Sacramento Kings fire coach Mike Brown in midst of 3rd season
The Sacramento Kings fired head coach Mike Brown on Friday, Dec. 27, just 31 games into his third NBA season with the franchise. Brown was commanding a 13-18 start at the time of his firing.
On Thursday, Dec. 26, the Kings suffered a devastating loss to the Detroit Pistons, their fifth straight loss during their current homestand. But the way they lost may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
The Kings gave up a 10-point lead with three minutes to go, allowing the Pistons to score 40 points in the fourth quarter. Jayden Ivey clinched the game at the buzzer with a four-point play, marking a brutal cap to the losing streak.
When asked what he felt needed to change, star player De’Aaron Fox opted to deflect, saying, “Uh, I don’t know.”
Fox may not have known what needed to change, but the team’s front office did. They fired Brown after Friday morning’s practice.
Before he learned his fate, Brown talked about his team’s struggles during the previous night’s loss.
“I don’t know why our pace wasn’t there and our physicality defensively when we want to go win the game –– instead of asking the refs to help us win the game –– wasn’t there,” Brown said. “I’m disappointed in all those things. Maybe a loss like this helps us, I don’t know, but we need to wake up.”
The dismissal was a surprise given that Brown was the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2023 and had back-to-back winning records in his first two seasons in Sacramento, including a playoff appearance that snapped a 16-year drought.
In June, Brown signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension. Now, he’s out just 31 games into his third season in Sacramento and his fourth head coaching job overall.
Former Kings player Doug Christie has been named the interim head coach. He was an assistant on Brown’s staff. The Kings’ next game is Saturday, Dec. 28, in Los Angeles against LeBron James and the Lakers.
California aims to protect kids with social media warning labels
A new bill introduced Monday, Dec. 9, in California’s Legislature, would, if passed, make it the first state to mandate mental health warning labels on social media sites. Supporters of the proposal say it is needed to protect children’s online safety and stop social media companies from viewing kids as a “commodity.”
Victoria Hinks, who says her 16-year-old daughter died by suicide after she was “led down dark rabbit holes” on social media that glorified eating disorders and promoted self-harm, supports the bill.
However, Big Tech is vowing to fight the measures, with industry officials arguing that the rule violates the First Amendment on the grounds it is “compelled speech.” They contend lawmakers should put their efforts toward online education and mental health resources.
State lawmakers have not given specifics on the bill but say the warnings could pop up once a week.
California’s past efforts to take on Big Tech involved the state suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook, in 2023 and TikTok in October. Both suits accused the companies of creating addictive features that keep children obsessed with their platforms.
Manhunt underway for suspect in fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO
The manhunt continues for the gunman who shot and killed a health care company CEO outside a hotel in New York City. And cryptocurrency Bitcoin hits a milestone. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
Manhunt underway for suspect in fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO
The manhunt for the gunman continues as more details are released about the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he was walked into a Hilton hotel in New York City Wednesday morning, Dec. 4. Family and friends are mourning one of the top executives of the world’s largest health insurer.
“Fifty-year-old Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in what appears at this early stage of our investigation to be a brazen targeted attack,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “This does not appear to be a random act of violence. The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference. It appears a suspect was lying in wait for several minutes and as the victim was walking to the conference hotel the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds.”
The deadly shooting was captured on surveillance video and police released images from the scene. Authorities said the masked gunman walked up behind the CEO and shot him in the back at point-blank range.
At a press conference Wednesday, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described what happened next.
“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot,” he said. “It appears that the gun malfunctions, as he clears the jam and begins to fire again. The shooter then flees on foot northbound into an alleyway between 54th Street and 55th Street.”
These are additional images of the suspect sought in connection to this morning's homicide. If you have any information about this incident, the suspect, or his location please contact @NYPDTips at 1(800)577-TIPS. https://t.co/rtfVynljXapic.twitter.com/kUJr7l0nxZ
Police said once the shooter took off from outside the hotel, he got on an electric bike and was last seen riding into Central Park in Manhattan. They also said they recovered a cell phone in the alleyway and are working to see if it is linked to the shooting.
