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Harris, Trump look to win the West with 4 days until Election Day

November 1, 2024
As the presidential campaign heads into the final weekend, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris swing through the western U.S. to sway undecided voters. And crews in Spain search for survivors after a year’s worth of rain fell in just hours. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Harris, Trump look to win the West with days until Election Day

With just four days to go until Election Day and more than 65 million ballots already cast, the candidates are making their final stops on the campaign trail. On Thursday, Oct. 31, both nominees visited the western United States to make their case.

Republican nominee former President Donald Trump spoke at campaign events in New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona, while Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris held rallies in Arizona and Nevada.

At an event in Glendale, Arizona with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Trump repeated his stance of there being “an enemy within” the United States — a comment Harris has criticized in her speeches.

“If you have a smart president, somebody that knows what’s happening, you’re going to be fine,” Trump said, “But we do have an enemy from within. We have some very bad people, and those people are also very dangerous. They would like to take down our country. They’d like to have our country be a nice communist country or a fascist in any way they can, and we have to be careful of that.”

In Henderson, Nevada, Trump said Harris would not be able to handle the presidency, calling her “a child” when it comes to understanding the economy. He also announced former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be working on “health and women’s health” if he’s reelected.

While in Reno, Nevada, Harris continued her warnings to supporters about another Trump presidency, calling trump “increasingly unstable” and “obsessed with revenge.”

“In less than 90 days, either he or I will be sitting in the Oval Office, and listen, here’s what we can imagine, right, we’ve all seen on TV — you’ve seen the Oval Office — just visually imagine what that day will be,” Harris said. “Because, if elected, Donald Trump on day one would walk into that office with an enemies list. When I am elected, I will walk in with a to-do list on behalf of you.”

The vice president told the crowd that people are “exhausted with Trump’s rhetoric.” She also appealed to female voters, criticizing Trump’s comments that he would “protect women” saying, “Trump does not respect the freedom of women.”

Harris’ Nevada rally was interrupted by protesters at times, but the vice president said it was “OK” and “we’re fighting for the right to be heard.”

Friday, Nov. 1, both candidates will hold rallies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the final weekend of the 2024 election cycle begins.

‘Avengers,’ LeBron endorse Harris; Jake Paul backs Trump

Some famous faces put their names behind their pick for president on Thursday. Members of the cast of Marvel’s “Avengers” film franchise assembled to show their support for Vice President Harris while YouTube star Jake Paul backed former president Trump.

Actors Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo and others gathered together in a social media video supporting Harris. NBA superstar LeBron James also backed Harris in a post on X saying, “When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. Vote Kamala Harris.”

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A post shared by Mark Ruffalo (@markruffalo)

Social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul put his endorsement behind the Republican nominee. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Paul laid out his reasons and asked his followers to do their own research.

“Regardless of your emotion, I’m just presenting you with facts,” he said. “Do I think Donald Trump is a perfect human being? No. I don’t think anybody on this planet is a perfect human being, myself included. To be frank, I’m not concerned with Donald Trump’s ‘character flaws’ or what he’s done in the past. What I’m concerned with is how good a president is he, because that is his job and that’s what’s going to affect the people of this nation.”

These endorsements come on the heels of two others. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, endorsed Trump on Wednesday, Oct. 30, while former Republican Governor of California and ‘Terminator’ actor Arnold Schwarzenegger said he is voting for Harris.

Supreme Court rejects Cornel West’s bid to get on Pennsylvania ballot

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Independent presidential candidate Cornel West’s bid to make Pennsylvania polling places tell voters he is also a candidate, and they can write in his name on Election Day.

Why I Am Not Suspending My Campaign
Let me be clear: Despite the immense pressures and intense assaults on my campaign and character, I intend to hold the torch and finish this race – to and after November 5th! The escalating corruption of the US political system and the… pic.twitter.com/CQrcOTX9vi
— Cornel West (@CornelWest) September 30, 2024

West accused the Pennsylvania secretary of state of improperly keeping him off the ballot for not filing all the required paperwork. The state’s top court agreed with the secretary of state, but a federal judge said while it does seem like Pennsylvania’s rules make it harder for third-party candidates to get on the ballot, it’s too close to Election Day to re-print ballots and re-test election machines without increasing the risk of error.

Justice Samuel Alito, who handles appeals originating in Pennsylvania, refused West’s emergency appeal Thursday.

