The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued a rare "high risk" Level 5 out of 5 alert for parts of the Midwest and Mid-South, impacting nearly 3 million people. Severe weather in the form of damaging wind gusts, large hail, and several tornadoes are expected, with hail reaching up to apple size and wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph. People in the affected areas should take the necessary precautions and stay alert for further updates.
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Former President Donald Trump was indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Thursday, prompting a response from Republican lawmakers who criticized the decision as a politically-motivated "witch-hunt". Trump has yet to comment on the indictment, but he is entitled to challenge the charges in court and avail himself of all processes and protections that New York State’s criminal procedure affords. The indictment has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers, with the outcome of the case yet to be seen.
The trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds have released their annual report, revealing that the trust funds are facing financial challenges and will run out of reserves in 2034. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has expressed the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to protecting these programs, and the trustees have urged lawmakers to take action to address the pending shortfall.
Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, though the exact charge or charges are still unknown. The indictment is under seal, but is believed to involve the hush money payment his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump and his allies have already responded to the indictment, calling it “Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history.” The arraignment is expected to take place next week, raising questions about the legality of hush money payments and the implications of a former president being indicted.
Gwyneth Paltrow was cleared of causing long-lasting injuries to a retired optometrist in a 2016 skiing collision on Thursday. After the verdict was read, Paltrow leaned in to whisper something to the plaintiff, Terry Sanderson, which quickly went viral on social media. The jury deliberated for a short time before deciding that Paltrow was not responsible for the ski collision in Park City, Utah, and the verdict has been met with mixed reactions.
On International Transgender Day of Visibility, President Joe Biden issued a statement denouncing the wave of discriminatory state laws aimed at trans Americans, which he blamed on “MAGA extremists.” He acknowledged the bullying, discrimination, and political attacks trans kids face, and praised their courage in the face of threats. He called on all Americans to stand up for the rights of transgender Americans and urged Congress to pass the Equality Act.
This article discusses the tragic school shooting in Nashville that took the lives of six people, including 9-year-old students, the head of the school, a substitute teacher, and a custodian. Funeral arrangements have been made for the victims, and the Nashville Police Department is continuing to investigate the shooting. The city is in mourning and coming together to support the families of the victims.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office has accused three House GOP chairmen of attempting to interfere in its investigation of former President Donald Trump. The office's general counsel Leslie B. Dubeck criticized the chairmen for collaborating with Trump's efforts to "vilify and denigrate" the justice system. The letter also rebuffed the chairmen's request for testimony and documents, defending the grand jury's vote to indict the former president and saying the request would interfere in the criminal case. The District Attorney's office is not willing to be swayed by political pressure from House Republicans in its investigation of Trump.