Investigators are speaking to Thompson’s coworkers and family members to see if he received any specific threats leading up to the shooting.
Thompson joined UnitedHealthcare in 2004 and was named CEO in 2021. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, issued a statement, calling Thompson a “highly respected colleague and friend.” It added, “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, also released a statement saying, “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.
“Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.”
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.
2 children critically wounded in shooting at California religious school
In California, two kindergarteners are in “extremely critical condition” after a shooting at a religious K-8 school Wednesday afternoon. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the shooting happened around 1 p.m. local time at Feather River Adventist School near Palermo north of Sacramento.
Authorities said the gunman who had been dropped off at the school by an Uber and just before the shooting, met with the principal about enrolling a student. Investigators are looking into whether that meeting was just a ruse for the man to get on campus.
When deputies got to the scene, they found the shooter dead near the school playground from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police said the gunman had no prior connection to the school or the 5-year-old and 6-year-old boys he shot. Investigators believe he might have targeted the Seventh-day Adventist school because of its church affiliation.
“Whether or not this is a hate crime or whether or not it’s part of some sort of larger scheme,” Honea said at a press briefing Wednesday night. “At this point I don’t have enough information to provide an answer to that.”
Authorities believe they have figured out who the shooter is, but they’re not releasing information about his identity as of yet.
DOJ says Memphis police ‘regularly’ violate Black people’s rights
The Justice Department said the Memphis Police Department “regularly violates” Black people’s rights. The DOJ released its findings Wednesday from an investigation into the police department following the death of Tyre Nichols after a traffic stop in 2023.
The civil rights investigation started six months after Nichols was kicked, punched and hit with a police baton as five officers tried to arrest him, ultimately leading to his death. The federal investigation concluded Memphis police used excessive force, and conducted illegal stops, searches and arrests, as well as unlawfully discriminated against Black people.
The DOJ said the City of Memphis and the MPD cooperated fully with its investigation, however, the City of Memphis said in a letter Wednesday it would reject a preliminary agreement on a legally binding consent decree for federal oversight of its police department.
In the letter, the city’s attorney said, “The investigation and unreleased findings only took 17 months to complete, compared to an average of 2-3 years in almost every other instance, implying a rush to judgment.” She added city officials first need the chance to “review, analyze and challenge the allegations.”
21 people, including 5 children, killed in Israeli strike on Gaza tent camp
At least 21 people are dead after an Israeli strike on a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza Wednesday, according to the director of a hospital in the nearby city Khan Younis.
The Israeli military claimed it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the Muwasi area and took precautions to minimize harm to civilians.
A spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense agency said five children were killed in the strike, which they claim was one of several deadly strikes across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
Price of Bitcoin rises to $100,000 for the first time
Bitcoin prices are booming. The price of a single Bitcoin surged Wednesday to more than $100,000, marking the first time the 16-year-old cryptocurrency hit six figures.
Bitcoin’s milestone came just hours after President-elect Donald Trump announced Paul Atkins as his pick to be the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins was an SEC commissioner during George W. Bush’s presidency and is known to be a strong supporter of cryptocurrencies.
Michael McDermott, the son of the chain’s co-founder, struck a deal with Hormel Foods, which owns the Chi-Chi’s trademark. Chi-Chi’s closed its last restaurant in 2004 following a hepatitis A outbreak that was linked to four deaths and sickened more than 600 people.
McDermott said there is an opportunity to bring back the brand in a way that resonates with today’s consumers, but specifics on menu items and locations have not yet been revealed.
At least 3 dead as Helene barrels through southeastern US
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida overnight as a major Category 4 storm, leaving at least 3 people dead and leading to massive power outages. And the Oakland A’s have played their final home game after 57 years. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
At least 3 dead as Helene barrels through southeastern U.S.
