Ben Burke
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DC Council withdraws criminal code reform bill ahead of Senate vote
Just days after an unlikely alliance formed between President Biden and congressional Republicans, the D.C. Council announced it is withdrawing legislation that would reform the district’s criminal code. The withdrawal of the legislation comes just ahead of a Senate vote that was likely going to reject the bill. And after the House already rejected the… -
China increases defense budget amid US concern over Taiwan conflict
China has increased its 2023 defense budget by 7.2%. In U.S. dollars, China’s defense budget is equivalent to $230 billion, marking an increase of about $16 billion over its 2022 defense budget. Similarly, the U.S. increased its 2023 defense budget, but its defense budget totals roughly $800 billion. China’s increase in military spending comes as tensions… -
FBI assists in international cybercrime bust amid heightened risk of ransomware
The FBI played a role in taking down an international cybercrime gang over the weekend. The cybercriminals reportedly blackmailed large companies and institutions for more than a decade. With the FBI’s assistance, police in Germany said they were able to identify 11 people linked to the group and identified at least 600 victims. According to… -
Train derailment in Ohio, Americans kidnapped in Mexico: March 6 rundown
A second Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio – A Norfolk Southern train went off its tracks on Saturday in Western Ohio. 28 cars from the 212 car train derailed. Officials said there were no hazardous chemicals aboard the train cars involved. The cause of the derailment is under investigation, according to Norfolk Southern representative Kraig… -
Florida bill expands defamation law, requires state oversight of political blogs
A bill introduced this week by a Republican state senator in Florida would require bloggers to register with the state if they write about Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., or other government officials. If a blogger is getting paid for posts they make regarding state officials, they must let the state know. The defamation bill deemed… -
FDA denies Elon Musk’s request to begin brain chip trials in humans
Neuralink, a neurotechnology company owned by Elon Musk, has claimed to have created a brain chip that treats paralysis and blindness. Musk wants to test the brain chip on patients but has faced a setback in the process. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has denied Neuralink’s request to start human trials. According to employees… -
Tennessee becomes first state to ban public drag shows in new law
Tennessee has become the first state to enact a law that limits where drag shows can be performed. The state also joined a growing list of Republican-led states to ban gender-affirming care for children. Gov. Bill Lee signed both bills into law Thursday. The drag show law bans adult cabaret performances from taking place within… -
Murdaugh found guilty, Santos under House Ethics review: March 3 rundown
Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murder – Alex Murdaugh will be sentenced Friday morning after being found guilty of murder in the shooting deaths of his wife and son. The jury deliberated for three hours before finding Murdaugh guilty of all charges. The trial lasted for six weeks. Prosecutors argued Murdaugh’s many financial crimes were… -
Knives, criminology books among items seized at Kohberger’s parents’ house
The Idaho murders of four college students last November is a haunting crime that initially lacked resolution with no public leads for weeks. In late December, police arrested Bryan Kohberger, who is suspected of killing the four University of Idaho students. The public has been able to gain information through unsealed court records with the… -
Construction at Nevada lithium mine begins despite lawsuit
Construction is underway in Nevada at what will be the largest lithium mine in the U.S. Crews want to extract raw materials from the mine to boost production of electric vehicle batteries. A group of conservationists and Native American tribes are trying to block the construction near the Oregon border saying the government violated environmental… -
CPSC asks for public input on gas stoves, raises concern over regulations
Gas stoves have been a growing source of debate among U.S. politicians. Now, Americans have the opportunity to weigh in on the matter. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to approve a request for information on the health hazards of gas stove emissions as well as the potential solutions to those hazards. While the… -
Morning rundown: White House targets COVID relief fraud; explosive at PA airport
White House unveils proposal targeting Covid relief fraud – The White House announced a $1.6 billion dollar proposal to combat COVID relief fraud Thursday morning. Since the pandemic, the U.S. government has spent $5 trillion in COVID relief funds. Some experts predict hundreds of billions was misused. The White House’s plan targets fraudsters who took… -
Tuberculosis patient faces arrest for failing to comply with treatment
A woman in Tacoma, Washington, has avoided isolation treatment for tuberculosis for more than a year. The Tacoma-Pierce Health Department is now threatening to arrest the tuberculosis patient to force her to either isolate or get treated. The Health Department got a civil warrant. The patient will be arrested if she doesn’t voluntarily comply by…
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USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Connect
Paris Hilton hints at potential political bid after youth welfare bill passes
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Reuters
Corruption scandal halts China’s military modernization: Pentagon
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Getty Images
Congress members say Musk should be next House speaker, and it’s allowed
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Getty Images
US life expectancy hits highest level since COVID-19 pandemic
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AP Images
DOJ accuses CVS of filling unlawful prescriptions, fueling opioid crisis
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