Biden administration approves $7.5B loan for EV battery plants in Indiana
A week after the Biden administration preliminarily approved a $6.6 billion loan to electric vehicle (EV) maker Rivian Automotive, the White House is again giving billions in financial aid to the EV sector. This week, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $7.5 billion loan commitment to support the construction of two EV battery manufacturing facilities in Kokomo, Indiana.
“DOE estimates the EVs produced using StarPlus batteries will displace the usage of 260.3 million gallons of petroleum per year –– helping to slash harmful pollutants that jeopardize public health and pollute local ecosystems,” the Energy Department said in a statement. “The project will greatly expand EV battery manufacturing capacity in North America and reduce America’s reliance on adversarial foreign nations like China, as well as other foreign sourcing of EV batteries.”
StarPlus Energy, a joint venture between Stellantis and Samsung, is the company behind the project and the recipient of this funding, which marks the third-largest loan ever approved by the Department of Energy.
The Kokomo facilities are projected to produce enough batteries to power approximately 670,000 electric vehicles annually once both are fully operational.
The first plant is expected to begin production this month, with the second slated to open in 2028. The project is anticipated to create over 6,000 new jobs, including construction and operational roles –– a development praised by the United Auto Workers Union (UAW).
“We are excited to announce that Stellantis has finalized their employee leasing agreement at their joint venture battery plant with Samsung,” the UAW said in a statement. “This means over 1,000 new jobs for UAW members in Kokomo, at a time when Stellantis is trying to cut its way out of its own mismanagement.”
To close this loan, StarPlus Energy must meet various technical, legal, environmental and financial benchmarks. In total, the Department of Energy has now announced 32 deals worth over $54 billion in project investments under the Biden-Harris administration.
Walz defends his military record at first solo campaign event
Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) defends his military record in his first solo campaign event since being named Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. And an emergency declaration is approved for Puerto Rico as Tropical Storm Ernesto churns through the Caribbean. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Walz defends his military record at first solo campaign event
With just 83 days left until the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, held his first solo campaign event on Tuesday, Aug. 13, speaking at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees convention in Los Angeles. During his speech, he addressed his 24-year military record, which has become one of the top controversies for the Democratic ticket.
Republican vice presidential pick Ohio Sen. JD Vance has accused Walz of “stolen valor,” criticizing Walz over remarks he made in 2018 saying he carried weapons in war, even though he never saw combat. The Harris campaign has clarified Walz “misspoke” when he said that.
“I just want to say I’m proud to have served my country and I always will be,” Walz said. “I firmly believe you should never denigrate a person’s service record. To anyone brave enough to put on that uniform for our great country, including my opponent, I just have a few simple words: thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Walz served in the United States National Guard. Vance is a former Marine.
Walz will be taking part in a five-state fundraising blitz over the next several days, while Vance will be in Michigan on Wednesday, Aug. 14, and Pennsylvania on Thursday, Aug. 15.
According to the UAW, Trump and Musk advocated for firing workers who strike. Striking is a protected activity under the National Labor Relations Act and workers cannot legally be fired for it.
Recently, the UAW has been trying to organize Tesla employees and it has endorsed Vice President Harris in the 2024 presidential race.
The newly approved arms sale to Israel will include 50 fighter jets, air-to-air missiles, tank ammunition and tactical vehicles. The sale, however, isn’t expected to make an immediate difference in the current conflict. It’s unlikely these weapons will be delivered until 2026 at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Hamas’ new leader says it won’t be attending a planned meeting in Qatar for ongoing cease-fire talks on Thursday, Aug. 15.
President Biden and European leaders have been pushing both sides to return to the negotiating table as Iran has doubled down on threats to attack Israel. President Biden told reporters Tuesday a cease-fire deal could prevent a broader war from breaking out in the Middle East.
Hamas’ refusal to take part in negotiations signals any compromise is still far off.
Japanese prime minister won’t seek reelection amid political scandals
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he will not run for a second term to lead the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Instead, he will step down next month after scandal, public dissatisfaction, and rising living costs have riddled his three-year term.
