President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday, discussing the impact of Hurricane Idalia and the federal government's role in providing assistance to affected states. He also addressed the climate crisis, noting the importance of infrastructure improvements made during the Obama-Biden years. Biden concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for the nation to work together to rebuild and recover from the storm, and to address the climate crisis.
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Hurricane Idalia has caused major flight disruptions across Florida and beyond after making landfall on the state's Gulf Coast on Wednesday. The storm has caused over 1,000 flight cancellations and 900 delays, with Southwest Airlines being the most affected. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is encouraging travelers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information and to allow extra time to get to the airport. Airlines are also offering waivers for passengers who need to change their flights due to the storm.
Key takeaways: The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people and a dog from a sinking boat in New Jersey on Sunday. The boat’s owner believes…
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, becoming the first major hurricane to enter Apalachee Bay since modern record-keeping began in 1851. Casey DeSantis, wife of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, reported that a 100-year-old oak tree had fallen on the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee, and the National Weather Service confirmed that no major hurricanes have ever moved through the Apalachee Bay in recorded history. Fortunately, no one was injured and Casey DeSantis expressed her prayers for everyone impacted by the storm.
A judge in Dedham, Massachusetts has ruled that former Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 93, is not competent to stand trial for charges of sexually assaulting a teenage boy decades ago due to dementia. McCarrick was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after an internal Vatican investigation determined he had sexually molested adults and children, creating a credibility crisis for the church. The judge's ruling means that McCarrick will not face criminal charges, but the Vatican's decision to defrock him still stands.
U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell has ruled that former President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani must pay punitive damages to two Georgia election workers for failing to turn over discovery documents in a civil lawsuit. Judge Howell found Giuliani legally liable for defaming the mother-daughter duo, who were targeted and threatened due to conspiracy theories spread by Trump allies. Giuliani's failure to comply with his discovery obligations has resulted in a costly consequence for him, serving as a reminder that taking shortcuts to win an election carries risks.
Former Trump White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has been denied the ability to use executive privilege as a defense in court after U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Donald Trump had not formally invoked the privilege. Navarro had been subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 House select committee in Feb. 2022 as part of its investigation into the attack on the Capitol. It is unclear what other defense Navarro may use in the case.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has experienced multiple moments of silence in public settings, raising questions about his health and ability to continue serving in the Senate. He has indicated his interest in running for re-election in 2026, but it is unclear whether his episodes of silence will affect his ability to do so.