The storm brought the anticipated life-threatening storm surge, strong winds and heavy rains. Meteorologists say just because the storm has weakened significantly, does not make it less dangerous.
Authorities in Pasco County, Florida rescued people trapped by heavy flooding. One person was killed on Interstate 4 near Tampa when a sign fell on their car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Authorities in Wheeler County, Georgia said two people were killed when an apparent tornado overturned a mobile home. Two others died in Laurens County, according to emergency officials.
As of early Friday morning, more than one million people in Florida were without power, as were hundreds of thousands more in Georgia. Power outages linked to Helene have also been reported in South Carolina and North Carolina.
The National Hurricane Center said tropical storm conditions will be felt throughout the southeast throughout Friday, with strong, damaging winds likely to “penetrate as far inland as the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.”
Trump says he will meet with Zelenskyy to hear ‘victory plan’
The decision comes after there was some doubt whether the meeting between the two would occur — after both Trump and Zelenskyy have been critical of each other.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian president met with both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris separately to discuss his plan to defeat Russia. Biden pledged to send billions of dollars more in missiles, drones, weapons, and supplies.
Meanwhile, Harris told Zelenskyy recent calls for Ukraine to give over some of its land to Russia are “dangerous and unacceptable,” referring to recent suggestions by Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Both have suggested Ukraine should cut a deal quickly to end the war that’s been going on for almost three years now.
Trump has stated that if he wins the November election, he will end the Russia-Ukraine war even before he takes office.
Zelenskyy also met with members of Congress Thursday in an effort to shore up American support for the ongoing war.
DOJ expected to announce charges in alleged Iranian hack of Trump campaign
Investigators said Iran gained access to Trump campaign emails and sent files to various media outlets and the Biden-Harris campaign this summer, before President Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Harris took over as the Democratic nominee.
Reports said multiple Iranian hackers will be charged. Sources told ABC News the Trump campaign has been informed of the charges.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams to appear in federal court
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to make an appearance in federal court Friday. He will be arraigned on charges including bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national.
It marked the second time this year the state has employed this controversial method.
Miller was sentenced to death in 2000 for a 1999 shooting that killed three men he had worked with, after he accused them of spreading rumors about him.
The Alabama Department of Corrections said the procedure involved Miller being fitted with a mask and nitrogen gas flowing into his system for about 15 minutes.
According to the Associated Press, Miller’s final words were, “I didn’t do anything to be here.”
The game had plenty of emotion as well as some interruptions. Somebody threw a smoke bomb onto the field at one point, and a fan ran onto the field and made a dash for it, as well.
In the end, A’s fans soaked up all the memories, staying well past the final out.
The team will now relocate to Sacramento for the next three seasons before moving to their new permanent home in Las Vegas in 2028.
Arson attacks disrupt train travel ahead of Paris Olympics opening ceremony
With just hours to go before the Olympics opening ceremony, arson attacks disrupted traffic on France’s high-speed train lines. And following a Supreme Court ruling banning sleeping in public spaces, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to remove homeless encampments. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, July 26, 2024.
Arson attacks disrupt train travel ahead of Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Authorities are investigating what’s being called “a malicious attack” on France’s high-speed rail network. According to authorities, arsonists set a series of coordinated fires to disrupt travel just ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
It’s already causing delays and is expected to “severely impact” commuters until at least the end of Sunday, July 28. The railway operator said the fires were deliberately set to damage its installations.
This incident is likely to add some apprehension ahead of the much-anticipated Paris Olympic Games.
France has beefed up its security surrounding the world event in unprecedented levels. There will be more than 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 security agents deployed, as well as several snipers and drones keeping watch from above as the games officially get underway.