In recent months, the LDP has been in the middle of one of Japan’s biggest political scandals in decades. Two of the most influential factions in the LDP are accused of failing to properly declare their income and expenditures and rerouting political funds to lawmakers as kickbacks.
Puerto Rico under state of emergency ahead of Ernesto
Puerto Rico is under a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Ernesto churns its way. It’s expected to become a hurricane at some point Wednesday morning, unleashing flooding rainfall and heavy winds that could be a massive blow to the island’s struggling power infrastructure.
The National Hurricane Center said the storm could become a major hurricane “in a couple of days.”
This comes only days after Debby finished its deadly and destructive trek along the United States’ east coast. Ernesto is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Google unveils new lineup of AI-powered phones
The next generation of the phone wars is here and it’s all about artificial intelligence. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, Google unveiled its latest lineup of pixel phones at its annual showcase.
The yearly event was held a bit earlier than usual this year as Google looks to be one step ahead of Apple when it comes to AI. While we wait for Apple to reveal its next-gen iPhones in September, Google showcased its Pixel 9 lineup — four new phones complete with AI capabilities using its Gemini technology.
New AI functions include a voice conversation feature and a magic editor that can add a person to a photo who wasn’t in the original.
Google’s new phones are available now to preorder. Two are being released on August 22 and the other two on September 4, with the least expensive pixel costing $800 and the most expensive selling for $1,800.
UAW to weigh whether Biden calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire when deciding endorsement
Will the Israel-Hamas war stand in the way of President Biden getting the backing of one of the nation’s most powerful labor unions? Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers union, indicated the president’s policy on the Israel-Hamas war and whether he calls for a cease-fire will factor into the UAW board’s decision on endorsing him.
“That’s a decision the president has to make,” Fain said when asked if the president had talked to him about a cease-fire. “But our stance from day one of my administration has been that our endorsements will be earned, not freely given anymore.”
Fain made the statement at the U.S. Capitol building, where he appeared with Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The group met there to call for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
“Thousands of our members have called with concerns about this issue,” Fain said. “That’s why we discussed this as a board. And it’s why we decided to weigh in on it. Because, you know, we have a lot of members that are concerned that we need a cease-fire and we need peace.”
Fain said there are many factors that play into the union’s endorsements, and he would not say if there is one single issue that will be determinative, even when asked directly.
“We still have a lot to talk about with our endorsements going forward,” Fain told Straight Arrow News. “We don’t have any decisions made yet. And that’ll play out, you know, as as the board meets and as our membership, as we discuss things with them. We’re not ready to even talk on that issue yet as far as what will and won’t determine an endorsement.”
Fain said the decision will be made by the UAW’s 14-member board in consultation with its members.
Media Miss: Unions won at least 10% wage increases for 900K workers in 2023
Union have been busy in 2023 as they have successfully negotiated wage increases of 10% or more for 900,000 workers across the U.S., according to a CNN analysis. Some deals resulted from high-profile strikes by auto workers and Hollywood actors and writers.
According to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss™ tool, this story is a Media Miss for the right. The Media Landscape indicates that while left-leaning and center-oriented outlets are covering this story, fewer – if any – right-leaning outlets are reporting on the topic.
We will continue to move mountains.
Shawn Fain, UAW President
On Monday, Nov. 20, the UAW announced that 64% of union members voted to ratify record-breaking deals with Detroit’s big three automakers. Those deals come after more than six weeks of walkouts by UAW members.
At its peak, 46,000 union members hit the picket line and cost the three automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, a combined $4.2 billion in losses.
“With a united UAW that is more unified than I have seen in my 29 years, actually in my life, if we are not afraid to fight, we can win,” said Shawn Fain, UAW president. “And we will continue to move mountains.”
In the entertainment industry, the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA virtually shut Hollywood production down this year as the groups negotiated for better pay and job protections.
