FCC commissioner: ‘Special shortcut’ allowed Soros to buy 200 radio stations
The Federal Communications Commission has approved a controversial deal that grants control of over 200 radio stations to a nonprofit funded by Democratic megadonor George Soros. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans in Congress, who argue it aims to influence the upcoming election. The House Oversight Committee is investigating the FCC’s handling of the approval process.
Audacy, a company currently in bankruptcy, holds radio station licenses from around the country in 40 media markets, reaching more than 165 million Americans.
The Soros-backed nonprofit, called the Fund for Policy Reform, will now acquire those stations, some of which are home to major conservative talk shows, including those hosted by Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin.
He questioned the motives behind the unique approval process, stating, “We have established over a number of years one way to get approval from the FCC when you have more than 25% foreign ownership, which this transaction does. It’s very much out of the ordinary; we’ll be creating a special shortcut just for this one entity backed ultimately by this George Soros group.”
In its letter to the FCC chairwoman, the House Oversight Committee sought answers, asserting, “By all appearances, the FCC majority isn’t just expediting, but is bypassing an established process to do a favor for George Soros and facilitate his influence over hundreds of radio stations before the November election.”
In response, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel defended the FCC’s decision, stating that the agency followed the same process in other recent bankruptcy-related cases. She characterized the criticism as “cynical and wrong.”
Georgia school shooting suspect was questioned over online threats: FBI
We have new details about the suspect and the victims in the deadly shooting at a Georgia high school. And Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft is set to begin its trip back to Earth without its crew. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.
FBI: Suspect in Georgia school shooting was questioned over online threats
Authorities have released more details about the shooter who opened fire in a Georgia high school on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Two teachers and two students were killed, and nine others were wounded.
Just before 10:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, gunfire was reported at Apalachee High School in a small town about 45 miles from Atlanta. A sheriff’s deputy working as a school resource officer engaged with the shooter, who has been identified as Colt Gray, and the teen immediately surrendered.
Officials said Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult.
The victims were two 14-year-old students, a 53-year-old math teacher, and a second math teacher, a 39-year-old who also coached as the defensive coordinator for the school’s football team, according to the school’s website.
The school will remain closed for the remainder of the week and crisis counselors are on school campus as students grapple with the tragedy they have now experienced.
“I was listening, and you can hear gunshots just ringing out through the school and you’re just wondering which one of those is going to be somebody that you’re best friends with or somebody that you love,” said Landon Culver, a junior at the school. “You hear about this kind of stuff and you never think it’s going to happen to you until it’s happening. And then once you’re in that, it’s like this really happened. It’s like a surreal experience.”
Authorities said Gray, then 13, was a possible suspect in connection with threats made online last year using photos of guns and threatening to shoot up a school. They said he denied making the threats and there was no probable cause to arrest him, however, local schools were told to “continue monitoring the suspect.”
Gray’s father was also interviewed a year ago over the online threats. Investigators said his father told them he had hunting guns inside the home, but his son did not have unsupervised access to them.
Trump holds town hall in PA; Harris talks economy in NH
During the interview, Trump highlighted Harris’ stance on fracking, saying in 2019 she would ban it if elected but she would not ban it now.
Trump was in Pennsylvania and kept much of the focus on the battleground state. Hannity asked Trump how the 2024 election differs from the election he won in 2016.
“It’s not that different,” Trump said. “It’s still about the forgotten man and forgotten woman. People are being treated horribly in the country. We’re a country that’s being laughed at all over the world. It’s very simple and it starts with make America great again, that’s what we have to do.”
Meanwhile, Harris was in New Hampshire discussing more of her tax plan if elected in November.
“My plan will make our tax code more fair while also prioritizing investment and innovation,” Harris said. “So let us be clear: billionaires and big corporations must pay their fair share in taxes.”
Harris is proposing an increase to the long-term capital gains tax rate but not as high as what was in President Joe Biden’s reelection agenda. Harris said she wants to raise the tax rate to 28% from its current 20% rate. Biden had called for a 39.6% tax rate.
Trump is looking to cut the corporate tax rate to 15% if elected for a second term.
Trump, Harris agree on rules for debate
There’s less than a week now until the first debate between Trump and Harris and they’ve now agreed on the rules. The debate, hosted by ABC, will be moderated by World News Tonight anchor David Muir and ABC News anchor Linsey Davis.