Officials: Man pushing burning car into gully started California wildfire
Wildfires are raging in the west and the impact of the wildfire smoke is being felt as far as the East Coast. It’s California’s largest wildfire of the year, dubbed “The Park Fire,” burning north of Sacramento near the city Chico.
Authorities said they know how it started and have a suspect in custody. They said 48-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II of Chico, California, pushed a burning car into a dry gully just before 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, July 24. He has been arrested on suspicion of arson.
The Park Fire is larger than the size of the city of Atlanta and is only 3% contained.
It’s also not the only fire consuming the time and energy of firefighters and officials. Hundreds of wildfires are spreading throughout California, Oregon and Canada, forcing thousands of evacuations.
In Oregon, fires have been ablaze for days, burning nearly 1 million acres.
The impact of wildfire smoke across the nation is expected to worsen throughout the weekend.
California governor issues executive order to remove homeless encampments
The order offers guidance on how to remove the encampments in a humane way. It also makes it clear the decision to remove encampments is up to individual cities.
California has the largest unhoused population in the country, with more than 180,000 people experiencing homelessness.
U.S. arrests Mexican drug cartel leaders “El Mayo” and “El Chapo’s” son
U.S. authorities said they’ve arrested a Mexican drug kingpin who’s evaded capture for decades. Federal agents lured Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada across the border into Texas, where they took him into custody.
“El Mayo” is described as the leader of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, which authorities said has been flooding the U.S. with deadly fentanyl.
Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of the cartel’s infamous co-founder and former boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, was also arrested. “El Chapo” is currently serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized with COVID-19 and double pneumonia
Former Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein — who’s been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of rape — has been hospitalized. His representative said Weinstein is facing a “myriad of health conditions,” including COVID-19 and double pneumonia.
The 72 year old is currently awaiting retrial in Manhattan on sex crime charges after his conviction was overturned on appeal in April. He is tentatively set to be retried in November.
His rape sentence comes out of a conviction in Los Angeles, but he’s being held in a New York prison while waiting for retrial.
Ohio court rules ‘boneless’ chicken wings can have bones
According to the Ohio State Supreme court, customers who order boneless wings should not expect them to be boneless. The ruling stems from a case brought on by a man who said he developed medical problems after a tiny bone fragment became lodged in his throat after he ate boneless wings at a restaurant in 2016.
He sued the restaurant for negligence and breach of warranty. However, the Ohio justices ruled that the term “boneless wings” actually refers to the cooking style and said in its ruling that it’s “common knowledge that chickens have bones.”
American canoeist Casey Eichfeld looks for gold at historic 4th Olympics
This is the fifth installment in our weeklong series taking a closer look at Team USA members and their sports as the Paris Olympics get underway.
Casey Eichfeld is many things: a husband, father, Olympian and a self-described Disney fanatic.
“We got married at Disney World in Epcot,” he told Straight Arrow News, confirming he and his wife’s Disney devotion.
Straight Arrow News asked him to explain the rules of the sport. He gave a concise explanation:
“Canoe slalom is a series of gates hanging over a whitewater river. Athletes have to navigate those gates and there will be 18 to 25 of them. Fastest time wins. If we touch a gate we incur a 2-second penalty. If we miss a gate, go through it upside down or the wrong direction, we get a 50-second penalty. And that’s really about it.”
But that’s far from it when we’re talking about Eichfeld who will be making history in his sport for most Olympic appearances. He was, in a way, born for canoeing.
“My parents had a boat waiting for me before I was born so I don’t know if I was really given that much choice,” Eichfeld said with a laugh.
So once he started he said everything clicked — a perfect fit like Cinderella’s glass slipper — and he fell in love with the sport.
In 2008, he qualified for his first Olympics in Beijing at 18 years old. It was an experience he called “super surreal,” especially being part of the opening ceremony.
“That’s one of the memories that will stay with me all of my life, particularly my first opening ceremonies,” Eichfeld said. “There’s 550 of us, we’re walking through the tunnel into the bird’s nest and everyone’s chanting ‘USA!’ ‘USA!’ It gives me chills every time I think about it.”
