Philly teen accused of terror plot at Pride parade, planned to go to Syria
A Philadelphia teen who was arrested as a minor for allegedly attempting to join a global terrorist group as a bombmaker will be prosecuted as an adult, according to First Assistant District Attorney Robert Listenbee on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Law enforcement also shared new details about the suspected bombmaker, Muhyyee-Ud Din Abdul-Rahman.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said “overwhelming evidence” collected during an investigation that spanned more than a year showed the then-17-year-old “intended to cause a mass casualty event.”
Authorities say Abdul-Rahman allegedly wanted to join an international terror group and claim that he tested detonation devices more than a dozen times in his backyard and in the woods behind it. Police also said he had considered targeting Philadelphia’s Pride parade by placing bombs in trash cans along the route.
Investigators said that they found internet searches on his two phones, where he was scoping out the location of the parade and where trash cans would be located. However, he never pulled off the attack.
The teen was taken into custody in August 2023, and he previously told detectives that he was upset with homosexuality and how it was “pressed upon children” in the United States.
Officials also discovered searches for nuclear power station locations, Army-Navy football games and details about Fort Bragg and the Pentagon as well as 40 other military bases and entities.
Following his arrest, police found a passport, tactical gear, uniforms, radios, knives and other military equipment needed for his intended trip to Syria.
The teen allegedly communicated with KTJ; a global terror group affiliated with al-Qaida. Detectives assert that although he had a college scholarship for wrestling, he would’ve thrown it all away to become a bombmaker for the terrorist organization.
“He was ready to leave his family, his friends, his school, and his wrestling team,” Listenbee said. “He had no intention of going to college in the United States and he knew that if he traveled to Syria that he would never be able to come back to the United States.”
Abdul-Rahman is charged with attempt to commit weapons of mass destruction, criminal conspiracy, arson, causing or risking catastrophe, and related offenses.
More blasts rock Lebanon, a day after mass pager attack wounds thousands
More deadly blasts in Lebanon on Wednesday, Sept. 18, came just a day after exploding pagers targeted members of Hezbollah, injuring nearly 3,000 people and killing at least a dozen more. One explosion on Wednesday was reported at a funeral in eastern Lebanon for three Hezbollah members and a child killed in the pager attack. One person was killed, and more than 100 others were injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Authorities said handheld radios and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah militants exploded this time. The sounds from the blasts could also be heard in the southern suburbs of Beirut and other areas.
The Lebanese military warned citizens to avoid gathering in places where explosions had occurred to make way for emergency crews.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reports at least three people were killed by “unspecified devices” and solar energy systems exploded in homes in several areas injuring at least one girl.
The latest incidents come the United Nations Human Rights chief is now calling for an investigation into Tuesday’s mass pager explosion in Lebanon and Syria. He said on Wednesday, “the fear and terror unleashed is profound” and that targeting thousands of people, whether civilians or militants, without knowledge violates international law.
The U.N. chief did not explicitly mention Israel in his comments. However, Lebanon and Hezbollah blame the country for the intricate remote attack.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Hezbollah is blaming Israel after pagers used by the militant group exploded killing at least nine people and injuring thousands. And former President Donald Trump holds his first campaign event since the second apparent assassination attempt on his life. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Multiple explosions in Lebanon have killed at least nine people and left nearly 3,000 injured. Explosives inside pagers used by the militant group Hezbollah were set off Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 17.
The Iran-backed group blames Israel for the attack. Hezbollah said an 8-year-old was among those killed and Iran’s envoy to Beirut was among the injured.
Sources told Reuters Israel’s Mossad spy agency had planted the explosives inside 5,000 pagers. An American source and other officials confirmed to the New York Times that Israel was behind the operation.
The pagers appeared to be from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. In a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 18, Gold Apollo said they were manufactured by another company based in Budapest that was authorized to use Gold Appollo’s brand.
Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers to bypass Israeli location-tracking following a warning by group leaders earlier this year saying cell phones were more dangerous than Israeli spies.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging strikes shortly after Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Tuesday’s blasts add to the growing concern over a larger war in the Middle East.
Secretary of State of Antony Blinken will be in Egypt Wednesday to work on securing a cease-fire agreement to put an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas and see the release of the hostages who remain in Gaza.
Trump, Harris both use assassination attempt to highlight policy proposals
Former President Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail Tuesday, holding his first event since the second apparent attempt on his life over the weekend. During a town hall in Flint, Michigan Trump told Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders the assassination attempts are proof his policy proposals are powerful.