At least 158 killed in Spain’s deadliest flooding in decades

In Spain, crews continue the search for people who remain unaccounted for after the country saw its worst flooding in decades. One year’s worth of rain fell in just hours this week in the country’s southern and eastern regions.

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A post shared by AccuWeather (@accuweather)

Flash floods claimed the lives of at least 158 people, with 155 deaths confirmed in the eastern Valencia region alone. Spain’s minister for territorial policy said Thursday dozens of people are still missing but they don’t have an exact number of how many.

Army specialist charged in female soldier’s murder at Missouri base

An Army specialist is facing charges in connection with the murder of a fellow soldier. Investigators accused Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, of murdering Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23.

Her body was found in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri last week. Rancy, who’s with the 5th Engineer Battalion, is also charged with obstruction.

The Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, which is the primary federal law enforcement agency of the United States Army, is overseeing the probe.

The department has not specified a motive for the killing. It is also unclear if Rancy and Roque knew each other.

OpenAI adds search and summary function to ChatGPT

Google has some new competition. OpenAI has added a search function to its artificial intelligence bot ChatGPT.

🌐 Introducing ChatGPT search 🌐

ChatGPT can now search the web in a much better way than before so you get fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources.https://t.co/7yilNgqH9T pic.twitter.com/z8mJWS8J9c
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) October 31, 2024

Paying subscribers are now able to activate a mode on ChatGPT that makes it respond to queries by searching the internet for the latest information and summarizing what it finds. The search capabilities are powered by Microsoft’s Bing search engine and will draw information from articles by publishers OpenAI has deals with, including The Wall Street Journal owner News Corp. and the Associated Press.

While this function is only for paying subscribers for now, OpenAI said it plans to bring search to all users eventually.
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Othel Moore’s family releases video showing his death in a Missouri prison

October 30, 2024

The family of Othel Moore released a new video Tuesday, Oct. 30, showing the last moments of his life before he died in a cell. Moore was incarcerated at the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri, passing away in December 2023.

“We are here because on December 8, 2023, a 38-year-old Black man was unjustifiably killed at the Jefferson City Correctional Facility,” Andrew Stroth, Moore’s family attorney, said at a news conference Tuesday, Oct. 29. “Last Thursday, October 24, we filed an amended 15-count federal civil rights complaint detailing this unjustified and brutal murder of Othel Moore.”

In the video, Moore is restrained with a spit mask covering his face, his hands behind his back and his legs bound together. He is placed in a small cell while guards look on from outside. He sat motionless for about 10 minutes before a nurse checked on him.

Four prison workers have pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder. Stroth claims the prison workers sprayed Moore with pepper spray and forced him into a position where he suffocated to death. He compares Moore’s death to that of George Floyd, saying prison workers and inmates witnessed Moore crying out, “I can’t breathe.”

“Thirty agonizing minutes of Othel in a dry room or dayroom struggling to breathe,” Stroth said. “Struggling to survive for over 30 minutes.”

Stroth also criticized the medical staff for their lack of urgency in helping Moore.

“The other very disturbing aspect of this case is the lack of care by Centurion Health,” he said. “The medical staff that on every step in this situation failed to protect and preserve and respect the sanctity of Othel’s health.”

Moore’s family has filed wrongful death lawsuits.

The prison released a statement in June saying the restraint used on Moore was “designed to prevent injury to himself and others” and that the department has since “discontinued use of the restraint system in which Moore was held.”

“We have taken and will continue to take steps necessary to mitigate safety risks to everyone in our facilities,” the statement read.

Prison guards told investigators that Moore was not listening to commands and was spitting at them. At the time of his death, Moore was serving a 30-year sentence for domestic assault, drug possession, robbery, armed criminal action and violence against a Department of Corrections inmate or employee.
Person of interest detained in Fort Leonard Wood soldier’s murder

October 25, 2024

Army officials detained a person of interest in the suspected murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque. Her body was found earlier this week in a dumpster near single soldier housing at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Roque, 23, was reported missing Monday, Oct. 21, after she failed to report for duty. Her body was discovered later that day on base.

The Army Criminal Investigation Division, in collaboration with the FBI, is investigating Roque’s death as a homicide. Officials have not disclosed details about the detained person of interest or potential motives, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Army CID confirmed there is no broader threat to the community, and that forensic analysis is playing a central role in the inquiry.