Eichfeld said it’s not just the memories on the water that stick with him. He said he has plenty of other stories to share.
“I have a memory of hanging out at our athlete’s lounge in our village building, chilling out, watching other sports — Michael Phelps walks in,” Eichfeld recalled. “He’s like, ‘Hey are there any Uncrustables left?’ I said, ‘Dude, I got you.’ I took him right to the fridge that had them, had a coffee together, chatted a little bit. “‘It’s cool to see you. I’m not at all starstruck.’”
After placing 7th at the Rio Games in 2016, his highest placement yet, but then not qualifying for Tokyo 2021, Eichfeld contemplated retirement. He was starting a family and wondering if it was time to turn the page on his Olympic quest, but, like Moana, the water called to him.
“I had to make the decision: if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this,” Eichfeld said. “There’s no messing around with this. If I’m going to take the time to be away from my family, as much as I need to be, then I really need to put the effort in and it paid off.”
At 34 years old, Eichfeld is now the veteran among his Team USA crew. He’s already thinking ahead, not just about his Olympics dreams, but the ones coming true at home, too.
“I’m really happy with my decision [to compete], now I get to make that decision again,” Eichfeld said. “We got a home Olympics coming and we have a baby boy coming at the end of October. So big, big year for me.”
“I like to add big things to my Olympic years. In 2016, my wife and I got married in December and this time, we’re having a baby two months after the Olympics. So why not make it a big year, a really memorable year?”
With his family in Paris motivating him, Eichfeld is looking to bring home the gold this time around and then celebrate in style.
“I want to prove that I belong here and even in my advanced age that I can still throw it down,” Eichfeld said. “So I’m fighting for the podium. I want to be up there. And then when I get home I want to go Disney.”
California sets aside $12 million for nation’s largest reparations effort
The state of California announced on Friday, June 28, that it will be allocating $12 million in its next budget to provide compensation to Black residents for racial injustices. Th effort would be the largest government-funded reparations effort of its kind in the country.
The money is a far cry from the billions of dollars that a reparations task force recommended earlier this year. However, considering the state is facing a $50 billion budget shortfall, some advocates said that they were pleased any money got allocated for reparations. Still, some said that while the money is a step in the right direction that “it’s not enough” but added that this is “the first time ever” reparations “will be a line item in a state budget.”
Movements to compensate Black people for the wounds of slavery and segregation in the United States gained new steam following the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands a Minneapolis police officer and the ensuing protests.
The movement has prompted expanded efforts to explore reparations across the United States. For instance, the District of Columbia’s 2025 budget proposal includes $1.5 million to study the feasibility of reparations and to come up with proposals to address the harms of slavery.
However, some efforts to compensate Black people for a history of racism have hit a roadblock. In late May, a conservative advocacy group sued to halt the country’s first ever government-funded reparations program in Evanston, Illinois. The plaintiffs argue that the effort to compensate Black residents through reparations discriminates against other ethnicities. Despite the challenge, around $5 million has already been paid out to 193 Black residents.
In another setback for reparations advocates, the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down a lawsuit seeking reparations for the last two survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
California’s effort to deliver on its reparations promise still face opposition from Republicans as well as some Asian and Latino lawmakers, who argue that it’s unfair to make current residents pay for the wrongs of the past.
The Golden State’s budget still doesn’t outline how the reparations will be paid out to Black residents, but state lawmakers said that it will be worked into reparations-related bills currently circulating in the Legislature.
Israel commits to opening crossing for aid after Biden warning
After President Joe Biden issues a warning on a call with the Israeli Prime Minister, Israel announces plans to increase humanitarian aid. And, you may be out of luck if you’re still looking for that Airbnb for the upcoming eclipse. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, April 5, 2024.