“It’s a dangerous business however, being president,” Trump said. “It’s a little bit dangerous. It’s, you know, they think racecar driving is dangerous. No. They think bull-riding, that’s pretty scary, right? No, this is a dangerous business and we have to keep it safe.”
He later added, “You know, only consequential presidents get shot at.”
Trump also said both President Joe Biden and, his opponent in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris called him after the assassination attempt, saying it was “very nice” and he appreciated it.
“Not everybody has Secret Service,” Harris said, “and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe. I mean, I look at Project 2025 and I look at the ‘don’t say gay laws’ coming out of Florida. Members of the LGBTQ community don’t feel safe right now. Immigrants or people with an immigrant background don’t feel safe right now. Women don’t feel safe right now.”
Both candidates are focusing on swing areas that could decide the election, which is expected to be a close one.
Trump is set to campaign in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina this week. Harris will also stop in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days.
Speaker Johnson to bring spending bill up for vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to put his short-term spending plan up for a vote Wednesday, though there are signs it will not get the GOP support needed to pass.
Johnson previously pulled a stopgap bill that was coupled with the SAVE Act — which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections — after it became clear it was unlikely to get enough Republican approval to pass. House Democrats also opposed the plan, though it would keep the government funded through most of March.
Congress has until the end of September to pass at least a temporary measure keeping the government open, otherwise a shutdown looms Oct. 1.
Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for first time since 2020
The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. However, it’s not yet known by how much.
Straight Arrow News Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a closer look here.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Authorities say Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Billie Jean King to make history as Congressional Gold Medal recipient
Tennis hall of famer Billie Jean King is being recognized with a prestigious Congressional Gold Medal for her efforts on and off the tennis court.
The measure had already passed the Senate and on Tuesday night, it passed the House, making Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to ever receive the congressional honor.
🚨 History made! 🚨 The House just passed my bipartisan, bicameral bill to award my friend, @BillieJeanKing, legendary athlete, and ardent advocate, the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first female athlete to ever receive this honor—yet another iconic trailblazing moment… pic.twitter.com/kbkkym0aVN
“Mister speaker, it is now time to enshrine Billie Jean King’s legacy as not only a champion of tennis, but a champion of equality whose impact will continue to inspire women and girls and people across America and across the world,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said before the measure was passed.
After receiving the news that she would receive the Congressional Gold Medal, King took to X to say, “Thank you. I am deeply humbled and honored.”
How designating Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization helps Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, announced on Monday, Sept. 16, the state of Texas is enhancing its efforts to target the transnational Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua (TDA). Abbott designated the criminal group as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization,” and revealed a host of actions to combat the gang’s presence in Texas.
“Texas is aggressively going after these foreign terrorist organizations,” Abbot said as he held up the signed new measures.
“By declaring TDA a ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization,’ Texas will use the courts to halt their operations, use civil asset forfeiture to take their property, use enhanced criminal penalties to keep them in jail behind bars for longer periods of time, ” Abbot said.
The new measures will also dedicate a new task force strictly meant to crack down on TDA operations in the state of Texas.
“I directed the DPS to create a new TDA strike force team made up of highway patrol officers, DPS special agents, Texas Rangers, SWAT teams, including aircraft, helicopters, and drones, K-9 teams and intelligence units,” Abbott said.
The governor also announced another designation for the notorious gang.
“To more directly target TDA, I directed DPA to elevate TDA to a tier-one gang, the worst-of-the-worst, ensuring that DPS deploys the resources that are needed to corral this growing menace,” He said.
According to Abbott, the state is already making headway in its fight against TDA. He said during the press conference on Monday that more than a dozen suspected TDA members were arrested at the Gateway Hotel in El Paso on charges of human smuggling and other crimes.
Abbott’s sharpened efforts also impose harsher prisoner sentences on Tren De Aragua members convicted of a crime. He also announced that Texas is starting database from “scratch” to identify suspected Tren De Aragua members through tattoos, scars and other characteristics.
Springfield faces bomb threat after being thrust into national spotlight
The city of Springfield, Ohio, was thrust into the national spotlight on Tuesday, Sept. 10, during the first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris after Trump leveled false claims that Haitian migrants in the city were abducting and eating people’s pets in the community. Now, all that attention may be putting people in real danger, with reports of a bomb threat being made against multiple city agencies, including Springfield City Hall, and local media outlets on Thursday, Sept. 12.
In response to the threat, law enforcement officials said that people were cleared out of offices as a precaution. Police urged people to avoid the area as they investigated the evacuated buildings and surrounding areas.
