Rand Paul Delays Senate Vote , on US Aid to Ukraine .
Rand Paul Delays Senate Vote , on US Aid to Ukraine .
CBS News reports Paul has stalled an additional $40 billion in U.S. aid for Ukraine to assist in the fight against Russian invaders.
The Republican KY senator was the lone holdout in the Senate vote to approve the aid, which requires unanimous consensus.
No matter how sympathetic the cause, my oath of office is to the national security of the United States of America, Sen. Rand Paul, (R-KY), via CBS News.
We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the U.S. economy, Sen. Rand Paul, (R-KY), via CBS News.
Though Paul is calling for an
inspector general to analyze the spending, passage of the bill is expected.
Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle criticized Paul's move.
It's clear from the junior senator from Kentucky's remarks, he doesn't want to aid Ukraine, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY), via CBS News.
All he will accomplish with his actions here today is to delay that aid, not to stop it, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY), via CBS News.
They're only asking for the resources they need to defend themselves against this deranged invasion. And they need this help right now, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-KY), via CBS News.
It bears directly on America's national security and vital interests that Russia's naked aggression not succeed and carries significant costs, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-KY), via CBS News.
Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated in an interview that oversight of the bill "is critical" and is already included in its language.
That's why the package already includes millions of dollars
to support additional
oversight measures, Jen Psaki, Former White House Press Secretary, via CBS News.
... including additional funding for existing inspectors general and we encourage all senators to promptly pass the bill as it stands, we feel what's in
there [is] sufficient, Jen Psaki, Former White House Press Secretary, via CBS News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Trump-Backed
Candidate JD Vance , Wins Ohio GOP Senate Primary.
Trump-Backed
Candidate JD Vance , Wins Ohio GOP Senate Primary.
The author of 'Hillbilly Elegy' won the
OH GOP Senate Primary on May 3.
The author of 'Hillbilly Elegy' won the
OH GOP Senate Primary on May 3.
Vance trailed in the polls for much of the race.
It was not until former President
Donald Trump endorsed the candidate
that he began to take the lead.
It was not until former President
Donald Trump endorsed the candidate
that he began to take the lead.
[Trump's endorsement] propelled [Vance] into a commanding first place finish, Trump Spokesperson, via AP .
Vance was once an outspoken critic of Trump, but stated he was wrong after receiving Trump's endorsement.
The OH primary is widely seen as an
indicator of the scale of Trump's influence
on the Republican party.
Now this campaign, I really think, was a referendum on what kind of a Republican Party we want, and what kind of a country we want, J.D. Vance, OH GOP Senate Primary Winner, via AP .
The primary was marked by extremes, with the GOP candidates coming close to physical attacks during the debate.
The primary was marked by extremes, with the GOP candidates coming close to physical attacks during the debate.
Vance will face Rep. Tim Ryan, (D-OH),
in the general election, in which the
GOP candidate is favored. .
Vance will face Rep. Tim Ryan, (D-OH),
in the general election, in which the
GOP candidate is favored. .
I am absolutely in my bones certain that we can do this if we come together, and it’s not about finding our differences. It’s not about hate, Tim Ryan, Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate OH, via AP .
OH Democratic strategists acknowledge that their chances of winning the election are slim, but say the possibility remains.
By all rights, history tells us that the Democrats are going to lose control of the House, Dale Butland, OH Democratic Strategist, via AP .
By all rights, we should lose control of the Senate, too. , Dale Butland, OH Democratic Strategist, via AP .
However, the only thing that could save us is if the Republicans nominate a bunch
of far-right crazies that are unacceptable in a
general election, Dale Butland, OH Democratic Strategist, via AP
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
VP Kamala Harris , Tests Positive for COVID.
On April 26, the vice president's office announced Harris has tested positive for COVID-19.
Press secretary Kirsten Allen said Harris “will isolate and continue to work from the vice president’s residence.”.
Allen also said that "due to their respective recent travel schedules," Harris hasn't been in close contact with the president or first lady.
CNBC reports that the vice president is the highest-ranking Biden administration official to have contracted COVID.
The president, despite coming into contact with those who later tested positive, has not yet caught COVID.
Both the president and vice president are vaccinated and fully boosted.
Although she tested positive on both rapid and PCR tests, Harris is not exhibiting any symptoms.
Also on April 26, Democratic senators
Chris Murphy and Ron Wyden both announced they had positive COVID tests.
Also on April 26, Democratic senators
Chris Murphy and Ron Wyden both announced they had positive COVID tests.
CNBC reports that the positive test results may impede Democrats from having enough votes to confirm nominees this week.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Republican Lawmakers in FL, Vote to Dissolve , Disney's Special District.
The bill was passed by the FL state legislature, 23-16 in the Senate and 70-38 in the House, on April 21.