Trump won a virtual coin flip held on Tuesday, Sept. 4, and chose to make the last closing statement. They’ll get two minutes each.
Each candidate will also get two minutes to answer each question with a two-minute rebuttal and one additional minute for a follow-up, clarification, or response.
Because Trump got to choose the closing statement order, Harris chose the podium placement. She’ll be at the right podium on the screen.
CPSC wants to investigate Shein and Temu kids’ products
They want the commission to investigate how the websites comply with U.S. safety laws, citing “recent media reports” that dangerous products meant for kids are easy to find on both sites.
This is just the latest probe into the companies, both of which have been under scrutiny for how they’re able to sell things for such low prices and how much environmental waste they create, as well as concerns over the potential use of forced labor.
Boeing’s Starliner to return to Earth empty on Friday
The return will mark the final phase of a test flight that did not go as planned.
Starliner’s first crewed trip to space was supposed to prove Boeing could reliably bring astronauts to and from the International Space Station so NASA could certify it to do so.
But issues that popped up just after launch have left astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stuck on the space station since June. Their mission was only supposed to last about a week.
The game will start a weekend of football action, including the first NFL game to be played in Brazil when the Philadelphia Eagles meet the Green Bay Packers Friday night. That game will be a streaming exclusive available only on Peacock.
Then the first Sunday of the NFL calendar, Sept. 8, will see 13 games played, with another first: Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin will be starting during the team’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. This will be Hamlin’s first start since suffering a cardiac arrest on the field in January 2023.
US charges 6 Hamas leaders with terrorism over Oct. 7 attack
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced terrorism charges against senior leaders of Hamas. And with the kickoff to a new NFL season a day away, betting on the games is expected to break records. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.
US charges 6 Hamas leaders with terrorism over Oct. 7 attack
The Department of Justice has announced charges against six senior Hamas officials for killing at least 43 Americans since the terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, in Israel. Nearly a year later, there are mass protests taking place in the streets of Israel after six more bodies of hostages were recovered.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the federal charges unsealed Tuesday, Sept. 3, won’t be the last efforts by the DOJ to hold Hamas accountable for its heinous crimes.
Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas pic.twitter.com/z8gS2lUGvV
“On Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists murdered nearly 1,200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians,” Garland said. “They perpetrated the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations. These actions will not be our last.”
The recovery of the bodies of Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages in Gaza sparked a massive round of protests in Israel. Thousands of people are calling for more action to be taken to see the release of the remaining hostages.
The charges filed against six Hamas leaders include conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder U.S. Nationals, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction.
However, of the six Hamas officials charged, three of them are already dead. The other three have not yet been captured.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine to hold onto Russian territories ‘indefinitely’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv will be holding on to the Russian territories it seized last month indefinitely as its war with Russia stretches on. It’s part of a plan to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Almost a month ago, Ukrainian troops took over Russia’s Kursk region in an unexpected operation. Ukraine now claims it controls nearly 500 square miles of Russian territory and has taken hundreds of Russian prisoners of war.
In an interview with NBC News, Zelenskyy would not discuss whether Ukraine planned to try to seize more Russian territory.
The interview aired hours before Ukraine’s foreign minister resigned Wednesday, Sept. 4, as a Ukraine parliament deputy warned it would be the “day of resignations,” with more than half of Zelenskyy’s cabinet members expected to be replaced.
Harris to announce economic plans, Trump to hold town hall
There are now less than nine weeks until Election Day and both presidential candidates will be on the road today.
The Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, is set to give a speech in New Hampshire, unveiling plans for new benefits for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Those plans are set to include a tax deduction of up to $50,000 for starting a small business; ten times the $5,000 amount currently granted to small businesses in their first year.
She is also set to announce a goal of 25 million small business applications during her first term if she’s elected president. That would surpass the 19 million new small businesses under the Biden administration.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump will be holding a town hall in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
He’ll take questions during the event at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg hosted by Fox News’ Sean Hannity. The town hall will air Wednesday night on the network.
Both vice presidential candidates are also holding events Wednesday. Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is set to be in Pennsylvania and Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance in Arizona.