It’s unclear if the bomb threat is related to the Haitian immigrant conspiracy theory, floated by Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, but the city’s mayor and even Gov. Mike Dewine, R-Ohio, have been forced to refute the claims, denying any reports that pets were being eaten.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance condemned the remarks from the former president as “baseless and inflammatory” and of perpetuating stereotypes against immigrants. As many as 15,000 Haitian immigrants have reportedly arrived in Springfield since 2020 likely drawn to the region because of the low cost of living.
French authorities reveal they foiled 3 terror plots targeting Olympics
The 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris went on without any major act of terror, and reports on Wednesday, Sept. 11, seem to indicate that is likely due to the work of French intelligence. France’s National Counterterrorism Prosecutor Oliver Christensen has announced that the country’s authorities foiled three terror plots targeting the Games in Paris.
The plots reportedly included plans to strike “Israeli institutions or representatives,” but Christensen said the threats did not directly involve the Israeli Olympic team. Five people were reportedly arrested in connection with the thwarted terror plots, including a minor.
The Games took place as wars in Gaza and Russia’s war in Ukraine continued.
Meanwhile, France went on high security alert months before the Olympic Games, performing 936 house searches so far this year, which is up from 153 in 2023. The country also strengthened its air defenses over Paris with attack helicopters and surveillance aircraft.
France’s interior minister repeatedly warned of threats from Islamic extremists and cyberattacks from Russia or other enemies.
In May, an 18-year-old man from Chechnya was arrested for allegedly planning to attack Olympic soccer events just outside of Paris. He reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.
French authorities said that the majority of the threats they stopped were from Jihadists, and Christensen cautioned that the Islamic State group is continuing to “spread propaganda” in France.
Israeli attacks kill dozens of Palestinians as hope for cease-fire dims
Israeli attacks on Wednesday, Sept. 11, killed more than two dozen Palestinians as hope for cease-fire appears to be dimming. An Israeli strike reportedly killed five Palestinians in the occupied West Bank while a separate strike in the Gaza Strip killed at least 20 people, including 16 women and children. Israel said the strikes were launched to take out members of Hamas.
The Palestinian deaths come a day after another Israeli airstrike on Tuesday, Sept. 10, killed at least 19 people in a designated humanitarian zone. The Israeli military claimed the attack was on a Hamas command and control center in the area.
The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry said nearly 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war in Gaza. The attack started after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw another 250 Israelis taken hostage. Hamas fighters have since killed many of those hostages.
Meanwhile, efforts are still underway to free the remaining 101 Israeli hostages. Israeli is reportedly offering Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whom Israel sees as the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 massacre, and his family a safe route out of Gaza, in exchange for abductees still held by the terrorist group and for Hamas to give up control of the Gaza Strip.
Israel Hostage Envoy Gal Hirsch revealed the negotiations to Bloomberg News on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
“We want demilitarization, de-radicalization of course, a new system that will manage Gaza,” Hirsch said.
Hirsch’s efforts are reportedly part of new solutions to get Israeli captives back as hopes of securing a cease-fire deal diminish. The United States, Qatar and Egypt are working out details of a new ceasefire proposal. However, Hirsch claims that Hamas is dictating terms rather than negotiating.
Kamala Harris, Donald Trump go on the attack in presidential debate
We recap the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. And SpaceX launches four private citizens into space for one historic mission. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
Kamala Harris, Donald Trump go on the attack in presidential debate
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris met for their first — and potentially only — debate Tuesday night, Sept. 10. The two presidential candidates were asked questions about the economy, abortion, immigration, Jan. 6, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and more.
Following a handshake, the candidates went head-to-head for about 90 minutes in Philadelphia, trying to win over any voters who were left undecided less than two months away from Election Day.
On the economy, Harris said, “I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people. And that is why I imagine and have actually a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy. Because here’s the thing: We know that we have a shortage of homes and housing, and the cost of housing is too expensive for far too many people. We know that young families need support to raise their children. And I intend on extending a tax cut for those families of $6,000, which is the largest child tax credit that we have given in a long time.”
Trump said, “Look, we’ve had a terrible economy because inflation has, which is really known as a country buster. It breaks up countries. We have inflation like very few people have ever seen before, probably the worst in our nation’s history. We were at 21%. But that’s being generous because many things are 50, 60, 70 and 80% higher than they were just a few years ago.”
On abortion, Trump said, “For 52 years, they’ve been trying to get Roe v. Wade into the states. And through the genius and heart and strength of six Supreme Court justices, we were able to do that. Now, I believe in the exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. I believe strongly in it. Ronald Reagan did also.”
