Marjorie Taylor Greene Defends Jack Teixeira , for Allegedly Leaking Documents.
The 21-year-old Air National Guardsman
was arrested in connection with leaking Pentagon documents on April 13.
NBC News reports that hours after Teixeira's arrest, Greene took to Twitter to praise him.
Her comments were in contrast with other Republicans who commended law enforcement for their actions.
Democrats condemned Greene's remarks.
NBC News reports that in 2020, Greene called
for Julian Assange and Edward Snowden to be pardoned by former President Trump.
NBC News reports that in 2020, Greene called
for Julian Assange and Edward Snowden to be pardoned by former President Trump.
NBC News reports that in 2020, Greene called
for Julian Assange and Edward Snowden to be pardoned by former President Trump
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Utah Issues State of Emergency , As Melting Snow Is Likely to Cause Flooding.
NPR reports that Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued the state of emergency on April 18.
We’re incredibly grateful for the moisture we’ve received this winter, but the extra rain and hefty snowpack present increasing flood risks as the snow melts, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, via statement.
By declaring a state of emergency, the state will be better able to tap into reserve funds to support flood response and mitigation efforts. In short, we’ll be better prepared for what lies ahead this spring, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, via statement.
According to a memo issued by Gov. Cox, some areas had snowpack levels at or above 200%.
According to a memo issued by Gov. Cox, some areas had snowpack levels at or above 200%.
NPR reports that as the record levels of snow melt in the state, "avalanches, landslides, mudslides and rockslides" could occur. .
The $5 million that was earmarked for emergency management flood mitigation by the 2023 General Legislative Session has already been depleted.
The state of emergency will permit
Utah to use State Disaster Recovery Restricted Account resources.
It will also allow Utah to request aid from the federal government and other states.
So far, as of April 7, over 1 million sandbags have been distributed to help prepare for flooding
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Target Holds ‘Emergency’ Meeting , Over LGBTQ Items.
As Pride Month approaches, many companies have started to advertise more LGBTQ merchandise.
But some Target stores in the South have been instructed to relocate their Pride products from store entrances after a wave of customer "outrage.".
But some Target stores in the South have been instructed to relocate their Pride products from store entrances after a wave of customer "outrage.".
Much of the outrage stemmed from "tuck-friendly" swimwear with "extra crotch coverage" and LGBTQ-friendly kids' clothes.
Some of the new products are
labeled as, "Thoughtfully fit on multiple
body types and gender expressions.".
We were given 36 hours, told to take all of our Pride stuff, the entire section, and move it into a section that’s a third the size. , Target insider, via Fox News.
From the front of the
store to the back of the store,
you can’t have anything on mannequins and no large signage, Target insider, via Fox News.
We call our customers ‘guests,’ there is outrage on their part. This year, it is just exponentially more than any other year. , Target insider, via Fox News.
I think given the current situation with Bud Light, the company is terrified of a Bud Light situation, Target insider, via Fox News.
Target CEO Brian Cornell dismissed
boycott calls over the clothing.
When we think about purpose at Target, it’s really about helping all the families, and that ‘all’ word is really important, Brian Cornell, Target CEO, via statement.
Most of America shops at Target, so we want to do the right thing to support families across the country, Brian Cornell, Target CEO, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
German Government , Slammed For Supporting New , Natural Gas Infrastructure.
On May 22, Germany rejected accusations that it
weakened existing commitments to phase out
natural gas at a summit of Group of Seven (G7) leaders.
On May 22, Germany rejected accusations that it
weakened existing commitments to phase out
natural gas at a summit of Group of Seven (G7) leaders.
Fox News reports that the German government
said that their stance remains consistent
with international climate efforts.
Fox News reports that the German government
said that their stance remains consistent
with international climate efforts.
Activists have criticized leaders' decision to support
construction of new liquefied natural gas infrastructure,
facilitating the use of a planet-warming fossil fuel.
The G7 said that "investment in the sector can be appropriate in
response to the current crisis and to address potential gas
market shortfalls provoked" by Russia's attack on Ukraine.
In the exceptional circumstance
of accelerating the phase-out of our
dependency on Russian energy, publicly
supported investment in the gas sector
can be appropriate as a temporary response, G7 statement, via NBC.
According to Greenpeace's Tracy Carty,
support for new infrastructure for fossil fuel
"is a blunt denial of the climate emergency.".
Fossil gas is one of the most polluting
forms of energy and in its liquefied form,
its carbon emissions can be as bad as coal, Tracy Carty, Greenpeace representative, via NBC.
Meanwhile, Friederike Roeder of the campaign
group Global Citizen suggests that Germany's role
in the G7 talks were "particularly disappointing.".
Meanwhile, Friederike Roeder of the campaign
group Global Citizen suggests that Germany's role
in the G7 talks were "particularly disappointing.".