If signed by Republican FL Governor Ron DeSantis, it means the Reedy Creek special district would dissolve effective June 1, 2023.
The Walt Disney Company would then no longer be able to act as its own government.
Disney has retained the status for five and a half decades.
The special status means that the company has been able to expand and maintain its theme parks with zero cost to FL taxpayers.
In the meantime, Disney came to employ more people in FL that any other company and transformed the local economy of Orlando.
In the meantime, Disney came to employ more people in FL that any other company and transformed the local economy of Orlando.
Democratic lawmakers in FL expressed bewilderment after the vote.
The Disney corporation is being attacked for expressing support for its many LGBTQ employees and customers. Are we really making this enormous decision based on spite?, Tina Polsky, Democratic State Senator, via CNBC.
We are adding insult to injury by voting on something today that was proposed yesterday going after a private business that has literally made our state what it is, disagrees with, Loranne Ausley, Democratic State Senator, via CNBC.
According to FL law, dissolving a special district requires a majority vote of the landowners which, in this case, is Disney.
This means that bill is mostly political theater that is not likely to result in the dissolving of Reedy Creek.
[The governor] wants to prove a point. He wants to prove he’s more powerful, but I don’t think he’s more powerful than Disney, Jason Pizzo, Democratic State Senator, via CNBC.
DeSantis is a likely contender for the 2024 Republican Presidential nomination
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Alabama House Passes, Legislation Making Gender-Affirming , Medical Care for Minors a Felony.
Alabama House Passes, Legislation Making Gender-Affirming , Medical Care for Minors a Felony.
Reuters reports that transgender rights have emerged as a major issue in the buildup to November mid-term congressional elections.
Of the hundreds of bills that have been introduced by lawmakers across state legislatures, a large number of them have related to trans youth. .
Of the hundreds of bills that have been introduced by lawmakers across state legislatures, a large number of them have related to trans youth. .
On April 7, lawmakers in the Alabama House
passed a bill to make gender-affirming healthcare
for transgender youth a felony.
Reuters reports that the bill
was passed 66-28 by Alabama's
House of Representatives. .
Medical providers found in violation of the new law, which still needs to be approved by Republican Governor Kay Ivey, could face 10 years in prison.
Reuters reports that Democrats
in the Alabama House argued that the bill
contradicts Republican principles.
This is not small government;
this is not a conservative bill, Neil Rafferty, Democratic Representative
from Alabama, via Reuters.
Republican Representative Wes Allen compared
the new legislation to laws that prevent minors
from getting tattoos or buying cigarettes. .
Republican Representative Wes Allen compared
the new legislation to laws that prevent minors
from getting tattoos or buying cigarettes. .
We make decisions in this body
all the time that are to protect children
from making decisions that could
permanently harm them, Wes Allen, Republican Representative
from Alabama, via Reuters.
Alabama's governor has not said
whether she would sign the bill. .
The American Civil Liberties Union
has said that it would legally challenge
the bill if the governor signed it into law
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Joe Biden has called on all Americans to reject the "poison" of white supremacy following a racially-motivated mass shooting at a US supermarket. Sky News
Elon Musk says President Biden is a regular Ron Burgundy -- namely, the guy relies way too much on teleprompters ... so much so, in fact, that Elon thinks.. TMZ.com
President Biden has been trying to take credit for lowering inflation, or offer suggestions on how to reduce it -- but in both cases, Jeff Bezos is calling BS.. TMZ.com
How To Eat Healthy , on a Budget.
We all want to eat food we enjoy.
But our budget might be hampering
our ability to balance our finances with healthier food options.
Here are some tips on stretching your budget with healthy and wholesome foods.
Be Frugal.
Experts say don't be self-conscious
if you feel like you can't afford fancy
and expensive health food brands.
Healthy eating doesn't have
to break your bank account.
Watch for Buzzwords.
Buzzwords like organic and non-
GMO are on the labels of many of the healthy food options available to us.
Buzzwords like organic and non-
GMO are on the labels of many of the healthy food options available to us.
But experts say such buzzwords are
merely marketing terms that often
paint a false picture of health.
Organic is fine if that's what
you want to buy, but for someone who is [budget-conscious],
that's not necessary. , Shana Spence, professional dietitian, via NPR.
Coupons.
A great way to save money is
to pick up a grocery store flyer
to monitor weekly deals.
If coupons aren't your thing,
try downloading a store's app
to check for discounts
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Taiwanese President , Rebukes California Shooting.
NPR reports Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the recent shooting at a Taiwanese church in California.
As the shooter reportedly held
immense hatred for the island of
Taiwan, officials ponder whether
Chinese propaganda is to blame.
President Tsai Ing-wen's office released
a statement on May 17, condemning "any form of violence" and expressing condolences
for those who lost their lives.
According to NPR, the suspected shooter, David Chou, 68, is thought to have ties to China, which opposes the independence of Taiwan.
