At the double-murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, housekeeper Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson testified that Maggie Murdaugh was worried about a $30 million lawsuit against her family in the days before her death. She said Maggie was concerned that her husband wasn't being honest with her about the lawsuit and that they did not have the money to pay it. Turrubiate-Simpson's testimony is ongoing and further evidence is expected to be revealed in the trial.
News Mash
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was discharged from George Washington University Hospital on Friday after being admitted for feeling lightheaded during a Senate Democratic retreat. Tests ruled out a stroke and showed no evidence of seizures. He is now looking forward to returning to the Senate on Monday.
President Biden and the White House have been vocal in their criticism of Republican senators Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Ron Johnson over their proposals that could affect retirement and health care programs. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Scott's "Rescue America" plan, which proposed that all federal legislation sunsets in 5 years. The Republican senators have responded forcefully, accusing Biden of deceiving the public about where they stand, and the debate between the White House and Republican senators is likely to continue in the coming weeks.
Congressman George Santos of New York has been caught in another lie, this time involving United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Santos falsely claimed that Sinema had consoled him after a tense exchange with Senator Mitt Romney, but Sinema's office has denied this. Santos has previously been embroiled in controversy for lying about major parts of his life story, and it remains to be seen if he will face any consequences for his false claims.
The Pentagon, at the direction of President Biden, shot down a "high altitude object" over Alaska airspace on Friday. A fighter aircraft was dispatched to carry out the task, and the object fell on ice. The incident comes several days after the Pentagon took down a Chinese spy balloon, and it is unclear if the object was related to it.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has been met with a lawsuit alleging that the state misled dozens of migrants, but this has not stopped the passing of a bill that expands a program used to fly migrants to Democratic-led cities and states. The bill grants the state authority to move asylum seekers around the country with little oversight, and has been met with criticism from Democrats who argue it is a political stunt. The bill is now awaiting DeSantis' signature, and if signed, will go into effect July 1.
A new study published in Nature Aging has found that people of normal weight may be able to extend their life span by restricting calories. The study found that eating fewer calories appears to slow the pace of aging and increase longevity in healthy adults. The study's main take-home message is that it is possible to slow the pace of biological aging and that it may be beneficial for people of normal weight to restrict their calorie intake.
The U.S. military shot down an unidentified object flying at 40,000 feet in Alaskan airspace and Arctic waters on Friday, at the recommendation of the Pentagon and on the orders of President Joe Biden. The object was shot down and came inside U.S. territorial waters, but no further information has been released. The National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, did not confirm or deny rumors of a Chinese surveillance balloon.