Harris responded, “The majority of Americans believe in a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. And that is why in every state where this issue has been on the ballot in red and blue states, both, the people of America have voted for freedom.”
But it wasn’t always policy that was the subject. Both candidates took jabs at one another throughout the debate, including on the attendance at rallies.
“And he’s going to talk about immigration a lot tonight, even when it’s not the subject that is being raised. And I’m going to actually do something really unusual and I’m going to invite you to attend one of Donald Trump’s rallies because it’s a really interesting thing to watch,” Harris said. “You will see during the course of his rallies, he talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. He will talk about windmills cause cancer. And what you will also notice is that people start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom. And I will tell you, the one thing you will not hear him talk about is you. You will not hear him talk about your needs, your dreams and your- and your desires. And I’ll tell you, I believe you deserve a president who actually puts you first. And I pledge to you that I will.”
“First, let me respond as to the rallies,” Trump said. “She said people start leaving. People don’t go to her rallies. There’s no reason to go. And the people that do go, she’s busing them in and paying them to be there and then showing them in a different light. So she can’t talk about that. People don’t leave my rallies. We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics. That’s because people want to take their country back. Our country is being lost. We’re a failing nation. And it happened three and a half years ago.”
After the back and forth throughout the debate, the candidates each continued to make their case and claimed victory.
The Harris campaign posted on X the debate was “fun” and to “do it again in October.” While Trump posted on Truth Social saying he thought it was “my best debate ever– especially because it was three on-one,” in a reference to the two ABC News moderators.
Swift has previously been vocal in her support for Democrats in elections at the local and presidential level. Swift encouraged her 280 million followers to do their research and that “the choice is theirs.”
Presidential candidates commemorate 9/11
It’s been 23 years since the 9/11 terror attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania killed nearly 3,000 people. Remembrance events are being held all across the country Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Vice President Harris and former President Trump are both scheduled to visit Ground Zero in New York Wednesday.
Harris, who will be paying her respects alongside President Joe Biden, will also visit the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon.
After Trump visits Ground Zero, he’s set to visit a fire station in New York City before also traveling to Shanksville.
FAA investigating after Delta plane clips another aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a Delta Air Lines plane clipped the tail of another aircraft at the world’s busiest airport Tuesday. Both plans were on the tarmac at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta taxiing for takeoff when it happened.
One of the planes had its wingtip severed from the aircraft in the incident. No one was hurt but both planes were damaged, and passengers had to get off.
Hurricane Francine expected to make landfall in Louisiana Wednesday
Meteorologists say the storm is still gaining strength and is likely to turn into a Category 2 before making landfall in Louisiana then moving north into Mississippi. However, they also expect Francine to weaken quickly as it moves inland.
SpaceX launches 4 astronauts to conduct first private spacewalk
SpaceX launched four astronauts into space on Tuesday for a historic mission. The Dragon capsule lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center carrying a billionaire entrepreneur — who financed the trip — along with a retired Air Force pilot, and two SpaceX engineers.
It took about nine and a half minutes for the capsule to reach orbit. A few minutes later, the capsule separated from its support trunk revealing a spectacular view of the Earth from the onboard cameras.
DOJ charges 2 white supremacy group leaders in Telegram terrorism probe
Two white supremacists have been charged by the Department of Justice with leading a digital terrorist group and inciting a series of hate crimes. Dallas Humber, 34, of Elk Grove, California, and Matthew Allison, 37, of Boise, Idaho, face a 15-count indictment that includes charges of soliciting hate crimes, conspiring to support terrorism, and soliciting the murder of federal officials.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California describes Humber and Allison as leaders of the “Terrorgram Collective,” a transnational terrorist organization.
Prosecutors say the group used the messaging platform Telegram to promote their extremist ideology, which calls for violence to start a race war and dismantle government institutions.
According to the indictment, Humber and Allison spread propaganda, offered detailed instructions for committing crimes, and created a list of “high-value targets” for assassination.
This list included names of federal, state, and local officials, along with leaders from private companies.
The planned attacks targeted individuals based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity, according to the DOJ.
Some attacks inspired by their group were carried out or disrupted, including a shooting outside an LGBTQ bar in Slovakia, a planned attack on an energy facility in New Jersey, and a stabbing near a mosque in Turkey.
If convicted, Humber and Allison could face up to 220 years in prison. Allison is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Telegram has been in the spotlight ever since its CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France, accused of enabling criminal activity on the app.
Last week, Durov released a statement saying changes were coming to the app to allow for more oversight but also criticized his arrest for what bad actors do on his platform as a “misguided approach” to a solution.
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.