The EU’s role in international climate
diplomacy is critical but if Germany,
as the biggest member state, continues
to focus its negotiation power on new
gas investments rather than leading
the way for a future free of
fossil fuels, this won’t be possible, Friederike Roeder, Global Citizen representative, via NBC.
NBC reports that G7 leaders also expressed
support for the roll-out of renewable power
generation and other energy saving measures
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Smoke From Canada Wildfires , Is Impacting US Cities.
Fox News reports that smoke from
wildfires in Canada has impacted states
in northern America.
The offices of the National Weather Service (NWS) issued
warnings for cities, including Seattle, Pittsburgh,
the Twin Cities and Chicago, among other places.
Wildfire smoke from Canada will start
making its way into eastern Oregon
and Southwest Idaho within
the next several days, National Weather Service in Boise, Idaho, via Fox News.
The smokey, hazy skies are from wildfires
in western Canada. That smoke is drifting
through the higher levels of the atmosphere. , National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio, via Fox News.
Current air quality is good to
moderate across northern Ohio
and Northwest Pennsylvania, National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio, via Fox News.
Due to rain bringing smoke down to
the surface, an Air Quality Alert was issued
for much of northeastern Minnesota.
The NWS also shared images on Twitter
of skies thick with smoke and a
red-tinged sun seen throughout the country.
Fox Weather reports that visibility
alerts were put in place for both
Washington state and Montana.
Fox Weather reports that visibility
alerts were put in place for both
Washington state and Montana.
Visibility in parts of Montana,
Minnesota and the Dakotas could
drop to as low as a quarter of a mile.
Visibility in parts of Montana,
Minnesota and the Dakotas could
drop to as low as a quarter of a mile.
All the way in Des Moines, Iowa, the NWS
warned that smokey skies could lead to
"reduced visibility" that could linger until May 19
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Metro Areas Grow, , Reversing 2021 Decline.
Fox News reports that the exodus from urban areas in the
U.S. amid the COVID pandemic has begun to slow or even
reverse, according to estimates from the Census Bureau.
Last year, metro areas in New York
and Los Angeles saw declines in their
populations halved, showing a slowing trend.
Last year, metro areas in New York
and Los Angeles saw declines in their
populations halved, showing a slowing trend.
Meanwhile, in Texas and Florida,
populations boomed, representing
a reversal of trends amid the pandemic.
Meanwhile, in Texas and Florida,
populations boomed, representing
a reversal of trends amid the pandemic.
2021 saw over half of the 20 largest
U.S. metropolitan areas lose residents
as people fled densely-populated areas.
At the same time, the growing prevalence
of remote work helped facilitate this mass
movement away from urban centers.
According to 2022 population estimates released May 18
by the Census Bureau, the largest cities to see their
populations grow in 2022 included Washington and Seattle.
According to 2022 population estimates released May 18
by the Census Bureau, the largest cities to see their
populations grow in 2022 included Washington and Seattle.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area saw
the largest boom with six-digit
increases for the second year in a row. .
The city of Forth Worth led the nation with
19,100 new residents, followed by Phoenix
with over 19,000 new residents.
The city of Forth Worth led the nation with
19,100 new residents, followed by Phoenix
with over 19,000 new residents.
Other cities to see the largest population
increases were Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. .
Other cities to see the largest population
increases were Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. .
Other cities to see the largest population
increases were Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. .
Fox News reports that smaller communities,
known as micropolitan statistical areas,
grew by 0.1%, compared to 0.2% in 2021
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Poll Shows US Depression Levels , Have Reached an All-Time High.
According to a new poll, levels of lifetime
and current depression have reached
a historic high in the United States.
Fox News reports that a May 17 Gallup poll
showed that 29% of Americans said that they
were depressed at some point in their lives.
18% of people said that they
were currently depressed.
According to Gallup, both figures
represent an all-time high in
the history of their polling data.
The Gallup poll shows a distinct spike in
depression levels since the COVID pandemic.
In 2019, the lifetime depression rate was at 21.6%.
By 2021, that number climbed to 28.6%.
Meanwhile, the number of people currently
suffering from depression steadily climbed
from 12.5% in 2019 to reach 17.8% in 2023.
According to the poll, women have
markedly higher levels of lifetime depression
at 36.7%, compared to 20.4% of men.
24.6% of adults between the ages of 18
and 29 represent the highest rate of current
depression, a sharp increase from 13% in 2017.
24.6% of adults between the ages of 18
and 29 represent the highest rate of current
depression, a sharp increase from 13% in 2017
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden and McCarthy , Still Haven’t Made a Debt Limit Deal.
June 1 is the deadline for America's
debt limit to be raised before the country defaults for the first time ever.