While the 11,000 writers and 160,000 actors represented by the two unions didn’t reach 10% wage increases, there were major victories as a result of the strikes, including protections from AI.
Preliminary estimates reported by Reuters put the economic impact of the Hollywood strikes at more than $6 billion.
The economic impact of strikes in 2023 has been clearly illustrated. Meanwhile, several other unions have been able to strike deals by merely threatening to strike.
The Teamsters union struck an agreement with UPS covering nearly 350,000 workers, and the Culinary union reached a series of deals to avoid strikes at 18 casinos across the country.
Even non-union members, especially non-union auto workers, are reaping the benefits of powerful unions. Department of Labor data shows the average hourly wage in October was up 18% compared to just three years ago.
Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.
The deal, which still needs to be voted on by 43,000 union members, mirrors an agreement between Ford and the union and includes a 25% pay increase over the next 4 1/2 years, including an 11% increase as soon as the deal is ratified.
The union said the tentative agreement not only saves 5,000 jobs Stellantis was planning to cut, but also adds 5,000 jobs. According to the union, the deal saves jobs at a plant in Belvidere, Illinois that Stellantis had planned on closing.
“Stellantis more than doubled the total value of the proposals they had on the table.”
UAW President Shawn Fain
UAW President Shawn Fain announced the tentative deal on social media on Saturday, Oct. 28.
“Once again, we have achieved what just weeks ago we were told was impossible. The power of the ‘Stand-Up Strike” cannot be understated,” Fain said. “Over the 44 days we were on strike, Stellantis more than doubled the total value of the proposals they had on the table.”
The agreement, if ratified, would run through April 30, 2028. According to UAW Vice President Rich Boyer, the union won $19 billion worth of investments across the U.S.
Hours after the Stellantis agreement, the union expanded its strike against General Motors, added a walkout at a Tennessee plant. The expansion brought the total number of GM workers on strike to roughly 18,000.
The deal with GM, yet to be ratified, includes 25% wage increases, like that of the other two tentative deals.
President Biden weighed in on the tentative agreement between the union and Stellantis on social media saying, “It’s a testament to the power of unions and collective bargaining to build strong middle-class jobs and help our nation’s most iconic companies thrive.”
The strikes have cost the Detroit Big Three automakers billions of dollars in lost production. On Thursday, Oct. 26, Ford declared that it alone lost $1.3 billion due to the strikes, and the new deal, if ratified, will cost the company an additional $850 to $900 in labor costs for every vehicle produced.
Maine community reflects after state’s worst mass shooting: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 30, 2023
A Maine community comes together to heal just days after the state’s worst mass shooting. And Panera Bread adds warnings to a caffeinated drink after the death of an Ivy League student. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.
A vigil was held at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine, near where a gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and restaurant last Wednesday, Oct. 25, killing 18 and injuring 13 others. The deceased victims ranged in age from 14 to 76.
Leaders of various faiths spoke to the massive crowd on the resilience of the town of 40,000, with one reverend saying the tragedies, fear and anxiety will not define the community and will not dictate their future.
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The body of the suspected shooter, 40-year-old Robert Card, was discovered on Friday, Oct. 27, at a recycling facility where he recently worked. Authorities said Card died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators found a multitude of firearms while searching for the suspect and added that the weapons used in the shooting had been purchased legally.
While a motive is still under investigation, authorities said Card had a history of mental illness.
Maine had a total of 29 homicides last year. According to the Associated Press, this shooting brings the total number of mass killings in the U.S. this year to 36.
More aid arrives in Gaza as Israel increases its ground operation
The largest aid convoy since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas arrived in Gaza on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Nearly three dozen trucks brought food and medical supplies to the territory, according to the United Nations, saying it is still a fraction of what civilians need.
The IDF said Monday, Oct. 30, it hit hundreds of Hamas targets over the past several days.
The World Health Organization said several health facilities in Gaza have been damaged, and hospitals are continuing to receive evacuation orders from Israel, saying it is impossible to do so without endangering patients’ lives.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll since Israel began its strikes has risen above 8,000 people, adding that many are children.