Federal judge won’t intervene in Trump’s New York criminal case
A federal judge has rejected former President Trump’s request to intervene in his New York criminal case. Trump’s lawyers were hoping to move the case to federal court so they could try to have his conviction overturned in the wake of the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling.
The lawsuit brought by six Republican states and led by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey alleges they have documents proving the Biden administration plans to begin canceling loans this week, even though a cancellation plan technically does not exist yet.
Usually, states cannot file to block federal regulation until it’s officially in place, but in this case, the states say they have proof the secretary of education is implementing the plan without one officially being in place.
The lawsuit claims the administration has been planning this move since May. The Education Department has not commented on the pending litigation.
$35 billion expected to be bet on NFL this season
The NFL’s 2024 season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 5, and the American Gaming Association predicts Americans are about to dish out the big bucks betting on games. They say $35 billion will be placed in legal wagers this season.
If the association is right, that would be a roughly 30% increase from the amount bet on the NFL in the 2023 season.
Last season there was nearly $27 billion spent on legally betting on NFL games. Since then, even more states have passed laws to allow for legal betting markets, including North Carolina, Maine, and Vermont.
Betting is now legal in 38 states and Washington D.C.
The American Gaming Association said more bets are placed and more money is wagered on the NFL than any other league.
Former President Donald Trump is getting back on the campaign trail Tuesday, July 9, with a rally in Florida as the deadline to announce his pick for vice president nears. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity Monday night, Trump did confirm Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are under consideration.
But as to when we’ll find out who the official pick is, it seems even the former president isn’t quite sure.
“I think probably within the next week, week and a half, probably sometime — I’d love to do it during the convention,” Trump told Hannity. “My people say that’s a little complicated. You know, in the old days, they would announce the vice president during the convention. Today, with modern day technology you can’t do things that you could’ve done 50 years ago very easily. But probably a little before the convention but not much. It could even be during the convention that we’ll do it. I’d love to do it during the convention. I think it would be a very interesting build up and important for the convention and would make it even more exciting.”
The Republican National Convention kicks off next Monday, July 15, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Biden’s physician responds to reports on Parkinson’s expert visits
President Joe Biden’s physician releases a letter as questions surround a Parkinson’s expert’s repeated visits to the White House. And former President Donald Trump’s deadline to pick a vice president nears with the Republican National Convention just days away. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Biden’s physician responds to reports on Parkinson’s disease expert visits
Ever since President Joe Biden’s self-described “bad night” at the presidential debate, he and his team have had to field questions about his health. That was no different on Monday, July 8, when the concerns centered on a Parkinson’s disease expert who had recently visited the White House on several occasions.
According to public visitor logs, Dr. Kevin Cannard — a neurologist and “movement disorders specialist” from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — visited the White House eight times in the eight-month span between July 2023 and March 2024, including a visit with the president’s personal physician.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked repeatedly about the visits during Monday’s press briefing. Jean-Pierre said Biden has seen a neurologist three times as part of annual physicals but would not confirm much else, saying the White House medical unit serves multiple personnel along with the president.
“I can tell you this — just going back to Parkinson’s for a little bit, so, to give you some answers here: Has the president been treated for Parkinson’s? No. Is he being treated for Parkinson’s? No, he’s not,” Jean-Pierre told reporters. “Is he taking medication for Parkinson’s? No. So those are the things that I can give you full-blown answers on but I’m not going to confirm a specialist, any specialist that comes to come comes to the White House, out of privacy.”
Hours later, White House physician Kevin O’Connor released a letter addressing the issue, saying Dr. Cannard was “the neurological specialist that examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals,” including one in February that showed no signs of any neurological disorders. O’Connor also confirmed the president has not seen a neurologist outside of those physicals.
The president himself wrote a letter earlier in the day to Democrats in Congress amid growing calls for him to step aside, saying he is “firmly committed to staying in the race.” He added he “wouldn’t be running again if” he did not “absolutely believe” he was the “best person to beat Donald Trump.”
A defiant Biden joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe shortly after sending the letter, saying it’s the voters who chose him as the Democratic nominee, and he is not concerned about those calling for him to drop out of the race.
“I’m getting so frustrated by the elites — not you guys — the elites in the party, oh, they know so much more,” the president said. “Any of these guys that don’t think I should run, run against me. Announce for president, challenge me at the convention.”
