Hurricane Otis has rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and hurricane-force winds extending up to 30 miles from its center. It is expected to make landfall near the resort of Acapulco early Wednesday, causing catastrophic damage. The Mexican government has issued warnings and set up emergency shelters, urging residents to take all necessary precautions and follow the instructions of local authorities.
News Mash
Richard Roundtree, best known for his role as detective John Shaft in the 1971 film "Shaft," has passed away at the age of 81. His manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed his death, saying he had been battling pancreatic cancer. Roundtree's career in film and television spanned over 50 years, and his work was a turning point for African American leading men in film. He is survived by his wife and two children.
President Joe Biden will not appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot in 2024, marking the first time a sitting president has not done so. This is due to the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which were set in motion earlier this year and are intended to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. Biden's campaign manager wrote a letter to New Hampshire Democrats explaining the decision, and it will be interesting to see how the Democratic Party and its voters respond.
Democrats are urging Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) not to launch a primary bid against President Joe Biden in 2024, as it could weaken the Democratic Party's chances of winning the election. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are attempting to unite the divided factions of the House Republican Conference, seen as a sign of desperation. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said that the focus should remain on defeating Trump in the next election and Phillips should not be a distraction from that goal.
A 20-year-old Ohio man has pleaded guilty to attempting to burn down a church in a rural area outside of Cleveland due to his anger over the church's plans to host two drag events. Aimenn Penny was arrested in March after throwing two Molotov cocktails at the Community Church of Chesterland, and faces up to 20 years in prison. The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has condemned the attack, emphasizing that churches should be safe havens for all people.
The parents of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old college student who died after drinking Panera Bread's Charged Lemonade, have filed a lawsuit alleging that the drink contains more caffeine than Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink combined and no consumer warning. The lawsuit seeks damages for the parents' loss, punitive damages for Panera's alleged negligence, and an injunction to prevent Panera from selling the drink without warning customers of its potential health risks. Panera has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
A bipartisan group of 33 attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against tech giant Meta in a federal court in California, alleging that the company has deliberately designed its social media platforms Instagram and Facebook to be addictive to children and teens. The lawsuit claims that Meta was motivated to keep children hooked in order to boost profits, and seeks to protect kids and teens from online harm. It remains to be seen how the lawsuit will affect Meta's business, but it is clear that state law enforcers are taking the issue seriously.
Yesterday, Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer was selected as the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House, marking a significant shift in the party's direction. However, hours after receiving the nomination, Emmer dropped out of consideration for House Speaker. The decision to select Emmer as the GOP nominee is seen as a sign that the party is looking to move away from the more extreme positions it has taken in recent years and to regain its footing in the wake of McCarthy's removal.