Chou will appear in California
state court on May 17.
Chou was born in Taiwan in 1953 and is a current U.S. citizen. He has been detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Authorities say Chou's hatred for Taiwan, displayed in hand-written notes found
during investigations.
could stem from when he lived on the
island and encountered mistreatment.
Law officials say Chou had hidden
firebombs before the church shooting,
which caused harm to a gathering of
elderly Taiwanese parishioners.
In the shooting, one man lost his life.
Five others were wounded
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Scientists Use Spinal Fluid , From Young Mice to Reverse , Age-Related Memory Loss.
NPR reports that a team
at Stanford University has successfully
reversed memory loss in mice.
The team found that an infusion of spinal fluid
taken from young mice was able to reverse
memory loss experienced by aging animals. .
The team found that an infusion of spinal fluid
taken from young mice was able to reverse
memory loss experienced by aging animals. .
Tony Wyss-Coray, a neuroscientist and senior author of the study, said that a growth factor found in the spinal fluid was also able to improve memory.
Tony Wyss-Coray, a neuroscientist and senior author of the study, said that a growth factor found in the spinal fluid was also able to improve memory.
When we put the factor
in the mice, they actually are
better able to perform a memory
task where they have to remember
something that happened to them
(a small electric shock), Tony Wyss-Coray, Neuroscientist and
senior author of the study, via NPR.
The findings, which were published in the journal
'Nature,' could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's
disease and other age-related conditions. .
NPR reports that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
bathes the brain and the spinal cord. .
We were hoping that by mimicking
a young environment, that the brain
would respond to that with better function, Tony Wyss-Coray, Neuroscientist and
senior author of the study, via NPR.
Maria Lehtinen, a neuroscientist at Harvard
Medical School, has been studying the role CSF
plays in the development of mouse brains. .
We found that the CSF delivers
these important health and growth
promoting factors that can, essentially,
modulate brain growth, Maria Lehtinen, Neuroscientist
at Harvard Medical School, via NPR.
What's been lacking, so far, is the next
step of testing whether these CSF factors
can confer benefits to adult [brains], Maria Lehtinen, Neuroscientist
at Harvard Medical School, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The United States , Has Already Experienced , 198 Mass Shootings in 2022.
NPR reports ten people lost their
lives in the recent racially charged
attack in Buffalo, New York, .
making it the deadliest mass shooting
of 2022 in the United States.
With just over 19 weeks into the new year,
the country has already experienced
198 mass shooting events.
That equates to around ten
mass shootings per week.
Mass shootings have become increasingly common in the United States.
In 2021, the country saw 693 mass shootings. In 2020, that number was 611 and
2019 saw 417 such events.
Experts say such deadly massacres
aren't happening at random.
This is planned violence. , Mark Follman, author of 'Trigger Points,' mass shooting researcher, via NPR.
There is, in every one of these cases, always a trail of ... behavioral warning signs. , Mark Follman, author of 'Trigger Points,' mass shooting researcher, via NPR.
Experts say the role of mental health in such devastating events are often misunderstood.
The general public views mass shooters as people who are totally crazy, insane. It fits with the idea of snapping, as if these people are totally detached from reality. , Mark Follman, author of 'Trigger Points,' mass shooting researcher, via NPR.
Instead, experts believe "a very rational thought process" occurs in planning and initiating a mass shooting
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Texas Supreme Court Rules , State Can Investigate Parents
of Trans Kids.
The ruling by the Texas Supreme Court was handed down on May 13.
It overrules the injunction of a lower court that disallowed state officials to investigate parents for child abuse who allow gender-affirming care for their trans kids.
Republican TX Governor Greg Abbott had issued
a directive on Feb. 22 that equated
"sex change procedures" to "child abuse.".
Furthermore, his office ordered the Texas Department
of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)...
... to "investigate the parents of a child who is subjected to these abusive gender-transitioning procedures." .
I hereby direct [DFPS] to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the state of Texas, ACLU of Texas, via NPR News.
The Texas Supreme Court's ruling was unanimous and surely to be contentious.
While it
overrules the injunction
placed upon Abbott's order, .
it also states that child welfare agencies are
"not compelled" to follow the views of Abbott or his
Attorney General, Ken Paxton.
Just as the governor lacks authority to issue a binding 'directive' to DFPS, the court of appeals lacks authority to afford statewide relief to nonparties, Texas Supreme Court, via NPR News.
In responding to the ruling, advocacy groups seemed to recognize the nuances of how the court responded.
Denying healthcare to trans kids is life-threatening, ACLU of Texas, via NPR News.
Multiple court rulings have now made clear that enforcement of this policy causes harm to youth and their families, ACLU of Texas, via NPR News.
According to NPR,
Gov. Abbott's order has
caused some families who
support their trans children
to leave Texas
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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