The White House said President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, Oct. 27, reiterating that Israel has every right to defend its citizens from terrorism while underscoring the need “to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law that prioritizes the protection of civilians.”
UAW reaches tentative deal with Stellantis, GM
The United Auto Workers Union reached a tentative deal with General Motors Monday morning, according to CNBC and multiple outlets.
The terms of the GM deal were not immediately known.
The agreement follows the union reaching a deal with Chrysler’s parent company, Stellantis, over the weekend.
Forty-four days into the “Stand-Up Strike,” 14,000 Stellantis workers on the picket line returned to work.
The Stellantis deal, which still needs to be voted on by 43,000 union members, mirrors an agreement between Ford and the union and includes a 25% pay increase over the next 4 1/2 years, including an 11% increase as soon as the deal is ratified.
The union said the tentative agreement not only also saves 5,000 jobs Stellantis was planning to cut, it also adds an additional 5,000 jobs.
UAW President Shawn Fain announced the tentative deal on social media on Saturday, Oct. 28.
“Once again, we have achieved what just weeks ago we were told was impossible. The power of the “Stand-Up Strike” cannot be understated,” Fain said. “Over the 44 days we were on strike, Stellantis more than doubled the total value of the proposals they had on the table.”
Hours after the Stellantis agreement, the union expanded its strike against General Motors, adding a walkout at a Tennessee plant. The expansion brought the total number of GM workers on strike to roughly 18,000.
In a statement, GM said it was disappointed in UAW’s call to expand its strike, adding that the company has bargained in good faith and it hopes to reach an agreement soon.
It would take a two days more for a tentative deal between GM and the union to be reached.
Judge reinstates gag order on Donald Trump in federal 2020 election case
On Sunday night, Oct. 29, the judge overseeing the federal case charging Donald Trump with trying to overturn the 2020 election results reinstated a gag order she issued on the former president in early October.
The order bars Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing in the case, from making public comments that target the special counsel, court staff and witnesses.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed the order two weeks ago at the request of the Justice Department, but the former president quickly appealed, and the judge temporarily froze the order a few days later.
Chutkan reinstated the gag order on Sunday after prosecutors cited recent social media comments by Trump about his former chief of staff, who is likely to be a witness in the case.
Last week, in a separate case in New York, Trump was fined $10,000 after that judge said he violated a gag order for the second time.
Donald Trump is currently the Republican front-runner for the 2024 Presidential Election. Over the weekend, the GOP field narrowed as his former vice president, Mike Pence, dropped out of the race, saying, “This is not my time.”
Panera updates drink warning after lawsuit over student’s death
Panera Bread has announced it is updating its warnings online and in-store concerning its caffeinated lemonade beverage.
The change comes after a lawsuit was filed by the family of University of Pennsylvania student Sarah Katz last week.
The suit alleged Katz, who had a heart condition, died after drinking Panera’s charged lemonade last year.
The charged lemonade drink contains 390 milligrams of caffeine. The FDA says 400 milligrams is the daily maximum amount of caffeine a healthy adult can safely consume.
The suit claimed Panera failed to adequately warn its customers about the drink’s ingredients.
Panera told NBC News that while the caffeine content of the lemonade was always listed in-store, out of an “abundance of caution,” the company has enhanced its disclosures for the beverage over the past several days.
Now, a warning reads to use the drink in moderation, and it’s not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or people sensitive to caffeine.
SAG-AFTRA, studio remember Matthew Perry
As negotiations between Hollywood actors and studios continued over the weekend to reach a deal to end the 109-day strike, both sides took a moment to remember a “friend.”
Authorities said there were no signs of foul play. Perry, who starred in the 90s NBC sitcom “Friends,” was 54.
Warner Bros. Television Studios, which produced the series, said, “Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and indelible part of the Warner Brothers Television Group.”
The union called on Ford workers to head back to work, though the deal still has to be voted on by 57,000 union members.