The House speaker and U.S. president ended
their current round of talks regarding the
situation on the evening of May 22, CNN reports.
The House speaker and U.S. president ended
their current round of talks regarding the
situation on the evening of May 22, CNN reports.
While no deal was reached,
the two leaders are optimistic. .
I felt we had a productive discussion. We don’t have an agreement yet,
but I did feel the discussion was productive in areas that we have differences of opinion, Kevin McCarthy, House speaker, via statement.
We reiterated once again that
default is off the table and the only way to move forward is in good faith toward a bipartisan agreement, Joe Biden, U.S. president, via statement.
While there are areas of disagreement, the Speaker and I, and his lead negotiators…
and our staffs will continue to discuss the path forward, Joe Biden, U.S. president, via statement.
McCarthy also said that once an agreement is reached, he will uphold the House's three-day rule to make sure legislators have enough time to examine the deal before voting.
But not everyone is so optimistic
about the discussions thus far. .
Democrat Hakeem Jeffries said
things are moving in the "wrong direction.".
They’ve rejected the fact that
President Biden is willing to consider freezing spending. It will reduce
the deficit by a trillion dollars. , Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader, via statement.
This is what the extreme MAGA Republicans say that they want. They rejected. They rejected an unwillingness to not put the country through this again, Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
5 Takeaways From , Trump's Town Hall .
Following former President
Donald Trump's town hall, CNN reports
on some of the major takeaways. .
Trump dismisses Carroll trial, One day before the town hall, Trump was
found liable for sexual abuse and defamation
against writer Jean E. Carroll in a civil trial. .
Trump dismisses Carroll trial, One day before the town hall, Trump was
found liable for sexual abuse and defamation
against writer Jean E. Carroll in a civil trial. .
When asked, Trump said that he
doubted the outcome of the trial would
harm his standing with female voters. .
View of looming U.S. debt default, Trump predicted that Democrats would compromise,
while insisting that a potentially catastrophic default
is still preferable to continuing unchecked spending. .
View of looming U.S. debt default, Trump predicted that Democrats would compromise,
while insisting that a potentially catastrophic default
is still preferable to continuing unchecked spending. .
Vague stance on abortion, CNN reports that Trump dodged questions
about a potential federal abortion ban,
which has already split the Republican party. .
We now have a great negotiating
ability, and I think we’re going to
be able to get something done, Donald Trump, former President of the United States, via CNN.
Ending the war in Ukraine, CNN reports that Trump refused to pick
sides in the conflict, while emphasizing the
importance of bringing the violence to an end.
I don’t think in terms of winning
and losing. I think in terms of
getting it settled so we
stop killing all these people, Donald Trump, former President of the United States, via CNN.
Repeated claims of election fraud, Trump continued to refute the results of the
2020 presidential election, despite having already
lost dozens of legal cases to overturn the results. .
I think it’s a shame what
happened. I think it’s a very
sad thing for our country, Donald Trump, former President of the United States, via CNN
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Bipartisan Senate Bill , Aims to Keep Kids , Under 13 Off Social Media.
This week, senators from both sides of the political divide
announced legislation aimed at protecting children from
aspects of social media found to impact mental health.
NPR reports that a bipartisan group of senators
claim that social media is contributing to
a mental health crisis among young Americans.
NPR reports that a bipartisan group of senators
claim that social media is contributing to
a mental health crisis among young Americans.
The proposed Protecting Kids on Social Media Act , would ban children under the age of 13 , from accessing social media.
Teens from 13 to 18 years old would need
a parent to provide a valid form of ID in order
for them to become users on a platform.
NPR reports that the proposed bill is sponsored by Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Katie Britt, and Democratic Senators Brian Schatz and Chris Murphy.
NPR reports that the proposed bill is sponsored by Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Katie Britt, and Democratic Senators Brian Schatz and Chris Murphy.
NPR reports that the proposed bill is sponsored by Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Katie Britt, and Democratic Senators Brian Schatz and Chris Murphy.
The business model of these apps is
simple, the duration of time the user
spends on the app and the extent to
which they engage with content
is directly correlated with ad revenue, Brian Schatz, Democratic Senator for Hawaii, via NPR.
Hawaii's Sen. Brian Schatz argues that the result of social
media platforms driving users to spend long amounts
of time on their platforms could be "catastrophic.".
Social media [companies] have
stumbled onto a stubborn, devastating
fact: The way to get kids to linger
on the platforms and to maximize
platforms is to upset them, Brian Schatz, Democratic Senator for Hawaii, via NPR.
According to a Pew Research study,
most teens say they go on social media platforms
like YouTube and TikTok at least once every day.
According to a Pew Research study,
most teens say they go on social media platforms
like YouTube and TikTok at least once every day.