Originally from Ligonier, Indiana, Roque enlisted in 2020 and served as a mine dog handler with the Fifth Engineer Battalion, specializing in detecting explosives. She received several honors during her service, including the Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

“Sgt. Roque was a devoted daughter, sister, friend, and soldier who served her country with courage and commitment,” Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Fort Leonard Wood’s commanding general.

Fort Leonard Wood, located in central Missouri, serves as a primary training facility for the U.S. Army, training approximately 80,000 military personnel annually.
Voters to decide whether to increase minimum wage in several states

October 21, 2024

Voters in three states will go to the polls this November to decide whether to increase their state’s minimum wage. The states in question include Alaska, Missouri and California.

In Alaska, the current minimum wage is $11.73 per hour. If voters pass the measure, the minimum would gradually go up, first to $13 per hour by 2025, then to $14 in 2026 and $15 an hour by 2027. More than 30,000 Alaskans would be affected.

The president of the Alaska AFL-CIO says a higher wage will allow parents to better afford basic necessities for their families, such as health care and groceries. However, the Alaska Chamber opposes it. The organization believes the increased cost will be devastating for small businesses.

In Missouri, the minimum wage is currently $12.30 an hour. It would go up to $13.75 in January of 2025 and eventually hit $15 an hour in 2026. The group, Missourians for Health Families, says a full-time worker, who currently earns minimum wage, takes home less than $500 per week.

In California, the measure on the ballot would boost the minimum wage from $16 to $18 per hour. The time frame for implementing that increase would depend on the size of the company. Certain small businesses would have until 2026 to pay their workers more. Bigger companies would have to increase wages later this year.

In addition, residents in Massachusetts and Arizona will vote this November on wages for employees who receive tips, such as at restaurants.
Paid sick leave on the ballot in several states in November

October 18, 2024
Voters in Missouri, Nebraska and Alaska, will go to the polls in November and vote whether to mandate paid sick leave for workers. The issue initially gained steam during the COVID pandemic. Right now, employees who are part-time or lower-wage workers are less likely to have such coverage.

Without sick leave, some workers feel they have to make a tough choice at times, between their financial well-being and their physical health. More specifically, they opt to go into work when sick, because they don’t want to lose money.

If paid sick leave passes, workers would be compensated based on how much time they have accrued and their jobs would be held for them when they are “out sick” or caring for a family member. Each state would have different policies.

In the Missouri case, businesses would be required to provide one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. The maximum leave would be five days a year for employees of small businesses and seven days a year for larger companies.

Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., currently mandate paid sick leave. In addition, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 requires most employers to provide unpaid leave for certain situations, such as after the birth of a child or a long-term illness.

Opponents, including some business groups and chambers of commerce, have said paid sick leave constitutes a mandate and government overreach. They said that it should be up to individual business owners to decide whether to provide such a benefit to workers.
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Missouri newspaper releases scathing Josh Hawley editorial, endorses rival

October 14, 2024
Missouri’s largest newspaper recently published a critical staff editorial, endorsing the opponent of incumbent Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch called Hawley “quite possibly the worst sitting senator in America right now.”

The Post-Dispatch published its endorsement for Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The piece criticized Hawley for what it said was his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol when Donald Trump supporters stormed the building in an attempt to stop the election from being certified.

The editorial mentioned a lot of people are to blame, but that Hawley stood out after becoming the first senator to challenge the 2020 election results ahead of the riot. He continued to object when Congress reconvened after the riot.

The newspaper also pointed to the moment Hawley raised his fist in solidarity with the rioters. Hours later, he was caught on security cameras running from the rioters through the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

The newspaper’s editorial board said, “Hawley’s role in Jan. 6 would, in itself, merit expulsion from the Senate by Missouri voters.”

It went on to criticize Hawley’s record in the Senate, citing a lack of accomplishments and his opposition to U.S. aid to Ukraine. Kunce is a 13-year Marine veteran. He and Hawley faced off in a Senate debate with two other candidates in September.

Straight Arrow News reached out to Sen. Hawley’s team for a response to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial, but have not yet received a response.
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Biden student loan forgiveness plan gets a win in federal court

October 3, 2024
President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan can move forward after a federal judge allowed a temporary restraining order to expire. This, however, does not mean the Biden administration won the case, which will continue working its way through the federal court system.

