Maui, which takes a little over nine hours on average.
So far, there is no identity on the person who died.
3 hospitalized after taxi hits 6 pedestrians in New York City
In New York City, paramedics rushed three people to the hospital after a taxicab struck six pedestrians, including a 9-year-old boy, on Christmas Day. Police said the cab veered onto the sidewalk on 6th Street near Herald Square in midtown Manhattan just after 4 p.m. ET.
They said the taxi driver might have suffered a medical episode, but that’s still under investigation. No charges or citations have been filed, as of yet.
Mega Millions jackpot soars to $1.15 billion after no Christmas Eve winner
If you were hoping for the $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot for Christmas, you did not get your Christmas wish. There were no jackpot-winning tickets in the Christmas Eve drawing on Tuesday, Dec. 24, which means the jackpot has now gone up to $1.15 billion.
Four people won $3 million apiece for matching five numbers.
The next drawing will be Friday night, Dec. 27.
Beyoncé performs during NFL’s Netflix debut
The Baltimore Ravens crushed the Houston Texans 31-2 in the second game of the NFL’s Christmas double-header Wednesday. However, according to social media and online reviews, the big winner of the day was Beyoncé.
The 32-time Grammy-award winner performed during halftime of the game, which was part of the NFL’s debut on Netflix. Dubbed the “Beyoncé Bowl” by the streaming service, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer was joined on the field by entertainers Post Malone and Shaboozey, as well as her daughter Blue Ivey.
This marked the first time Beyoncé sang songs off her country album “Cowboy Carter” in front of a live audience. The album has garnered 11 Grammy nominations.
Just to be clear, this was the halftime show of the Christmas Day game, not the Super Bowl. That one will be performed by Kendrick Lamar.
New details in special counsel’s 2020 election case against Trump
We’re getting our most in-depth look so far at Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. And there’s new skin in the game in the battle over who actually caught Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024.
New details in special counsel’s 2020 election case against Trump
The new filing, revealed Wednesday, Oct. 2, also claims Trump was “fundamentally” acting as a private candidate and not the President of the United States when he sought to overturn his loss.
The latest court filing comes in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling this past summer that said Trump had immunity for official actions taken while still in office. The filing also alleges the former president knew his claims about the 2020 election being stolen were lies, but he spread them anyways as a ploy to stay in power.
It also includes evidence of Trump’s phone usage during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021 — when, it claims, the former president was scrolling Twitter. The filing also claims Trump pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject Electoral College votes.
“This was a weaponization of government and that’s why it was released 30 days before the election,” he said. “And it’s nothing new in there, by the way, nothing new. They rigged the election. I didn’t rig the election. They rigged the election.”
The new filing was unsealed just 33 days before the election coming up on Nov. 5.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges, accusing him of a conspiracy to obstruct the congressional certification of the election, attempting to defraud the U.S. out of accurate results and interfering with Americans’ voting rights.
At least 6 killed in Israeli strike on central Beirut
It comes after Israeli forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front since clashes with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah started almost a year ago. At least seven Israeli soldiers died in Israel’s recent offensive.
Lebanese health officials say in addition to those killed, at least seven more people were wounded in what Israel says was a precise strike on Lebanon’s capitol, which happened not far from the Lebanese prime minister’s office.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army says it downed at least two drones and more than two dozen rockets fired from Lebanon Thursday.
FEMA warns of funding shortages for Hurricane Helene relief efforts
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has risen to at least 191 across six states, making it the second-deadliest U.S. Hurricane in the past 50 years, behind Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm hit Florida last week before sweeping through the southeast, causing widespread flooding and devastation, especially in North Carolina, where at least 95 people have died.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing critical supplies like meals, water, and generators, but Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has warned FEMA lacks sufficient funding to sustain relief efforts throughout the entire hurricane season. He stressed the need for additional funding, noting FEMA is meeting immediate needs but might not have the resources to continue if another storm hits.
Hurricane season runs from June through November, with most storms occurring in September and October.
Congress recently replenished $20 billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund, but lawmakers may need to reconvene before the election to approve more money if necessary.
Since Helene hit, more than 150,000 households have registered for FEMA assistance and that number is expected to grow as damage assessments continue.
Prosecutors ask for indefinite delay in would-be Trump assassin’s trial
Federal prosecutors have asked for an indefinite delay in scheduling the trial for the man charged in an apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump. They say they’ve collected a “massive” amount of evidence since the Secret Service, with the help of local police in Florida, arrested Ryan Routh last month after authorities say an agent spotted him with a gun outside the Mar-a-Lago golf course where the former president was playing.