Biden to host NATO summit, will take questions from media
President Biden will look to answer critics’ calls for him to step aside as he welcomes world leaders to Washington, D.C. for the NATO summit that begins Tuesday, July, 9. Leaders from more than 30 NATO countries, as well as partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the European Union and Ukraine, will join the president to mark 75 years of the global alliance.
The summit will focus on supplying additional military and financial aid to Ukraine, including new steps to strengthen its air defenses. During the week, Biden will host an event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and two dozen other leaders. He’ll also take part in his first bilateral meeting with new U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
On Thursday, July 11, the president will hold a press conference where he will take questions from the media.
Trump’s vice president search enters final days
Former President Trump is getting back on the campaign trail with a rally in Florida as the deadline to announce his pick for vice president looms. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity Monday, July 8 night, Trump did confirm Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, R, are under consideration.
But as to when we’ll find out who the official pick is, it seems even the former president isn’t quite sure.
“I think probably within the next week, week and a half, probably sometime — I’d love to do it during the convention,” he told Hannity. “My people say that’s a little complicated. You know, in the old days, they would announce the vice president during the convention. Today, with modern day technology you can’t do things that you could’ve done 50 years ago very easily. But probably a little before the convention but not much. It could even be during the convention that we’ll do it. I’d love to do it during the convention. I think it would be a very interesting build up and important for the convention and would make it even more exciting.”
The Republican National Convention kicks off Monday, July 15, in Milwaukee.
At least 6 dead in Texas after Beryl, millions without power
At least six people have been confirmed dead and millions are without power after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 storm on Monday, July 8. Dozens of people across the state also had to be rescued from flood waters after Beryl dropped up to ten inches of rain in some areas and tornadoes could be spotted across the state.
Officials in Texas said it’ll take “several days” to restore power, but they should be getting a clearer timeline at some point Tuesday.
Since making landfall, Beryl has weakened to a tropical depression. It’s now moving toward Arkansas, but rain from the storm is expected to hit as far north as Detroit by Tuesday night then dump heavy rain in Vermont by Wednesday, July 10.
Jury selection begins in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial
On Monday, a judge ruled jurors will not hear evidence related to his status as a producer on the film, only his role as an actor in the movie.
Baldwin admitted he was holding a prop gun when a live bullet discharged. He’d previously stated that he did not intentionally pull the trigger and that the gun “went off.”
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
Price of Forever stamps to increase starting next week
The price of stamps is going up again. Starting on Sunday, July 14, one Forever stamp will cost 73 cents — up five cents from its current price.
Trump’s dictator remarks create media frenzy, overshadow GOP debate
With four republican presidential hopefuls set to take the debate stage Wednesday, Dec. 6, it is former President Donald Trump already stealing the show. After a town hall hosted by Fox News, remarks the former president made when asked if he will become a dictator have sent the media into a frenzy.
Moderator Sean Hannity had Trump answer to headlines that circulated the news cycle in the week leading up to the townhall. Op-eds in The Washington Post and New York Times hinted at an “inevitable Trump dictatorship” and referred to Trump as “an autocrat in waiting.”
The same sentiment was shared by former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, a vocal critic of Trump, on CBS Sunday Morning.
“He’s told us what he will do,” Cheney said. “It’s very easy to see the steps he will take. One of the things we see happening today is sort of a sleepwalking into a dictatorship.”
Hannity asked Trump whether there was any truth to the claims.
“To be clear, do you in any way have plans whatsoever if reelected to abuse power, break the law, or use the government to go after people,” Hannity asked during the town hall.
“You mean like how they’re using right now?” Trump said. “In the history of our country, what’s happened to us has never happened before.”
Hannity asked again if Trump would ever abuse power if elected president again. Trump answered whether he would ever be a dictator.
“No, no, no, other than day one,” Trump said. “We’re closing the border and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
His response triggered a ripple of reaction throughout mainstream media.
On ABC’s “Good Morning America,” ABC’s Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathon Karl said “Donald Trump was asked a simple and direct question and he wouldn’t rule out abusing power if he gets back to the White House. In fact, he used the word ‘dictator’ describing his plans for day one in office.”