The lawsuit was filed by seven Republican states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, North Dakota and Ohio. They argued Biden’s new plan to forgive student debt is illegal.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, a federal judge removed Georgia from the case and moved it to Missouri. According to Reuters, the judge determined Georgia lacked legal standing to sue. The state said it could potentially lose tax revenue but the judge said that would be incidental.

The judge ruled Missouri does have standing to sue because it operates a nonprofit student loan servicer, called MOHELA, which could potentially lose millions of dollars if the Biden plan is ultimately approved.

“The fact remains that this lawsuit reflects an ongoing effort by Republican elected officials who want to prevent millions of their own constituents from getting breathing room on their student loans,” a Department of Education spokesperson told NBC News.

This loan forgiveness was announced after the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s original plan to forgive approximately $400 billion in loans for as many as 43 million Americans back in June 2023.

This debt relief effort would cancel up to $20,000 for borrowers whose balances are greater than the original total, something that happens on income driven plans when interest builds.

It would also provide debt cancellation for undergraduate borrowers who entered repayment before July 2005 or graduate borrowers who entered repayment before July 2000.

There are multiple other ways to get relief under the plan. The Department of Education is still working to finalize who will qualify.
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US to reach death penalty milestone even with declining support

September 26, 2024

The United States is set to reach a new milestone for executions. Three inmates were put to death in South Carolina, Missouri and Texas since Friday, Sept. 20. Two more are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, in Alabama and Oklahoma.

According to a report by Newsweek, if those final two go forward, the U.S. will have reached 1,600 executions since the death penalty was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976.

Gallup data shows support for the death penalty has been falling over the last two decades. The latest poll revealed 53% of Americans support the death penalty now. That’s down from 80% in 1994.

The executive director for The Death Penalty Information Center told Newsweek, “It (the data) shows a clear disconnect between the agendas of the elected officials and the reality that Americans are turning away from the death penalty.”

Advocates argue the death penalty for those convicted of murder can bring closure for the victims’ families.

29 states, Washington, D.C., and the federal government have either abolished the death penalty or paused executions.

Currently, most executions are carried out in the southern states.
Missouri execution of man convicted of 1998 murder to proceed

September 24, 2024
An execution of a man found guilty of a 1998 murder is set to proceed Tuesday evening, Sept. 24, in Missouri, after the state’s supreme court and governor rejected requests to cancel the scheduled lethal injection. A jury convicted Marcellus Williams of the stabbing death of Lisha Gayle, a social worker and former newspaper reporter, inside her suburban St. Louis home.

Williams has asserted his innocence.

His lawyers argued the state supreme court should halt the proceedings due to alleged procedural errors in jury selection and alleged mishandling of the murder weapon by the prosecution. The court rejected those arguments Monday, Sept. 23.

https://twitter.com/innocence/status/1838218327417671980

Missouri Governor Mike Parson also rejected a clemency request to switch the sentence to life in prison. Williams’ lawyers still have an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.

As of now, though, the execution — which would be the third in the state this year — is set for 6 p.m. CT Tuesday.
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Biden to address UN assembly for last time as president

September 24, 2024
Joe Biden is set to address the United Nations General Assembly for the final time as U.S. president. And with a heavy focus on Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump is reportedly returning to the town of his first assassination attempt. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.

Biden to address UN assembly for last time as president

President Joe Biden is in New York for his final United Nations General Assembly appearance while in office. In his address to the assembly Tuesday, Sept. 24, Biden’s expected to once again call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war and reiterate American support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, as well as call for an end to the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

The Pentagon announced Monday, Sept. 23, it’s sending additional U.S. troops to the Middle East to supplement the roughly 40,000 already in the region as tensions continue to rise there — especially between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Associated Press has reported Biden administration officials will also be speaking to their counterparts on the sidelines of the U.N. about ways to prevent the fighting there from escalating further.

The president is set to deliver his speech around 9 a.m. ET Tuesday. He is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later in the week.

Zelenskyy is also expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump while he’s visiting the U.S.

Trump, Harris focus on crucial swing state Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has long been considered a swing state when it comes to presidential elections and this year, the candidates know the importance of winning there. During a rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania Monday, former President Trump told supporters, “If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing. It’s very simple.”

His visit was just the latest in a handful of visits to the crucial state in recent weeks as he looks to secure a second presidential term.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1838404588321362337

Also on Monday, sources close to the Trump campaign told media outlets he will return to Butler, Pennsylvania on Oct. 5. Butler is where a sniper fired and grazed his ear with a bullet, in the first assassination attempt on his life in July.