Prosecutors have asked the judge in the case to officially designate the case as “complex,” saying they’ve interviewed hundreds of witnesses across various states and have thousands of videos to review from electronic devices they’ve seized. They also say more than 100 outstanding subpoena returns are still pending.
According to the filing, Routh’s defense attorneys did not oppose the prosecutors’ request to delay the trial date. Routh’s lawyers have entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, on the attempted assassination charges.
ATF says broken power line caused deadly Maui wildfire
We now know what caused the massive and deadly wildfire in Maui, Hawaii that claimed 102 lives and caused more than $5 billion in damage. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives has classified the fire as accidental, saying it started when a re-energized broken power line sparked, igniting the fire in an unmaintained vegetation area.
ATF also ruled out the possibility there had been two separate fires saying definitively, “This, in fact, was one fire.”
More than 100 people died and flames destroyed much of the historic city of Lahaina. The fire also sparked other investigations centered on police response and the response from state and Maui county agencies.
Second fan files lawsuit over Ohtani’s historic home run ball
The battle over Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball has intensified. A second fan filed a lawsuit claiming ownership of the valuable souvenir.
The ball, hit during Ohtani’s historic Sept. 19 game for the L.A. Dodgers against the Miami Marlins, has reached about $1.5 million in auction bids.
Joseph Davidov, who filed the latest lawsuit in Florida, claims he had possession of the ball before another fan jumped on him, causing it to roll into the hands of Chris Belanski, who later auctioned it. Davidov is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
This follows 18-year-old Max Matus’ earlier lawsuit, alleging Belanski forcibly took the ball from him during a scramble in the stands. Both fans are pursuing rightful ownership of the ball, which celebrates Ohtani’s achievement as the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
The ongoing legal disputes have delayed the auction, with a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 10. The ball’s rising value has garnered widespread attention, rivaling the $1.5 million sale of Aaron Judge’s American League record-breaking 62nd home run ball in 2022.
Insurance companies want half of Maui wildfire victims’ $4B settlement
Nearly a year after wildfires tore through Maui, claiming over 100 lives and destroying thousands of structures, the aftermath continues to unfold in legal battles and proposed settlements. The wildfires, fueled by drought conditions, high winds and downed power lines, marked Hawaii’s worst natural disaster on record.
Over 2,000 structures were reduced to ashes, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
In response to the disaster, thousands of residents initiated legal action against Hawaiian Electric, the island’s utility provider, blaming it for the fires. Recently, a tentative settlement agreement emerged from court-ordered mediation, proposing a $4 billion payout from Hawaiian Electric and other implicated companies to compensate impacted families.
However, the proposal sparked controversy.
A significant portion of the settlement amount is being contested by insurance companies, including major players like Allstate and State Farm. These insurers are seeking approximately $2 billion from the settlement fund as reimbursement for claims they paid out following the wildfires. Residents and affected parties expressed criticism and argued that insurers are prioritizing profit over the needs of wildfire victims.
“This action arises out of the greed of Hawaii’s insurance industry to put their own selfish profits ahead of the suffering of the people of Maui who are the true victims of the Maui fires,” the lawsuit filed against the insurers states.
As of now, the insurers named in the suit have not publicly commented on the allegations. The lawsuit, brought by homeowners who lost their homes and loved ones in the fires, challenges the insurers’ claim for reimbursement before fully compensating their policyholders for their losses.
Meanwhile, despite the tentative agreement, the $4 billion settlement deal has not yet received final approval from the court. While it was a product of consensus during mediation sessions, the judge overseeing the case has yet to sign off on the proposal.
For the residents of Maui still grappling with impact of the wildfires, the resolution of these legal matters will determine the extent to which justice and recovery are achieved.
Hawaii youth-led climate change case reaches historic settlement
The state of Hawaii settled a landmark case with a group of youth alleging the state was violating their rights with pollution-causing infrastructure. The group called on the state to commit to a transportation system with zero emissions by 2045.
The case, Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, is the world’s first youth-led constitutional challenge to address transportation climate pollution.
Gov. Josh Green announced the settlement Thursday, June 20, praising the young people who he said had been “suing the crap out of me for the better part of the last couple years.”
“The passion demonstrated by these young people in advocating for a healthy, sustainable future for their generation and those to come, is laudable,” Green said.
Thirteen youth from Hawaii brought the case forward in the summer of 2022, and the Hawaii government has spent around $3 million arguing against it. The settlement came just a couple days before the expected June 24 trial.
As part of the settlement, the Hawaii Department of Transportation will create a plan to reach zero emissions for all transportation systems in the islands, land, air, and sea, by 2045. The state already had a pre-existing goal of becoming carbon neutral by that year.
