The Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal from the city of Ocala, Florida, concerning a prayer vigil held in response to a local shooting spree. The vigil was challenged by individuals who argued it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented from the decision, suggesting the court should take up a similar case in the future. The case highlights the difficulty of determining when a government action crosses the line into unconstitutional territory, and leaves the door open for similar cases to be heard in the future.
News Mash
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has expressed doubt over House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) statement that footage from the Jan. 6 Capitol riots will be screened by the Capitol Police before being released to the public, questioning whether the police have done so yet. Jeffries said that any material footage must be vetted before it is released into the public domain, and McCarthy's office has not yet responded to his comments. It is unclear when the Capitol Police will finish screening the footage or when it will be released.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently issued a warning to pet owners after a cat was discovered in a passenger's carry-on bag at Norfolk International Airport. Animals can be taken through the metal detector, but must be removed from their carriers and held by the owner. The TSA also recommends that pet owners inform the security officer that they are traveling with a pet, and never put them through the X-ray machine. "Attention pet owners: Please do not send your pet through the X-ray unit," said TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.
Bruce Willis recently received a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and his wife Emma Heming Willis has taken to social media to ask paparazzi to keep their distance. In an emotional Instagram video, she recounted a recent incident in which photographers attempted to speak to her husband and asked for more education on the subject. Her plea has been met with an outpouring of support from fans, reminding us of the importance of providing support and understanding to those living with dementia.
Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped in Matamoros, Mexico, after gunmen opened fire on their vehicle on Friday. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for the return of the four Americans and is asking for information leading to arrests. The agency is also urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them and to be aware of any suspicious activity.
Paul Manafort, former chairman of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, has agreed to pay $3.15 million to settle a civil case filed by the Justice Department. The case alleged that Manafort had willfully failed to disclose more than 20 offshore bank accounts and had filed false tax returns from 2006-2015. It is unclear if the settlement will have any impact on the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
On Sunday, a Southwest Airlines flight from Cuba to Florida was forced to turn back for an emergency landing due to a bird strike to an engine and the aircraft's nose. The FAA is now investigating the incident and is working to develop strategies to reduce the risk of bird strikes, such as increasing public awareness and implementing bird-avoidance technology. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
First Lady Jill Biden has strongly rejected Nikki Haley's proposal for politicians over the age of 75 to take a mental competency test, calling it "ridiculous." Sen. Bernie Sanders has also criticized the proposal, calling it "insulting" and "based on ageism and sexism." The idea has been widely criticized by both Democrats and Republicans, as it is seen as an attack on the elderly and a violation of their rights.