Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation banning conversion therapy for minors, making Michigan the 22nd state to outlaw the practice. The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, and is seen as a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan, as it protects minors from a practice that has been widely discredited by the scientific community. Whitmer said the legislation was necessary to make Michigan a place “where you can be who you are and love who you love.”
News Mash
On Wednesday morning, a crane fire in midtown Manhattan left 11 people injured, including two firefighters. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but the Department of Buildings found the crane to be in compliance with safety regulations. The FDNY declared the fire under control at 8:20 a.m., and the incident is a reminder of the importance of safety regulations.
Three Marines from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina were found dead in a vehicle outside a convenience store on Sunday morning, having died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Sheriff Alan W. Cutler expressed his sadness at the "timeless and tragic death" of the three Marines, and the cause of the poisoning is still under investigation.
At a House Oversight Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, witnesses and lawmakers discussed the issue of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs or UFOs). Former U.S. intelligence official David Grusch claimed that the government has a long-standing program to retrieve UAPs, while former Navy Commander David Fravor and former Navy pilot Ryan Graves reported their own experiences with UAPs. Lawmakers called for more information from the federal government and urged them to address the stigma surrounding UFO reporting.
Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor has passed away at the age of 56. Her family has requested privacy at this difficult time, one year after her son's death. O’Connor was known for her trademark shaved head and outspokenness on a variety of topics, including mental health and religion.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) experienced a health scare on Wednesday during a press conference, causing concern among his colleagues and raising questions about his health. His office has not released any further information, but he has continued on with his duties as usual.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was briefly escorted away from a press conference on Wednesday after freezing up mid-sentence while giving his opening remarks. Concerned aides and colleagues came to his side, and he returned a few minutes later to take questions as normal. McConnell's office released a statement saying he was "feeling fine" and had simply "lost his train of thought," raising questions about his health and ability to continue to serve in the Senate.
Seven of the world's largest automakers have announced a joint venture to build a nationwide network of 30,000 electric vehicle charging stations, nearly doubling the number of fast-charging plugs in the U.S. and Canada. The network is expected to be operational by next summer and will be open to all electric vehicle owners. The move is a sign that the automakers are committed to reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation, as electric vehicle demand is growing across the world.