According to the UAW, Ford workers will receive a 25% increase in wages along with a cost-of-living raise, which puts the pay increase over 30%. This is a jump from the start of bargaining when Ford offered 9% wage increases.
The union added that this deal helps in putting pressure on the other two automakers to reach a settlement. During past UAW strikes, when one deal has been made, others followed.
The UAW strike began on Sept. 15 targeting three assembly plants in Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Since then, the strike has grown to encompass eight assembly plants and 38 parts and distribution centers in 22 states.
On Oct. 11, the UAW expanded the strike to include Ford’s most profitable truck plant located in Louisville, Kentucky. That day, 8,700 workers walked off the job.
“Ford is proud to assemble the most vehicles in America and employ the most hourly autoworkers,” the statement read. “We are focused on restarting Kentucky Truck Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant, and Chicago Assembly Plant, calling 20,000 Ford employees back to work and shipping our full lineup to our customers again.”
Meanwhile, according to the UAW, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5,000 autoworkers walked out at General Motors’ Arlington, Texas, assembly plant, shutting down operations at GM’s largest and most profitable plant. That brings the number of GM-employed autoworkers on strike to 45,000.
Manhunt underway for person of interest in Maine mass shooting: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 26, 2023
A manhunt is underway after a mass shooting in Maine left multiple people dead. And, after three weeks, the United States has a new speaker of the House. These stories and more highlight the Morning Rundown for Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Manhunt underway for suspect in Maine mass shooting
Police have not yet confirmed the number of casualties in the mass shooting. Still, according to reports, at least 16 to 22 people were killed, and dozens of others, reportedly up to 50 people, were injured, some by gunfire, and others were hurt while running from the shots.
Though authorities have not identified a suspect, they are working to locate a person of interest identified as Robert Card, 44, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Card is described as a trained firearms instructor and is believed to be in the Army reserve. Reports indicate he recently reported having mental health issues and had threatened to shoot up a National Guard base. Reports said he had been committed to mental health facility for two weeks this past summer.
“We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case, to locate Mr. Card, who is a person of interest and a person of interest only, and we will continue to gather information so we can bring the suspect to justice,” Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said.
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for residents of Lewiston, as well as in nearby Lisbon, where police recovered a vehicle said to belong to Card.
Federal officials said President Joe Biden, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security have all been briefed on the situation.
If the number of deaths reaches 22, it would make this shooting the deadliest in the United States since the 2019 mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart, where 23 people were killed, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
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Biden speaks on a two-state solution, questions Gaza death toll
Overnight, Israel said it conducted a “targeted” raid on terrorist sites in northern Gaza using tanks before leaving the area, say it was preparing for the “next stages of combat.”
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the president expressed what he said is a vision for what comes next in the region after the war, saying, “It has to be a two-state solution.”
Biden called for a concentrated effort from Israelis, Palestinians and global leaders to create a path for peace.
Speaking at a joint press conference outside the White House with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the president once again expressed the United States’ support of Israel’s right to defend itself but urged Israel to abide by the rules of war and protect civilians.
The president was asked about the death toll in Gaza, reported by the Hamas-run Health Ministry at more than 6,500. Biden responded by questioning the accuracy of Hamas’ reporting.
“I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. I’m sure innocents have been killed,” Biden said. “I think that Israelis should be incredibly careful to be sure that they’re focusing on going after the folks that are propagating this war against Israel, and it’s against our interests when that doesn’t happen. But I have no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using.”
All 209 House Democrats voted for their party’s leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, R-N.Y.
Johnson was the GOP’s third choice for speaker, following Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s, R-Calif., historic ouster earlier this month. Congressmen Tom Emmer, R-Minn., Steve Scalise, R-La., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, all withdrew their nominations after not being able to get enough votes.
The judge had called Trump to the stand to question him about remarks he made earlier in the day to reporters when the former president said the person sitting next to the judge was “very partisan.”
Trump told the judge he was referring to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who had been testifying against him.