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When pressed for details at the White House briefing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby refrained from speculating on potential policy changes.
“I’m not going to preview any potential policy decisions coming forward,” Kirby stated. “What we want to see are some real changes, on the Israeli side. And, if we don’t see changes from their side, there’ll have to be changes from our side. But I won’t preview what that could look like.”
During their call, Biden labeled the Israeli strike that resulted in the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers and the “overall humanitarian situation” as “unacceptable.” He also demanded an immediate ceasefire and encouraged Netanyahu to expediently negotiate a deal to return hostages.
The White House has expressed its approval of the Israeli government’s new measures, emphasizing that these initiatives “must now be fully and rapidly implemented.”
Loved ones of U.S. citizen killed in Israeli strike speak out
Jacob Flickinger, 33, a U.S.-Canadian dual citizen and father of an 18-month-old son, was among those killed. His mother, speaking to CBS News, described him as an exceptional person deeply committed to his work, having served 11 years in the Canadian Forces. His father revealed they have received no updates about their son’s death beyond what has been reported in the media.
“We haven’t been told anything by the United States government or the Canadian government,” said John Flickinger, Jacob’s father. “All that we know is what we have read and seen on the media.”
Netanyahu has stated the strike was unintentional. However, World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres believes the aid workers were targeted, prompting calls for investigations into the incident.
In an ABC News interview, Jacob Flickinger’s partner and the mother of their son, Sandy Leclerc, appealed to President Joe Biden to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“This situation saddens me so much but at the same time, Jacob was always a warrior, always a fighter and he would always fight to bring more peace into this world,” Leclerc said.
Judges deny Trump’s bids to dismiss election and documents charges
Former President Donald Trump faced two legal defeats Thursday, April 4, as judges in Florida and Georgia dismissed his efforts to drop charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his retention of classified documents post-presidency. Amid his campaign against President Joe Biden for the Nov. 5 election, these are among the legal battles Trump confronts, including four criminal indictments.
The first trial against a former or sitting U.S. president is set for April 15 in New York.
In Florida, Judge Aileen Cannon denied Trump’s claim that classified documents held at Mar-a-Lago were personal, not government property. In Georgia, charges of election interference remain, as Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled statements alleged in the indictment weren’t protected by free speech rights.
Awaiting a Supreme Court hearing on presidential immunity, Trump has delayed three of the four criminal cases. Judge Cannon, whom Trump appointed, suggested the May 20 trial date might be delayed, requesting both parties to propose new potential dates. Trump continues to claim the charges are politically motivated.
In Georgia, McAfee refuted Trump and co-defendants’ argument that their actions were protected political speech, stating the indicted conduct, including making false claims and trying to certify alternate electors, wasn’t covered by constitutional protections. All defendants, including Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, pleaded not guilty.
No Labels unable to find candidate for third-party ticket
The No Labels group announced on Thursday, April 4, that it would not nominate a presidential candidate for the November election, acknowledging the challenge of finding a centrist candidate amidst widespread dissatisfaction with Biden and Trump.
Nancy Jacobson, CEO of No Labels, stated the decision was made due to the lack of candidates with a credible path to the White House. This move leaves the electoral field to Biden, Trump, and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has secured enough signatures to appear on the ballot in five states, including key battlegrounds.
The decision has been met with relief from Democrats concerned that a No Labels candidate could split the vote in Biden’s favor, potentially aiding Trump. Critics, including MoveOn’s executive director Rahna Epting, urge Kennedy to recognize the slim chances of a third-party candidacy succeeding against the threat posed by Trump.
Meanwhile, Kennedy’s campaign attributes their struggle to the entrenched two-party system, asserting their fight against the “corrupt two-party duopoly.”
No Labels had aimed to offer a bipartisan ticket, drawing interest but ultimately failing to secure a high-profile candidate willing to lead its cause. Figures like Nikki Haley, Joe Manchin, Larry Hogan and Chris Christie have all distanced themselves from the No Labels ticket.
