House Republicans have elected Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) as their House Speaker, despite criticism from Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) who cited Scalise's past association with and comments about white supremacists. Scalise won the caucus vote 113 to 99, and the floor vote was moved up to this afternoon, presumably to get the vote done before anyone could make trouble. Mace said she would be doing an “enormous disservice” to the voters she represents in South Carolina if she voted for Scalise.
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Donald Trump recently came under fire for his comments praising the Lebanon-based, Iran-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized Trump's remarks, saying that the organization should not be praised. The comments have sparked criticism from both sides of the political aisle, with many arguing that Trump's remarks were inappropriate and could be seen as a sign of support for the terrorist organization.
Residents of a southern Israeli town near the Gaza border experienced a harrowing day on Thursday as rockets rained down, while in Gaza, Palestinians lined up outside bakeries and grocery stores after a night of destruction and darkness caused by a near-total power outage. International aid groups have warned that the death toll in Gaza could rise, as Israel has stopped all deliveries of food, water, fuel, and electricity, and Lt. Col. Richard Hecht has reported that forces are preparing for a ground operation. The people of Gaza are pleading for an end to the violence, but with no end in sight, they continue to suffer the consequences of the war.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have been in a labor dispute for three months, with negotiations recently suspended after the two sides failed to reach an agreement. SAG-AFTRA decried the AMPTP's "bullying tactics" and said that the studios were misrepresenting their offers, while the AMPTP said that the gap between them was too great to continue. It remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to reach an agreement and end the strike.
Two families with ties to New York City are mourning the loss of their daughters, who were among the 260 people killed by Hamas militants at a music festival in Israel. Hannie Ricardo found a message from her daughter on WhatsApp saying, "Mom, I love you so much," and realized it was a goodbye. The other family is mourning the loss of Noa, a young woman who was taken by Hamas at the festival, and her family has been searching for her since. Both families are now left to grieve the loss of their daughters and remember them for the lives they lived.
Key takeaways: Steve Scalise has won the Republican nomination for House Speaker, but the full House vote to elect him is still uncertain. Scalise won…
Darryl George, an 18-year-old Black high school student in Texas, has been removed from his school and sent to a disciplinary alternative education program after being suspended for his dreadlocks. The incident has sparked outrage among civil rights groups, who argue that the school district is discriminating against George, and has raised questions about the school district's policies and the potential for discrimination against students of color. It has also highlighted the need for more inclusive policies that take into account the cultural and religious backgrounds of students.
President Joe Biden has expressed shock and horror at the violence of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with reports of toddlers and babies found decapitated. He has called for an immediate ceasefire and is sending experts to "advise and assist" in the conflict, as well as working to free American hostages, with the death toll of US citizens now at 22.