On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” host Joe Scarborough said “there is a sickness, a sickness among fellow Americans regarding authoritarianism. They want it. When he promised he’d be a dictator on day one, he got applause.”
On CNN’s NewsNight, anchor Abby Phillip said Trump’s remarks reminded her of Trump’s remarks before leaving the White House after the 2020 election.
“The last time we saw Trump pull something like this was just before the 2020 election when he was repeatedly asked ‘will you accept the results of the 2020 election’ and he refused to say.”
While the media revels in Trump’s latest comments, there is a debate happening tonight. Four republican candidates are trying to escape the shadow and make up for a 50-point deficit in polls behind Trump.
Whether these candidates will have to answer to Trump’s town hall comments is unknown. However, it is a common theme seen in previous debates, candidates having to answer for their party’s direction in 2024 with Trump largely writing the playbook.
Senate briefing on Ukraine aid becomes heated as Republicans demand border policy change: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 6, 2023
Senate Republicans seeking border changes walk out of a classified briefing on Ukraine aid. And, Panera faces another wrongful death lawsuit over its caffeinated lemonade. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
Republican senators walk out of classified briefing
The briefing was held to allow senators time to ask senior Biden administration officials questions, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Q. Brown Jr.
The talks, however, fell apart, with senators from both parties saying the group of Republicans walked out after wanting answers on border security, while the Democrats were looking to keep the focus on Ukraine, as the White House said the funding would run out by the end of the year.
Republican Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., criticized his Democratic colleagues, saying, “Their lack of preparedness to discuss border security policy…was not just an oversight, but a political decision.”
After leaving the briefing, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., of “hijacking” the meeting and trying to steer the conversation to border negotiations. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said some senators walked out because Democrats were unwilling to discuss the border to get the deal done.
Dems want $106B—GOP wants a closed border. That’s the trade. But clueless Dems want to negotiate the border bill. Not going to happen. Is an open border more important to Dems than Ukraine and Israel?
Sen. Tuberville had been blocking the votes in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion policy, which allows military members time and reimbursement for travel out of state to seek an abortion. The block delayed promotions for hundreds of military personnel, creating a backlog.
Tuberville faced increased pressure to drop his hold from senators on both sides of the aisle, citing the threat to military readiness and national security as some officials were forced to take on multiple roles with promotions stalled.
Tuberville said he still has holds on about a dozen four-star officers. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby expressed the importance of the Senate pushing those confirmations through so they can lead troops in “critical military missions.”
Trump responds to ‘dictator’ reports during Fox News town hall
Hannity: “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?”
Trump: “Except for day one,” Trump said. “I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill.”
Hannity: “That’s not retribution.”
Trump: “I love this guy; he says, ‘You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?’ I said no, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
Former President Trump said during a Fox News town hall that he would not be a dictator "except for Day One" if he is elected president next year. https://t.co/gfTULftZeD
Earlier in the day, President Biden, speaking at a fundraising event outside Boston, told supporters if Trump wasn’t running, he wasn’t sure if he’d be running for re-election. Trump addressed those comments during the town hall, saying someone must have given the president talking points.
As for the fourth GOP primary debate, it will air tonight at 8pm EST on NewsNation.
Panera faces second wrongful death suit over caffeinated lemonade
Panera Bread is facing a second wrongful death suit related to its “Charged Lemonade” as a Florida family says the caffeinated drink led 46-year-old Dennis Brown to go into cardiac arrest as he walked home from the restaurant in early October. The lawsuit claims that the ‘charged lemonade’ was not advertised as an energy drink, and there were no warning labels.
A new lawsuit claiming Panera Bread's "Charged Lemonades" lead to someone's death has raised questions about the amount of caffeine in some popular drinks. Here's what consumers should know about the potential health effects. https://t.co/8TW1vRl0AA
According to the suit, Brown, who avoided energy drinks due to his high blood pressure, had ordered several “Charged Lemonades”‘ in the days leading up to his death. In late October, the company issued warnings about its caffeinated lemonade following a similar lawsuit claiming that a 21-year-old woman died after drinking one of the beverages.
According to Panera’s menu at the time of the first lawsuit, a 30-ounce glass of the “Charged Lemonade” contained 390 milligrams of caffeine, which is 10 milligrams less than the daily amount recommended by the USDA for “healthy adults.”
