The Florida Department of Education's Office of Articulation has blocked the introduction of a new Advanced Placement course for high school students on African American studies, citing that it is "inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value." Education advocates have argued that such courses are essential for students to gain a better understanding of the history of the United States, sparking a debate about the importance of providing students with access to courses that focus on African American studies. The College Board has yet to respond to the letter from the Office of Articulation, and it remains to be seen whether the course will be allowed to move forward.
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Supreme Court Investigation Fails to Identify Leaker of Unpublished Draft Opinion on Abortion Rights
Supreme Court Investigation Fails to Identify Leaker of Unpublished Draft Opinion on Abortion Rights
The Supreme Court announced on Thursday that it has been unable to identify the person responsible for the leak of an unpublished draft opinion reversing the landmark 1973 decision that established a constitutional right to abortion. 97 court employees were interviewed and all denied being the leaker, and the court has implemented new security protocols and a policy requiring employees to report any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. The investigation is ongoing and the court has asked anyone with information to come forward.
President Joe Biden is set to visit California on Thursday to survey areas affected by severe storms and assess the need for additional federal support for recovery efforts. Accompanied by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state and local officials, Biden will tour the storm-damaged Capitola Pier and meet with first responders and affected residents at Seacliff State Park. Over 500 FEMA and other federal personnel have already been deployed to California to support response and recovery operations.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) was injured in an accident at his home on Wednesday afternoon, suffering "several injuries". He is an Army veteran and has represented Florida’s 17th Congressional District since 2019. His office has asked for prayers for the congressman and his family, but no further information has been released on the accident or his condition.
First Lady Jill Biden underwent surgery last week to remove a non-cancerous growth from her left eyelid, as well as two cancerous lesions from her right eye and chest. President Joe Biden is not expected to launch a 2024 campaign before delivering his State of the Union Address next month, and the Biden administration is preparing to release new childhood obesity guidelines to help reduce the prevalence of obesity in children.
Following the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols in police custody in Memphis, Tennessee, the Department of Justice and FBI have launched a civil rights inquiry. The family of Nichols is demanding answers, including the release of body camera footage, and have planned a series of protests over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. The investigation is ongoing, and the family and activists are hoping for answers soon.
The Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge from a group of firearms dealers in New York who sought to halt parts of the state's new laws regulating commercial gun sales. The dealers had requested an injunction to block the laws, but the Supreme Court rejected their request. This is the latest in a series of rulings that have upheld the state's new gun laws, and the appeal of the lower court's decision is still pending.
The Justice Department is taking a hard stance on the mishandling of classified documents, appointing special counsels to investigate both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) believes that both should be treated “exactly the same way” and that Garland “probably did the right thing by having two special counsels.” Trump is also facing a special counsel for multiple investigations, and it remains to be seen how the Justice Department will handle the investigations.