Larry Elder, a conservative talk radio host and failed 2021 California gubernatorial recall candidate, has announced his intention to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Elder is considered a long-shot candidate, but is confident in his ability to lead the country to a “new American Golden Age.” His candidacy is sure to be contentious, as he joins a crowded Republican field, but his announcement adds another layer of intrigue to the 2024 presidential race.
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Federal prosecutors are considering charging Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, with three tax crimes and a charge related to a gun purchase. The investigation into Hunter Biden began in 2018 and has been looking into whether he failed to file his taxes, wrongly claimed deductions, or lied about being on drugs when purchasing a gun. The case is still ongoing and no charges have been filed yet, but if Hunter Biden is charged and convicted, he could face jail time.
Barbara Barrick has filed a wrongful death civil rights lawsuit against the McCurtain County Board of County Commissioners, Sheriff Kevin Clardy, and several sheriff's deputies in response to the death of her husband following an arrest in 2022. Audio of Clardy reportedly talking about killing journalists and boasting about physically confronting the local district attorney has been released. The lawsuit seeks damages for the wrongful death and an injunction to prevent similar conduct in the future, highlighting the need for police reform and accountability.
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) suggested that Senate Republicans may refuse to fill a vacancy on the Judiciary Committee if Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) were to resign. In response, Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) advanced seven of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees through committee on Thursday with Republican votes, allowing them to pass without Feinstein’s decisive vote. The news of Tester’s comments has caused speculation among Capitol staff, and it remains to be seen what the outcome of this situation will be.
Authorities in Dadeville, Alabama have arrested five men in connection with a shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that left four young people dead and dozens more injured. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 23, and the suspects have been charged with four counts of reckless murder. The investigation is ongoing and authorities have not yet released any details about a possible motive.
Susan B. Anthony List, a leading anti-abortion group, has expressed their disapproval of former President Donald Trump's suggestion to leave the question of abortion rights to the states. The group has threatened to withhold its support from the former president if he does not change his stance, highlighting the ongoing challenge Republicans face with abortion rights.
BuzzFeed Inc. announced a 15% workforce reduction, including the closure of its news division, due to CEO and co-founder Jonah Peretti's overinvestment in the news division and failure to hold the company to higher standards for profitability. The closure has been met with wisecracks online, but Peretti said the company had produced a huge amount of amazing reporting and that it was a difficult decision to make.
Twitter is making changes to its verification system, which will involve removing the blue check marks from accounts that do not pay a monthly fee. The cost of keeping the marks varies depending on the type of user, and the changes are part of Twitter's efforts to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of its content. It is hoped that the new system will help to reduce the number of impostors on the platform.