In a statement to ABC News, Panera said it expressed sympathy for Brown’s family but added following an investigation, it does not believe his death was caused by its “Charged Lemonade” and that, like the first lawsuit, it found it to be “without merit.”
After reaching a tentative deal about a month ago, SAG-AFTRA allowed its approximately 160,000 members to return to work, suspending its strike after 118 days. The agreement provides a 7% increase in minimum rates in the first year of the deal and the first-ever protection against the use of artificial intelligence, where actors must consent to being replicated.
Today we close out one of the most important chapters in recent entertainment industry history. The 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts have officially been ratified by SAG-AFTRA members by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%. (1/8) pic.twitter.com/nYg38AkmGA
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, congratulated SAG-AFTRA on the ratification of the deal, saying in a statement that the industry and the jobs it supports can now “return in full force.”
ChatGPT tops list of most popular Wikipedia articles of 2023
Wikipedia says it received over 84 billion page views over the past 12 months; that’s a lot of online searching! But what were the most popular subjects being looked up?
Wikipedia has the answers. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, it released its list of the most popular articles of the year. The most popular topic was ChatGPT. Wikipedia says the AI chatbot, launched just over a year ago and dominated headlines worldwide, registered over 50 million pages on the English version of its site.
Barbenheimer is happening. People are booking the Barbie-Oppenheimer double feature, according to data from cinema chains https://t.co/9JhIHoa3QI
The second most-read article in 2023 was Wikipedia’s annual list of deaths of notable and public figures, which sees high traffic each year. Entries about the sport of cricket made the list for the first time, taking four spots in the top 25, including number three.
That dynamic Hollywood duo known as Barbenheimer – the films “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” – were popular searches this year, coming in at number five and 13, respectively. And, with a tour, an album, a film, and a new romance, Taylor Swift constantly made headlines throughout 2023. The singer added one more accolade this year, having the 12th most popular entry on Wikipedia.
Senate at odds over $106B security package for Israel, Ukraine and border
Republicans in the Senate are at odds as they review a request from President Biden to pass a $106 billion national security package. Though the package has received bipartisan support, it’s still missing the Senate votes it needs to pass.
$10 billion for humanitarian aid split among Gaza, Israel and Ukraine.
$14 billion towards security on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Roughly $7 billion to U.S. submarines and foreign financing.
In order for the package to clear the Senate filibuster and pass, it needs the support of all Democrats and at least nine Republicans.
In an interview on Fox News, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R, said the addition of border support may help sway some Republicans.
“Most of my members believe we need something credible on the border as well.” McConnell said. “I mean, if we’re going to accept the financial responsibility of helping our allies, we want to do something to help ourselves. So we’ll give this supplemental request a serious look and probably recommend some changes as well.”
However, some Republicans say the package should not be a catch-all deal. Several are in favor of scrapping the package altogether and having each request brought forward individually.
Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, appeared on “The Sean Hannity Show” and gave his opinion.
“Whatever your view, Sean, is on Ukraine, it is a separate country and a separate problem,” Vance said. “I think what the president did was completely disgraceful. If he wants to sell the American people on $60 billion more to Ukraine, he shouldn’t use dead Israeli children to do it. It was disgusting.”
Some Republicans are hesitant about the $10 billion included for humanitarian aid in Israel, Ukraine and Gaza. Senators have raised concern that the money sent to Gaza could end up in the hands of Hamas.
The GOP used the same argument it used against the $6 billion in Iranian assets that the U.S. unfroze as part of a prisoner swap — that money is fungible.
Supporters of the aid package say there are reasonable threats posed by Russia, Iran and China, which is why U.S. support and funding is needed in Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Senators are getting a head start debating the package. The House of Representatives will also have to vote on it for any version of the aid package to pass.
Dominion lawsuit against Fox News suddenly delayed: April 17 rundown
The defamation lawsuit against Fox News has been suddenly delayed by the judge after jury selection and opening remarks were set to begin. And a sweet 16 birthday party at a dance studio in Alabama was the scene of a mass shooting. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Monday, April 17, 2023.
Dominion vs Fox News trial delayed
The trial of Dominion Voting Systems’ $1.6 billion dollar defamation lawsuit against Fox News has been delayed for a day. Dominion is suing the network, claiming Fox News knowingly spread disinformation about the company and its voting machines in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.