The judge said he found Trump’s testimony “not credible,” and since he believed Trump was referring to his law clerk, that meant the former president had violated the gag order issued earlier this month, barring the 2024 GOP frontrunner from disparaging court staff.
This was the second time the judge fined Trump for violating the gag order during his civil fraud trial, where he’s being accused of inflating his financial assets. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
United Auto Workers reaches tentative deal with Ford
A breakthrough in the nearly six-week-long strike by auto workers against the Detroit Big Three automakers Ford, GM, and Stellantis.
According to the UAW, Ford workers will receive a 25% wage increase and a cost-of-living raise, which puts the pay increase over 30% — a jump from the start of bargaining when Ford offered 9% wage increases.
According to the UAW, the move, called by UAW President Shawn Fain, comes as bargaining talks between the union and Ford have stalled. It has been reported that the latest walkout came after a meeting between Ford executives and UAW President Shawn Fain that lasted about 15 minutes with no progress.
The latest phase of walkouts comes almost exactly four weeks after the strike began on Sept. 15.
“We have been crystal clear, and we have waited long enough, but Ford has not gotten the message,” Fain said. “It’s time for a fair contract at Ford and the rest of the Big Three. If they can’t understand that after four weeks, the 8,700 workers shutting down this extremely profitable plant will help them understand it.”
“The decision by the UAW to call a strike at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant is grossly irresponsible but unsurprising given the union leadership’s stated strategy of keeping the Detroit 3 wounded for months through ‘reputational damage’ and ‘industrial chaos,’” Ford’s statement read.
Ford went on to say that the company made an “outstanding offer that would make a meaningful positive difference in the quality of life for our 57,000 UAW-represented workers.”
According to the UAW, Fain is set to give an update on negotiations via Facebook Live on Friday, Oct. 13. As it stands, there are 33,700 UAW members on strike across the country.
Israel strikes Gaza; US works to bring hostages home: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 12, 2023
Israel, forming an emergency war-time government, continues its strikes against Hamas in Gaza as the U.S. works to bring American hostages back home. And auto workers take their strike to Ford’s largest plant in the world – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Israel continues airstrikes against Hamas; US working to bring hostages home
The Israeli Defense Forces launched an extensive attack on Hamas in Gaza Thursday morning, targeting the militant group’s command centers and the home of a senior official that was being used to store weapons. This comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to destroy every Hamas fighter whose assault on Israel left more than 1,200 people dead and close to 3,000 injured.
Palestinian authorities say at least 1,100 people have been killed and more than 5,000 injured in Gaza since Israel began its airstrikes Saturday, Oct. 7.
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Netanyahu and senior opposition leader Benny Gantz announced the formation of an emergency war-time government, saying they were putting their differences aside because the fate of Israel is at stake.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv Thursday, Oct. 12, to speak to Netanyahu as the U.S. has pledged its support to Israel in its fight against Hamas.
The number of Americans killed in the terrorist attack has risen to 25 (updated moments after The Morning Rundown recording), with at least 17 U.S. citizens missing and an unknown number among the estimated 150 hostages taken by Hamas.
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During a meeting at the White house, President Joe Biden told Jewish community leaders there’s a lot the U.S. is doing to bring the Americans home.
“Press is going to shout to me, and many of you are, ‘what are you doing to get these folks home?’ If I told you I wouldn’t be able to get them home. Folks, there’s a lot we’re doing. I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home. But the idea that I’m going to stand here and tell you what I’m doing is bizarre,” Biden said.
In Gaza, the only power station has run out of fuel, leaving the territory in the dark. Israel has stopped the entry of food, water, fuel, and medicine.
An estimated 220,000 Palestinians are sheltering in United Nations relief facilities, according to the U.N., which is calling for “rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access.”
The Palestinian-Gaza Strip Ministry of Health says services have reached a critical stage as hospitals are working at full capacity and running out of space.
