More from Ben Burke
-
‘Gain-of-function’ research guidelines unclear after board vote fails
People were supposed to enter this week with a clearer idea of what the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity recommends for guidelines surrounding “gain-of-function” research. That has not yet happened. The board held a virtual meeting with a panel of experts last week, where a vote on guidelines was expected. However, so many… -
Morning rundown: US expands military presence in Philippines; Phil sees his shadow
The U.S. military is about to have a greater presence in the Philippines; President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meet to discuss the debt ceiling; and we have some fun facts about Punxsutawney Phil for this Groundhog Day. These stories and more highlight the daily morning rundown for Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. U.S.… -
Massachusetts bill offers time off to inmates for organ donations
A bill under consideration in the Massachusetts House of Representatives would offer inmates a chance to reduce their sentences by donating their organs or bone marrow. Bill HD.3822, called the “Act to Establish the Massachusetts Incarcerated Individual Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Program,” would allow inmates to receive between 60 days and a year off… -
Morning rundown: Severe winter storm continues; Tyre Nichols laid to rest
A winter storm continues to slam parts of the U.S., lawmakers say the COVID pandemic is “over,” and Tyre Nichols is being laid to rest. These stories and more highlight the daily morning rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Winter storm continues to bring ice, rain Winter storm Mara continues to bring freezing rain and… -
Abbott appoints first ever Texas border czar in face of border crisis
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, appointed Texas’ first ever border czar Monday. The position is tasked with coordinating with state and federal agencies to manage the Texas-Mexico border. Gov. Abbott selected Mike Banks, a longtime U.S. Border Patrol agent who had recently retired, to fill the role. He will be based about five miles north of… -
Scientists look to bring back dodo bird after hundreds of years
Genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences announced its scientists are planning to bring back the dodo bird. The mission is a part of the company’s “new Avian Genomics Group,” according to a tweet from the company. The dodo bird species famously went extinct hundreds of years ago. Colossal cites “the dodo bird’s final date of extinction… -
Morning rundown: COVID emergency ending; winter storm grounds flights
The federal COVID emergency will officially come to an end this spring; winter weather is again grounding flights nationwide; first responders involved in the Tyre Nichols case have been fired; and an appeals court rules that Johnson and Johnson cannot use a subsidiary to protect itself from lawsuits. These stories and more highlight the daily… -
6th Memphis officer relieved of duty over Tyre Nichols beating
A few days after the Memphis Police Department released graphic video of officers beating Tyre Nichols, the department announced Monday a sixth officer has been disciplined. Unlike the five officers who have been fired and charged with murder in Nichols’ death, Preston Hemphill was suspended shortly after the incident earlier this month. Monday a spokesperson… -
WSJ: China research institute buying semiconductors made in US
According to an exclusive report from The Wall Street Journal, a research institute in China has bought American-made semiconductors at least a dozen times since 2020. The advanced computer chips came from companies such as Intel and Nvidia. The Journal review of research papers published by the state-run China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) found at least… -
Morning rundown: Police brutality protests; Fed to raise rates
Protestors around the country honor the life of Tyre Nichols and call for police reform; Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel in the wake of a terrorist attack; and the matchup for Super Bowl LVII is set. These stories and more highlight the daily morning rundown for Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Police protests… -
How to remove a representative, like George Santos, from the House
George Santos appears to be enjoying the nightlife in Washington D.C. He was recently spotted at a local bar dancing and taking selfies. But in the halls of Congress, and in some prosecutors’ offices, his life is under the microscope as investigators try to determine if any of his lies are criminal. House Speaker Kevin… -
Midday rundown: US sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine; ‘eggflation’ investigation
Biden sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine President Biden just announced his administration is sending more than 30 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. It comes just hours after Germany said it would approve Poland’s request to transfer German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. News of the tank support is a source of great relief to… -
Morning rundown: Pence classified docs; Biden sued by 20 states
Classified documents were found at the home of former Vice President Mike Pence; President Joe Biden has been sued over his migrant sponsorship plan; and Pope Francis criticized laws criminalizing homosexuality. These stories and more highlight the morning rundown for Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Earthquake hits California coast A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the…