“Climate change is indisputable,” Hawaii Director of Transportation Ed Sniffen said. “Burying our heads in the sand and making it the next generation’s problem is not pono.”
In Hawaii, the word pono means to be righteous and upstanding.
The department will also set aside at least $40 million to build additional public electric vehicle charging stations by 2030. These efforts will be advised by a volunteer youth council that will be established in the coming years.
“We’re the most isolated land mass on the planet.” Green said. “We’re too dependent on fossil fuels. We’re vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events as we saw in Maui, coral bleaching – which is devastating to the fauna that are in the ocean – so it’s very important that they stand up for the future.”
The nonprofit law firm Our Children’s Trust, one of the parties representing the youth, is also supporting several other groups of young people in suing their state governments for accelerating climate change through both their policies and inaction. This is the first of its kind to reach a resolution.
Rylee Brook, one of the plaintiffs, called out to other youth to be active in their climate advocacy.
“Today is a testament to what can be achieved when we stand together with purpose and conviction to hold our governments to their promises for our planet,” Brook said.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott ends bid for president during TV interview: The Morning Rundown, Nov. 13, 2023
In a surprise announcement, Republican candidate for president, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., ends his campaign during a TV interview. And the U.S. confirms it’s in “ongoing negotiations” to free the hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., suspends campaign for president
The field of GOP presidential hopefuls is now smaller after a surprise announcement by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. Speaking with Fox News on Sunday night, Nov. 12, the South Carolina Republican said he is dropping out of the race.
“When I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate. I am suspending my campaign,” Scott said. “I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that they are telling me, ‘Not now, Tim.’ I don’t think they’re saying, ‘No,’ but I do think they are saying, ‘Not now.’ So I’m going to respect the voters, and I’m going to hold on, keep working really hard and looking forward to another opportunity.”
The appearance came just minutes after his campaign sent a final fundraising email to supporters — with the subject line: “one last chance.”
Scott had canceled a weekend stop in Iowa. He told Fox News he was recovering from the flu.
Several GOP presidential candidates who remain in the race reacted to the news on social media. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said, “The Republican primary was made better by his participation in it,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he looks forward to Scott continuing to be a leader in the party for years to come.
Scott told Fox News he is not looking to endorse any other candidate and is not interested in becoming anyone’s vice president. “Vice president has never been on my to-do list for this campaign, and it’s certainly not there now,” Scott said.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., unveils two-step government funding plan
With just days to go for Congress to pass a plan to avert a government shutdown — Friday, Nov. 19, being the deadline — newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced a two-step government stopgap funding plan over the weekend.
The plan extends government funding for some agencies and programs until Jan. 19 and for others until Feb. 2.
The plan does not include budget cuts, or funding requested by President Joe Biden for Israel, Ukraine, or border security.
In a statement, Johnson said separating the plan from other funding debates would “place our conference in the best position to fight for fiscal responsibility, oversight over Ukraine aid, and meaningful policy changes at our southern border.”
The White House reacted to Johnson’s plan, calling it an “unserious proposal.”
Facing a government shutdown in September, Congress passed a 47-day funding bill, then just days later, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted from his position, leaving the House unable to pass any new resolution. Johnson was elected the new speaker three weeks ago.
Get up to speed on the stories leading the day every weekday morning. Get The Morning RundownTM newsletter straight to your inbox!
The Pentagon announced that the cause of the crash is under investigation, but there is no indication that it was the result of “hostile activity.” Search and rescue teams were dispatched and worked into Saturday, Nov. 11, before being called off.
The Special Operations crew was in the area to assist if needed with American evacuations amid the Israel-Hamas war, according to officials familiar with the situation.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, 38 of Clarksville, Tennessee
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, 34, of Sacramento, California
Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, 26, of Gorham, New Hampshire
Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Apache Junction, Arizona
Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minnesota.
“While we continue to gather more information about this deadly crash, it is another stark reminder that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan gave an update to ABC News on Sunday, Nov. 12, confirming that nine Americans are still missing, but would not confirm Israel’s account that over 230 hostages are still in Gaza, saying only the number of missing is known.
“There are ongoing negotiations involving the Israelis, the Qataris, and we, the United States, are actively engaged in this as well because we want to make sure that we bring home those Americans who have been taken hostage as well as all of the other hostages,” Sullivan said.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said more than 11,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its airstrikes in response to Hamas’ attack.
Attention has turned to the condition of hospitals in the region amidst the fighting. The Palestinian Health Minister said a majority of medical facilities in Gaza are out of service, leading to the death of three newborns and 10 other patients at Gaza’s largest hospital.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the United States carried another set of airstrikes in Eastern Syria on facilities connected to Iranian-backed groups on Sunday, Nov. 12, in response to repeated attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. said the latest “precision” strikes targeted a training facility and safe house.
