Key takeaways: A lawsuit has been filed against Alec Baldwin and other parties involved in the production of the 2021 movie “Rust” over the shooting…
News Mash
Councilman Russell Heller was tragically shot in the parking lot of the PSE&G energy company facility in Somerset County, New Jersey. The suspect, Gary T. Curtis, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and the investigation revealed that the shooting was not politically connected. This is the second time in a week that a New Jersey council member was found shot to death in a car and the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.
Chick-fil-A is launching its first plant-based entrée, a breaded cauliflower sandwich, in select restaurants in Denver, Charleston, and Greensboro. The sandwich is inspired by the chain's original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, but uses breaded and pressure-cooked cauliflower in place of meat. The chain is monitoring customer feedback from the test locations to determine whether the sandwich will be added to its permanent menu.
Former President Donald Trump's access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts has been restored after a two-year suspension imposed by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Meta has installed guardrails on Trump's account that could result in it being suspended again if he breaks the company's rules. The decision to restore Trump's access to his accounts has been met with mixed reactions, and it remains to be seen whether he will use his accounts to spread misinformation or to promote his 2024 election bid.
The Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday that it will be laying off 7,000 employees and cutting costs by $5.5 billion in the coming months as part of an effort to increase the profitability of its streaming business and focus more on core brands and franchises. Activist shareholder Nelson Peltz's demands for changes at Disney appear to have been satisfied by the announcement, and the reorganization is expected to be completed by the end of the fiscal year. No details have been released yet on which departments will be affected by the layoffs.
Facebook and Instagram have reinstated former President Donald Trump's accounts after a two-year suspension following the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. The accounts will be subject to the same rules as any other user, and any content that violates the company's policies will be removed. The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the decision as a step towards restoring free speech and others criticizing it as a potential source of further violence and division.
Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building on Thursday morning, but is physically okay. The assailant fled the scene and the incident is not believed to be politically motivated. This attack is a reminder of the need for increased security for members of Congress, as other members have recently been targeted in hate-filled attacks.
Leslie Bethea, a Tennessee woman, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining coronavirus relief funds and using the money for personal luxuries such as travel and plastic surgery. The Department of Justice has ordered Bethea to pay back the money she fraudulently obtained and has warned that those who attempt to defraud the government during the pandemic will be held accountable.