Some of Fox News’ most well-known current and former anchors are expected to testify, including Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Lou Dobbs, alongside the network’s chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch.
The trial will kick off more than two years since Dominion first filed its lawsuit. Opening statements were expected to begin Monday, but were abruptly delayed. The judge’s decision to delay the trial didn’t come with an explanation.
The Wall Street Journal, which is owned by Fox’s Murdoch, reported the trial being delayed due to a late push to settle the dispute out of court.
The deadly shooting took place at a dance studio during a girl’s sweet 16 birthday party. Authorities have yet to release details on a suspect or possible motive.
According to witnesses inside the studio, among the victims was the birthday girl’s brother who was shot and killed along with a high school star football player.
Google CEO warns society of AI impact
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says every product of every company will be impacted by the quick development of artificial intelligence. He is warning society to “brace for its impact.”
In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes,” the tech leader said he was “speechless” and felt it was”unsettling,” referring to the human-like capabilities of products like Google’s chatbot Bard and Microsoft’s ChatGPT.
In March, Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and dozens of academics called for an immediate pause to A.I.’s further development until safeguards are in place.
Pichai said laws that provide a guardrail for A.I. advancements are not for a company to decide alone.
Best Buy cuts jobs amid online focus
Best Buy is reportedly laying off hundreds of store workers nationwide as the electronics and appliance retailer looks to lower costs and shift its focus to online sales, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the situation.
The report says more sales for the company are already happening online rather than in-person at their store locations.
Employees who are “consultants” inside the stores, whose job it is to sell computers and smartphones, will have their jobs eliminated. Hundreds of employees are said to be impacted in the latest wave of tech layoffs.
10 years since Boston Marathon bombing
Tens of thousands of athletes will compete in the Boston Marathon Monday. This year’s race marks 10 years since the tragic bombing that killed three people and injured hundreds.
Over the weekend, the city held remembrance ceremonies and laid wreaths at the sites where two pressure-cooker bombs went off. Although local FBI officials say they are not aware of any credible threats to this year’s race, multiple security teams will be on hand today as well as overhead drone surveillance.
Monday’s race will be the 127th running of the marathon.
Man throws $100 bills out window
Throwing money out the window is taking on a very literal meaning in Oregon after a man threw $100 bills out his car window, prompting drivers in both directions of traffic to stop and collect the free pay day.
The driver told police he wanted to give the money to random residents in an effort to give back. But technically, it is considered littering. So the man was told to find another way to deliver cash to random people.
In total, police say $200,000 worth of hundred dollar bills were tossed from the car and onto the highway. The money came from a shared family bank account the man had drained.
Police said they appreciated the community’s efforts in cleaning up the litter, saying no bills were left behind.
Dominion defamation lawsuit against Fox News heads to trial
A jury trial is set to begin April 17 to determine if Fox News defamed Dominion Voting Systems by claiming the company rigged the 2020 elections. In late March, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis denied a judgment on the alleged defamation. However, he did rule that Fox’s claims about Dominion were false, stating, “the evidence developed in this civil proceeding demonstrates that [it] is CRYSTAL clear that none of the Statements relating to Dominion about the 2020 election are true.”
Fox News had maintained its broadcasts were protected by the First Amendment. However, Davis barred the network from using some potential arguments, including “neutral report privilege,” “fair report privilege,” and “opinion privilege.”
This is a setback for Fox News after depositions and text messages exposed executives and hosts knew they were broadcasting false information.
For instance, much of that false information came from Trump attorney Sidney Powell. Powell had sent Fox host Maria Bartiromo an email with her source of the election fraud claims before their interview on Nov. 8. Bartiromo later testified that it was “nonsense” and “inherently unreliable.”
Fox News had tried to get Fox Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdoch excused from traveling to Delaware to testify in court. Davis, citing a letter that claimed it would be an inconvenience, said Murdoch was “hardly infirm.” The judge also pointed out that the 92-year-old was recently engaged and had travel plans to visit his various homes. Attorneys replied, saying Murdoch had already completed seven hours of deposition. Ultimately, Davis ruled that Murdoch could be compelled to testify.
According to Fox, the network’s Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Maria Bartiromo will be available to testify.