Lucasfilm has announced a new direction for the Star Wars franchise, with a new film to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, an Academy Award-winning and International Emmy Award-winning director and journalist. The film will focus on Jedi Master Rey (Daisy Ridley) building a new Jedi order, and will draw on existing personalities and properties, while reflecting the role of animation in the series. This marks a new chapter for the beloved franchise, exploring themes of overcoming oppressive empires and battling impossible odds.
News Mash
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is introducing a resolution to condemn former President Donald Trump's call to "defund" federal law enforcement agencies. The resolution is intended to show support for the agencies that protect the nation and its citizens, and Schumer is urging his colleagues to join him in condemning Trump's call. It will be debated in the Senate next week, with the outcome uncertain.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, becoming the first Republican to enter the race for the seat currently held by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Lamb is a vocal supporter of former President Trump and his advocacy for tougher immigration and drug smuggling laws, and has been a frequent guest on Fox News discussing immigration issues and criticizing Covid-19 vaccine requirements. His candidacy is likely to be welcomed by the Republican base, as his record of support for President Trump and his hardline stance on immigration is popular among the party's supporters.
Donald Trump has attempted to block former Vice President Mike Pence from testifying before a grand jury investigating the former president’s role in the Jan. 6 riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. However, Trump's motion was denied by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Stephen Miller was seen entering the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, and Trump has since filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to contest the court's decision. It is unclear when the court will rule on the appeal.
Five people were killed and eight injured in a shooting at an Old National Bank branch in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday. The gunman, 25-year-old James Tutt, had legally purchased the high-powered rifle used in the attack from a local dealership. The tragedy has sparked a renewed debate about gun control in the state, with Governor Andy Beshear calling for stricter gun laws. The victims of the shooting have been identified and their families and friends are in our thoughts.
The Democratic National Committee has chosen Chicago to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention, in an effort to maintain their momentum in the Midwest. The decision is seen as a strategic move to energize the party’s base and attract new voters in the region, and is a demonstration of President Biden’s commitment to organized labor. The Republican National Convention has already chosen Milwaukee to host their 2024 convention.
Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of the disgraced blood-testing company Theranos, has been denied bail while she appeals her fraud conviction, and must report to prison later this month. Judge Edward Davila of the Northern District of California cast doubt on her appeal, noting that the portion of the conviction she is challenging is not likely to be overturned. Holmes was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison last November after being exposed as a fraud for promising to revolutionize the blood-testing industry.
Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and has no cure. Wexton has been mainly affected in her speech and mouth movement, but is determined to continue her work in Congress and use her platform to fight for greater resources towards a cure. She has a positive attitude and is doing well.