Scientists called the risk of an eruption in the southwest of the island “considerable,” sparking evacuations of a small fishing town with about 3,000 residents.
In the past few years, Iceland has seen several volcanic eruptions in unpopulated areas of the country. The latest seismic activity also resulted in the closure of the Blue Lagoon, a geo-thermal spa and one of the main tourist destinations on the island.
The North Atlantic island is one of the most seismically active areas on the planet.
Pond at Maui Wildlife Refuge turns pink
Scientists think they have the answer to a mystery in Hawaii that has resulted in a multitude of tourists flocking to a wildlife refuge after the pond there turned pink. Staff at the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Maui want visitors to know that the bubble gum-pink pond is most likely not something to cheer about.
Scientists said Maui’s drought could be a contributing factor. The dry conditions and high salt levels allow single-cell organisms that thrive in bodies of water with high salt levels to surface.
The refuge’s staff warns visitors not to enter the water or eat any fish caught in it.
Staff at the refuge hope the tourists take a moment to learn about their mission of conserving nature and endangered birds while also looking at the pink water.
After deadly fire, Maui housing crisis compounded by short-term rental market
The deadly Lahaina and Kula fires devastated large areas of Maui and heavily impacted the island’s economy — especially the housing market. The Maui Tenants Association is calling on Hawaii Gov. Josh Green to continue a county-wide freeze on rent and evictions.
The government’s official response came hours before the previous emergency proclamation was slated to end, with Green releasing an eighth proclamation extending the rent and eviction freeze.
Hawaii Sen. Angus McKelvey, D, represents the district containing what remains of Lahaina. McKelvey also lost his home in the fires and has been advocating for support and permanent housing for survivors.
You just gotta scream and shout and shout and shout until they finally hear you out
Sen. Angus McKelvey
“You just gotta scream and shout and shout and shout until they finally hear you out,” McKelvey said.
The Valley Isle caters to tourists, forming 40% of the economy, but the number of visitors has slowed. Tourist numbers and spending for September were down by over 50% compared to the same time last year.
Some are pushing for the rebuilt Lahaina to be rezoned to include cheaper, more affordable housing. However, McKelvey says it’s a balance between retaining the character and history of the town and ensuring locals can afford to live there.
“I think there’s a lot of opportunity to preserve and protect lands for that affordable housing and also plan together so you can create something where everybody benefits and there’s a communal sense of community there,” McKelvey said.
Others are calling to force short-term rentals into long-term rentals, prioritizing locals over visitors.
“Those properties alone can easily house everybody that has been displaced by the fires,” a Maui Tenants Association spokesperson said. “Pull those permits. Do away with short-term rentals now!”
McKelvey voiced his support, saying, “I absolutely agree, And again, because of the emergency situation, we require the government to do that, to take these kinds of steps. There should be no short-term rentals in the area and there should be long-term rentals only.”
McKelvey also applauded a recent mortgage moratorium from the Federal Housing Administration, which lasts until May 2024.
“So, that is good news. But more needs to be done. But it’s an important development in getting that bar on FHA notes,” McKelvey said.
While a small town, Lahaina was culturally and economically significant. Lahaina’s 700 businesses made up 16% of all establishments on the island. Most have been destroyed, damaged or made inaccessible due to the hazardous waste caused by the fire.
“When you have lights in the darkness, it’s imperative upon us to shine the bright lights on them so people can see it,” McKelvey said. “When we do have a victory, even like the HUD mortgage forbearance, it’s a start, but it’s worthy shining a light on.”
US officials release findings in deadly Gaza hospital blast: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 25, 2023
U.S. intelligence officials release their findings on who was behind the deadly blast at a hospital in Gaza. Also, dozens of states sue Meta, alleging it uses addictive techniques, harming kids and teens. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
IDF launches’ wide-scale strikes’; U.S. issues findings on hospital blast
Officials with the U.S. Office of the Director of Intelligence said they came to that conclusion after examining multiple videos and using geolocation techniques to trace the blast to a rocket launched inside Gaza that suffered a mechanical failure before crashing into the hospital.
U.S. intelligence officials could not say for certain who fired the rocket but said they assess with “low confidence” that the militant group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was responsible.
One U.S. official said they examined communication between Hamas militants who were speculating that Palestinian fighters were responsible.
U.S. officials added that the strike was not consistent with Israeli munition.
The blast reportedly killed anywhere from 100 to 300 people, with intelligence officials saying they could not offer a definitive number.
