On Friday, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union began a simultaneous strike of Detroit's "Big Three" auto manufacturers, General Motors, Ford, and Jeep-maker Stellantis. The union represents 150,000 workers across the United States and is attempting to negotiate a new contract. Ford has already laid off 600 workers due to the strike, and UAW President Shawn Fain believes the Big Three are trying to pressure union members to accept a less favorable contract. The strike is expected to last until a new contract is agreed upon.
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Millions of people in coastal New England and eastern Canada are under storm watches and warnings as Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee threatens the region with hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and coastal flooding. Lobsterman Bruce Young had his 38-foot vessel transported to the local airport, while Steve Train, a commercial lobster fisherman on Long Island, had just finished hauling 200 traps out of the water. Residents in the area are urged to take precautions and make final preparations as the storm approaches, with the National Hurricane Center continuing to monitor the storm and provide updates.
Libyan authorities have launched an investigation into the collapse of two dams that caused a devastating flood in the coastal city of Derna, resulting in over 11,000 deaths and 10,000 people still missing. Search teams are combing through the streets, wrecked buildings, and even the sea to look for bodies, while the Libyan government has declared a state of emergency in the region and is providing aid. The investigation into the cause of the collapse of the two dams is ongoing.
Republican Representative Lauren Boebert has apologized for her disruptive behavior at a performance of the musical “Beetlejuice” in Denver, Colorado last Sunday, which included vaping, singing, and using phones. Surveillance video from the theater showed Boebert vaping at her seat, and her team had to promise that she would stop her “weirdo” behavior in the lead up to the 2024 campaign. In a statement released on Friday, Boebert acknowledged her actions and apologized, reminding all that disruptive behavior in public places is not acceptable and that everyone should take responsibility for their actions.
Six people, including a 15-year-old, have been arrested in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in the trunk of a car in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The suspects identified themselves as members of a religious group called “Soldiers of Christ” and are facing multiple charges including felony murder. Cpl. Juan Madiedo of the Gwinnett County Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.
The United States Department of Justice has announced the extradition of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of former Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, to the United States. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the extradition is part of the Justice Department's effort to attack the cartel's operations, and comes just two days after El Chapo's wife was released from a federal prison. Lopez is currently in federal custody in Chicago and is facing drug trafficking charges, but no further details have been released.
Residents of Bar Harbor, Maine are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Lee, which is expected to bring tropical storm conditions and flooding to parts of coastal New England. The storm is projected to be 400 miles wide with tropical-storm-force winds, creating worries of power outages in Maine. Utility workers from as far away as Tennessee have begun taking up positions in preparation for the storm, and residents are urged to take all necessary precautions to protect their property and stay safe.
Ashton Kutcher has resigned as Chairman of the Board of Thorn, an organization he co-founded to combat child sex abuse, after acknowledging that victims of sexual abuse have been historically silenced. Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis will remain dedicated to the cause and continue to support Thorn in any way they can. Thorn's CEO Julie Cordua thanked Kutcher for his dedication and said that his resignation will not affect Thorn's mission.