National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby says the U.S. is working with Israel and Egypt to secure safe passage for civilians out of Gaza. “Civilians are not to blame for what Hamas has done,” Kirby said.
Steve Scalise secures speaker nomination
Republicans have selected their choice to be the next Speaker of the House. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., secured the nomination in a closed-door, secret-ballot election on Wednesday, Oct. 11, defeating Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, by a vote of 113 to 99.
It, however, remains unclear when the House will take an official vote on the speaker role.
Scalise will need at least 217 out of the 221 Republicans in the House to vote for him to become the next speaker following Kevin McCarthy’s, R-Ky., historic ousting last week.
Some members are still not fully behind the choice, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who cited concerns over Scalise’s ongoing battle with blood cancer, posting on X, “I like Steve Scalise — and I like him so much that I want to see him defeat cancer more than sacrifice his health in the most difficult position in congress.”
House Democrats are set to nominate their leader, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.
UAW expands strike to largest Ford plant
Despite reports of progress last week between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three Detroit automakers, the union expanded its strike Wednesday night, Oct. 11, with 8,700 workers walking off their jobs at a Ford truck plant in Kentucky.
The plant, which makes F-series pickup trucks and SUVs, is Ford’s largest and most profitable in the world.
The walkout at the Kentucky plant came after a meeting between Ford executives and UAW President Shawn Fain that lasted about 15 minutes with no progress made.
Fain said Ford has not gotten the message to bargain for a fair deal and that this move should help them understand. Ford called the Kentucky strike “grossly irresponsible.”
UAW members began their strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis on Sept. 15. With this expansion, the number of UAW members on strike now stands at 33,700.
Morgan State University to build wall around campus
Last week on The Morning Rundown, we reported on a shooting that left five people injured during homecoming events at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Now, the school is announcing major structural changes on campus to prevent future incidents.
The historically Black university plans on building a wall around most of the campus. The plan would extend existing barriers by about 8,000 feet, encircling 90% of campus.
University president David Wilson said this would effectively eliminate unfettered access. Wilson told students and staff, “We’re doing this, let me be clear, not to keep out our neighbors and our community writ large; we are doing it to keep out the bad actors.”
No arrests have been made in the shooting. Police believe it stemmed from an argument involving two shooters. They say the five victims, including four Morgan State students, were likely not the intended targets. All victims were released from the hospital.
Federal data released in September showed the number of school shootings in the U.S. hit record highs during the 2021-2022 school year. There were 188 shootings, with two-thirds causing injuries and 57 leading to deaths.
Salman Rushdie writing memoir on stabbing attack
More than a year after being stabbed while on stage in western New York, novelist Salman Rushdie has announced he will be releasing a memoir about the attack that left him blind in one eye.
Rushdie was stabbed repeatedly in the face and body in August of 2022 when a man rushed onto the stage as he was preparing to give a lecture. His attacker has pleaded not guilty.
In a statement released Wednesday, Oct. 11, Rushdie said it was necessary for him to write the book, adding it was “a way to take charge of what happened and to answer violence with art.”
Rushdie lived in isolation for nearly a decade after the supreme leader of Iran issued a fatwa, an Islamic edict, in 1989, demanding the author’s death following the release of his novel “The Satanic Verses.” The fatwa was rescinded in 1998.
Rushdie’s new memoir, titled “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,” will be published in April 2024.
Disney raises ticket prices at theme parks
If you’re thinking of taking a trip to a Disney theme park, you might have to spend more to experience that Disney magic. The company has announced immediate price hikes on certain tickets and passes for Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California.
While the cost for both parks’ basic day passes remains the same, prices for annual passes for Disney World are increasing between $30 and $50. The most expensive pass, the Incredi-Pass, now costs $1,449, a nearly 10% jump.
In California, Disneyland’s annual pass is increasing between 3% and 21%, depending on the plan. For the highest annual pass at Disneyland, you’ll now pay $1,649, that’s up $50.
Last month, the Walt Disney Company announced it would be investing roughly $60 billion into its theme parks and cruise lines over the next decade.