California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to address the growing gun violence crisis in the country. The proposed amendment would raise the minimum age to buy a firearm, mandate universal background checks, impose a waiting period, and ban civilians from buying assault weapons. It has been met with both support and criticism from both sides of the political aisle, sparking a national debate about gun violence and the need for comprehensive gun safety measures.
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Jacob Pursifull, a 20-year-old Louisiana man, is facing criminal charges after he was filmed breaking into Florida's Busch Gardens theme park and entering an alligator exhibit. The incident was captured on video and uploaded to social media, leading to speculation that the stunt was performed in pursuit of social media fame. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is working with local law enforcement to ensure that the individual is held accountable for his actions, emphasizing the importance of respecting wildlife and their habitats.
Former President Donald Trump's lawyers have filed a motion in federal court in Manhattan, asking for a new trial or a reduction in damages in a case brought against him by writer E. Jean Carroll, who testified that Trump had sexually abused her in a New York City department store in the 1990s. Trump's attorneys argued that the jury's verdict was not supported by the evidence and that the award of $5 million in damages was "grossly excessive." The court has yet to rule on the motion.
House Republicans have backed down from their threat to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress after viewing an unverified tip on a form known as an FD-1023 in a secure room on Capitol Hill. The form purportedly contains an allegation that Joe Biden was involved in a bribery scheme when he was vice president, but the allegations have not been verified and the FBI has not commented on the document. House Republicans have continued to accuse Biden and his family members of bribery and corruption.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires caused an orange glow and unhealthy air quality in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, prompting advisories, school closings, and postponed outdoor events. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was used to measure the daily air pollution and communicate associated risks to the public. People are urged to limit time outside and wear masks until the air quality improves.
Tom Holland, star of the "Spider-Man" franchise, recently spoke to Extra about his experience playing a dual role as actor and executive producer on the psychological drama series "The Crowded Room." He described the experience as a "tough time," but said he was happy with the outcome. Holland also spoke about the learning curve of becoming a producer, noting that it was a great opportunity to learn more about the production process and to gain a better understanding of the industry. Fans of the "Spider-Man" franchise can look forward to seeing what new projects he takes on in the future, as he is taking a "year off" from acting.
The IRS has announced that the 2022 tax filing season is going much more smoothly than the past three years, with 87% of calls being answered since January. The IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel noted that some people may have missed the deadline in 2020 due to the pandemic, and there are still unclaimed refunds from 2019. He also reminded people that some households, mostly low-income households, are not required to file a return.
The Supreme Court has sided with whiskey maker Jack Daniel’s in a trademark dispute with the makers of the Bad Spaniels dog toy. The lower court had ruled in favor of VIP Products LLC, but the Supreme Court overturned this decision and sent the case back for further review. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that the use of the trademark fell within the “heartland of trademark law” and that the lower court should have taken this into account when making its ruling. This decision is a victory for Jack Daniel’s and other companies that rely on trademarks to protect their products.