The growing evidence is clear:
social media is making kids more
depressed and wreaking havoc
on their mental health, while kids
are suffering, social media companies
are profiting. This needs to stop, Brian Schatz, Democratic Senator for Hawaii, via NPR.
The growing evidence is clear:
social media is making kids more
depressed and wreaking havoc
on their mental health, while kids
are suffering, social media companies
are profiting. This needs to stop, Brian Schatz, Democratic Senator for Hawaii, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US House Passes , Debt Limit Bill , As Default Looms.
On April 26, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy passed
his debt ceiling bill by a narrow margin of 217 to 215. .
NBC reports that the passage of the bill
throws into question whether the United States
will be able to avoid a looming default.
Both the Democratic-controlled
Senate and the Biden administration have
said that they would not approve the bill. .
Both the Democratic-controlled
Senate and the Biden administration have
said that they would not approve the bill. .
However, Republicans believe that
the passage of the bill in the House opens
the door for further negotiation. .
Now he should sit down and negotiate.
We are the only party to take fiscal
action... that would lift the debt limit
so we wouldn’t have economic damage, Kevin McCarthy, Republican House Speaker, via NBC.
NBC reports that the White House has
said it will not compromise on raising
the debt limit with policy strings attached.
According to the Treasury Department, economic
calamity from the U.S. defaulting on its debts could
happen as early as June 5 if Congress fails to act in time.
According to the Treasury Department, economic
calamity from the U.S. defaulting on its debts could
happen as early as June 5 if Congress fails to act in time.
Our plan has always been the same:
to avoid default, to pass a clean
debt ceiling — no brinksmanship,
no hostage-taking. , Chuck Schumer, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, via NBC.
However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
suggests that a compromise between both
parties is the only way forward.
The agreement needs to be
reached between the speaker
and the president. Until he and
the speaker of the House reach
an agreement, we’ll be at a standoff, Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate Minority Leader, via NBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
North Dakota , Becomes Latest State , to Pass Strict Abortion Ban.
On April 24, North Dakota adopted one of the United States'
strictest abortion laws, banning the procedure
with few exceptions up to six weeks of gestation.
This bill clarifies and refines
existing state law… and reaffirms
North Dakota as a pro-life state, Doug Burgum, Republican governor of North Dakota, via 'The Guardian'.
'The Guardian' reports that the new law
allows abortions up to six weeks only in
the case of rape, incest or medical emergency.
North Dakota has always
been pro-life and believed in
valuing the moms and children
both. We’re pretty happy and
grateful that the governor
stands with that value, Janne Myrdal, Republican senator, via 'The Guardian'.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned
Roe v. Wade last year, numerous states
have moved to ban or restrict the procedure.
Currently, 13 states have already
put bans in place on abortion
at all stages of pregnancy.
Meanwhile, at least 20 Democratic
states have launched a network
to strengthen access to abortions.
'The Guardian' reports that North Dakota
no longer has any abortion clinics, after
the state's last facility in Fargo was shut down.
The owner of that facility, the Red River Women's
Clinic, continues to pursue a lawsuit challenging the
constitutionality of North Dakota's abortion bans.
I don’t think women in North Dakota
are going to accept this and there will be
action in the future to get our rights back.
Our legislature is overwhelmingly
pro-pregnancy, but I think women in the
state would like to make their own decisions, Liz Conmy, Democratic representative for North Dakota, via 'The Guardian'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
This Day in History:, John Wilkes Booth Shoots
Abraham Lincoln.
April 14, 1865.
Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln in the head
during a performance of 'Our American Cousin,'
at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C.
The Confederate sympathizer then jumped from the
balcony of Lincoln's booth, yelling "Sic semper
tyrannus," Latin for "Ever thus to tyrants.".
Booth injured his leg on the jump, and hobbled
out of the theater to his getaway horse.
Lincoln was carried to a
boardinghouse across the
street, where he died the next morning.
His assassination was part of a broader conspiracy
to kill the major heads of the Union government,
throwing the nation into disarray.
Hiding out in a Virginia barn,
Booth was shot and killed by Corporal Boston Corbett
on April 26 after Union troops set the barn on fire
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:55Published
This Day in History: , The Civil War Begins.
April 12, 1861.
Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay, SC,
is attacked by Confederate shore batteries
under the command of General P.G.T. Beauregard.
After being battered
for 34 straight hours,
U.S. Major Robert Anderson
surrendered the fort.
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln
called for 75,000 volunteer
soldiers two days later.
He had been in office
for barely more than a month.
South Carolina, a slave state,
had issued an "Ordinance of Secession"
earlier in December, dissolving its ties with the Union.
The following four years of war between
the North and South would be the bloodiest
in American history, resulting in the deaths
of more than 620,000 Confederate and Union soldiers
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:58Published
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