House Republicans nominate Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., for speaker
House Republicans have selected their next choice for speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.
Johnson won the final round of secret ballot voting on Tuesday night, Oct. 24. The next highest vote-getter was former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted three weeks ago in a historic vote.
It remains unclear, however, if Johnson, the GOP conference vice chair, can acquire the 217 votes to become the next speaker of the House.
Some GOP members have raised the idea of having a co-speakership with McCarthy returning as speaker and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who was once the GOP’s nominee, act as McCarthy’s assistant speaker.
A floor vote on a speaker could happen as early as Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 25.
Michael Cohen testifies against Donald Trump in civil fraud trial
The trial stems from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ $250 million lawsuit, accusing Trump, his eldest sons, and his organization of lying about his wealth to get more favorable loan terms.
Trump’s attorney began cross-examining Cohen by bringing up Cohen’s guilty plea in 2018, where the lawyer admitted to lying to Congress.
During a break in the trial, Trump told reporters that he was not worried about Cohen’s remarks.
Following his testimony against his former boss, Cohen left the courtroom telling reporters it was a “heck of a reunion.”
States sue Meta, alleging addictive features harm young users
Dozens of states have sued Meta, claiming the company used addictive features to keep kids and teens on its social media platforms for more extended periods and have them return again and again.
According to the complaint filed by 33 attorneys general in federal court on Tuesday, Oct. 24, Meta aimed its Instagram and Facebook platforms at younger users through algorithms, notifications, and endless scrolling feeds.
The attorneys general allege Meta’s use of features, including the like button and photo filters, promotes social comparisons and negatively impacts teenagers’ mental health.
The bipartisan group of attorneys general from states including California, Louisiana, Nebraska, and New York seeks financial damages and for Meta to end these practices.
In addition to the 33 states, nine other attorneys general are also filing lawsuits in their states and Washington, D.C.
The social media company said it was disappointed the attorneys general took this path instead of working together to “create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use.”
West Maui to welcome back tourists after deadly wildfire
West Maui is welcoming tourists once again following the deadliest wildfire in more than a century, which killed 99 people and destroyed thousands of homes in August 2023.
According to the mayor of Maui County, Richard Bissen, aside from burned sections of the historic town of Lahaina, West Maui will open up to tourists on Nov. 1.
The announcement comes about a month after Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said that tourism would return in West Maui on Oct. 8. But the mayor modified the governor’s plan, and only a small part of Maui’s northern edge has reopened.
Still, not everyone is ready to welcome tourists back, with some petitioning that the community is still healing. Many who lost their homes are concerned they may be forced to leave short-term hotel lodging.
Mayor Bissen said the Red Cross has guaranteed no one will be forced out of their housing.
New Jersey restaurant relinquishes ‘Taco Tuesday’ trademark registration
It may be Wednesday, but we are still talking about “Taco Tuesday.”
The famous phrase is now free to be used by any restaurant in any state, thanks to Taco Bell.
In July 2023, the smaller regional chain Taco John abandoned its trademark registration of the phrase in 49 states, but there was one lone holdout.
Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar in Somers Point, New Jersey, had owned its “Taco Tuesday” trademark for over 30 years. However, that changed when Taco Bell announced on Tuesday that the New Jersey restaurant had relinquished its trademark.
With the trademark canceled in all 50 states, Taco Bell says “Taco Tuesday” now “officially belongs to all who make, sell, eat, and celebrate tacos.”
Some Lahaina residents return to homes destroyed by wildfire
For the first time since the deadly wildfire that destroyed the Hawaii town of Lahaina, some residents are returning to what they used to call home. On Monday, Sept. 25, authorities opened part of the area the wildfire destroyed, allowing some residents their first look at the aftermath.
The Aug. 8 wildfire killed at least 97 people and destroyed more than 2,000 buildings, most of which were homes. Since the fire, the area has been closed to everyone except authorized workers.
Monday, Sept. 25, marked the first time some residents were given the chance to see what was left of their homes. Darryl Oliveira, the interim administrator for the Maui Emergency Management Agency, said he wanted to give residents an opportunity to reflect.
“I think initially, you know, people who haven’t been in here since the fire are taken aback by the amount and extent of the destruction,” Oliveira said. “Talking to one property owner, he’s like, ‘Darryl, there’s no wood, nothing is here from our home.’”
While residents were allowed to see what may have survived the flames, officials urged them not to sift through the ruins, fearing it might stir up toxic dusts. The first zone to open for supervised reentry included about two dozen plots of land in northern Lahaina.
The damage from the wildfire as a whole was so extensive that officials said it will take at least a decade to rebuild.