The group’s pursuit of a “unity ticket” to appeal to disenchanted voters has been met with skepticism and resistance from both Democratic and Republican circles, leading to the ultimate withdrawal of their presidential bid.
Short-term rentals fully booked in some cities along eclipse’s path
The company has released a map illustrating the surge in demand for short-term rentals in these areas over the past few days. According to AirDNA, short-term rental occupancy rates are around 95% in Dallas, 97% in Cleveland, and 98% in Buffalo and the Niagara Falls area.
Athletics to play in Sacramento before moving to Las Vegas
The mystery of where the Oakland Athletics will play before moving to Las Vegas in 2028 has been solved: Sacramento, California. The A’s announced Thursday, April 4, they will temporarily relocate to Sacramento for at least the next three seasons while their new stadium in Vegas is under construction.
They will share a minor league ballpark with the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The arrangement was facilitated by the owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, who also owns the River Cats.
During their stay in Sacramento, the team will forgo using a city in its name, opting to be known simply as “The Athletics” or “A’s.”
Newsom demands DOJ investigate Florida transport of migrants to California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate the Florida program responsible for transporting migrants to Sacramento. In a July 6 letter, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to open criminal and civil investigations into Florida’s “unauthorized alien transport program” overseen by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
In June, DeSantis took credit for sending 36 migrants from Texas to Sacramento, calling it a “voluntary relocation” program. But according to the Los Angeles Times, some of the migrants sent to California denied claims that their trip was voluntary. They said they were falsely promised jobs, shelter and attorneys.
“It is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations. We urge USDOJ to investigate potential violations of federal law by those involved in this scheme,” Newsom’s letter stated.
Newsom had previously publicly urged the DOJ to investigate DeSantis’ migrant flights, but the letter represents one of the most substantial moves yet by the Democratic governor to press federal officials.
The letter comes one month after two groups of migrants arrived by plane to Sacramento. That sparked multiple California Department of Justice investigations and a veiled threat from Newsom that DeSantis could face kidnapping charges.
This is a story that right-leaning media outlets have largely ignored. It’s considered a media miss on the right due to how imbalanced the coverage is. The Straight Arrow News Media Miss tool highlights the bias distribution of a story.
In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) sent more than 100 migrants to Los Angeles. Abbott was not mentioned in the Democrats’ letter, even though he has bused more than 20,000 people across the country. DeSantis, in comparison, has transported about 100 migrants total to Massachusetts and California.
Texas Gov. Abbott sends 42 migrants on bus to downtown Los Angeles
The latest migrant bus trip arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 14, with dozens of migrants being sent from Texas. Many of the 42 migrants on the bus were from Latin American countries, including Honduras and Venezuela. One person had an immigration appointment in New York.
“Texas’ small border towns remain overwhelmed and overrun by the thousands of people illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico because of President Biden’s refusal to secure the border,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, said in a statement. “Los Angeles is a major city that migrants seek to go to, particularly now that its city leaders approved its self-declared sanctuary city status. Our border communities are on the frontlines of President Biden’s border crisis, and Texas will continue providing this much-needed relief until he steps up to do his job and secure the border.”
After the bus dropped the migrants off in Los Angeles, they were cared for by city agencies and charitable organizations at St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church near downtown. In a statement, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, D, said she had instructed city departments to prepare to accept migrants from out of state after Republican governors began sending asylum-seekers to Democratic states in recent months.
“This did not catch us off guard, nor will it intimidate us. Now, it’s time to execute our plan,” Mayor Bass said in the statement. “Los Angeles is not a city motivated by hate or fear and we absolutely will not be swayed or moved by petty politicians playing with human lives. We are a city that seeks to treat all people with dignity and compassion and we will continue to work closely with non-profit organizations, including the L.A. Welcomes Collective, as well as with our County, State and Federal partners.”