Since then, the Secret Service put in place tighter security protocols for candidates at rallies.

Vice President Kamala Harris is also pushing to win the Pennsylvania vote. She’ll be there again Wednesday, Sept. 25, for a campaign event in Pittsburgh. She’s also made many stops in the swing state since taking up the Democratic nomination.

In the 2020 election, Pennsylvania went to Joe Biden, a key state in helping him win the presidency. There are 19 votes at stake in the Keystone State.

Israeli strike kills nearly 500 in Lebanon in deadliest day since 2006

Nearly 500 people were killed Monday in Lebanon in the deadliest strike by Israel in nearly two decades. Lebanese authorities said Israeli warplanes struck civilian areas in the southern part of the country.

Earlier in the day, Israel had told civilians to move away from the areas, which it says are commonly used by Hezbollah for military purposes.

https://twitter.com/WarNewsNow55/status/1838499300491334022

This comes after almost a year of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza along Israel’s southern border. Israel is now shifting its focus to the north, where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.

Tuesday morning, Israel’s military said it struck “dozens” of additional targets in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired rockets into northern Israel late Monday night.

The fighting has heightened fears of a widening war in the region.

Missouri set to execute man convicted of 1998 murder

An execution of a man found guilty of a 1998 murder is set to proceed Tuesday evening in Missouri, after the state’s supreme court and governor rejected requests to cancel the scheduled lethal injection.

A jury convicted Marcellus Williams of the stabbing death of Lisha Gayle, a social worker and former newspaper reporter, inside her suburban St. Louis home. Williams has asserted his innocence.

His lawyers argued the state supreme court should halt the proceedings due to alleged procedural errors in jury selection and alleged mishandling of the murder weapon by the prosecution. The court rejected those arguments.

https://twitter.com/innocence/status/1838218327417671980

Missouri Governor Mike Parson also rejected a clemency request to switch the sentence to life in prison. Williams’ lawyers still have an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.

As of now, though, the execution — which would be the third in the state this year — is set for 6 p.m. CST Tuesday.

Hurricane John makes landfall in Mexico as Category 3 storm

Hurricane John made landfall in Mexico late Monday as a Category 3 storm. It brought 120 miles per hour winds to Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Local officials told residents to protect themselves as the storm could bring “extraordinary” rainfall to the area, in excess of 10 inches. The Hurricane Center warned John could have the potential for life-threatening storm surges and flash flooding before weakening as it moves further inland.

Meanwhile, residents in Florida’s big bend are bracing for the impact of storms that are likely to hit by Thursday afternoon, Sept. 26.

Levi’s teases a potential partnership with Beyoncé

It appears music superstar Beyoncé has a new collaboration coming out. This one would not be with another singer, but with a jeans company.

Levi’s teased what appears to be a partnership with Beyoncé in an Instagram post on Monday. The company shared an image of a woman wearing a cowboy hat and riding a horse with the caption reading “Introducing a new chapter,” seemingly referencing Beyoncé’s latest album “Cowboy Carter,” which features a song called “Levi’s Jeans.” Levi’s also tagged her Instagram account in the post.

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A post shared by Levi's (@levis)

The potential pairing bumped up Levi’s shares for the day.

You could say denim is having a moment lately, with fashion brands like American Eagle and Abercrombie saying the trend is growing in popularity and revitalizing sales.
Related Stories

Othel Moore’s family releases video showing his death in a Missouri prison

Person of interest detained in Fort Leonard Wood soldier’s murder

Voters to decide whether to increase minimum wage in several states

Paid sick leave on the ballot in several states in November

Missouri newspaper releases scathing Josh Hawley editorial, endorses rival

Biden student loan forgiveness plan gets a win in federal court

US to reach death penalty milestone even with declining support

Missouri execution of man convicted of 1998 murder to proceed

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Harris, Trump look to win the West with 4 days until Election Day

Othel Moore’s family releases video showing his death in a Missouri prison

Person of interest detained in Fort Leonard Wood soldier’s murder

Voters to decide whether to increase minimum wage in several states

Paid sick leave on the ballot in several states in November

Missouri newspaper releases scathing Josh Hawley editorial, endorses rival

Biden student loan forgiveness plan gets a win in federal court

US to reach death penalty milestone even with declining support

Missouri execution of man convicted of 1998 murder to proceed

Biden to address UN assembly for last time as president