Thursday, March 4th, 2021
New Capitol Threat, U.S. Gets C- & Google Tracking Change
All the news you need in about 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by BLUblox.com/newsworthy and Noom.com/newsworthy
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want to peruse the latest happenings...
New Capitol Threat
Once again, the U.S. Capitol is on high alert. The Capitol Police Department said there’s a militia plot to storm the Capitol building for a second time today. The FBI and Homeland Security Department also sent out a memo to local law enforcement to warn them about the threat. The House also decided to cancel today’s session, giving lawmakers the chance to go home if they want. This latest threat is reportedly inspired by the QAnon conspiracy theory. However, it’s not clear how likely it is that it will turn into widespread, real-world violence.
Read More: ABC News, AP, WSJ, FOX News, USCP
National Guard Commander Testifies
A National Guard commander is the latest witness to testify about the January 6th Capitol riot. Maj. Gen. William Walker told lawmakers just a few days before the riot, Pentagon officials took away his authority to move troops without getting approval from the Defense Department first. On the day of the Capitol riot, it took three hours and 19 minutes to get that approval. Now, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they want to hear more from Pentagon leaders.
Read More: Politico, NY Times, The Hill, NPR
Rep. Jackson Watchdog Report
The Pentagon’s watchdog says a current Congressman behaved inappropriately on several occasions when he was the top doctor in the White House. This is about Dr. Ronny Jackson. The Pentagon’s Inspector General’s office has been investigating Jackson for years and just put out a report with its findings. It says Jackson sexually harassed a woman, bullied his staff, and would sometimes drink alcohol on the job. However, Jackson says none of this is true. He says he’s the subject of a “political hit job.”
Read More: NY Times, CNN, NPR, Axios, Pentagon Report, Jackson Response
House Passes Voting Rights Bill
It’s being called the largest overhaul of the U.S. election law in at least a generation and the House just passed it. All but one Democrat voted ‘yes.’ Every Republican voted ‘no.’ The bill would create automatic voter registration across the country. It would also expand early voting, make the campaign finance system a little more transparent, and more. Democrats say it would put a stop to voter suppression. However, Republicans say states should have the authority to hold their elections without interference from the federal government.
Read More: AP, NBC News, Reuters
Infrastructure Report Card
America’s infrastructure is in desperate need of repair, but there’s not enough funding to make it happen. That’s what the American Society of Civil Engineers found in its 2021 report card. The group gave the U.S. a C-. It evaluates the country on 17 major categories, like roads, bridges, drinking water, energy, and schools. Roads and highways got some of the worst ratings. Engineers say many of them are aging and falling apart. Overall, the group says the U.S. government needs to commit $2.6 trillion to improvements over the next decade.
Read More: AP, NPR, CNN, Report Card
Google Ends 3rd-Party Cookies
Google says it’s going to stop selling ads based on the various websites you visit. Right now, the company uses cookies to see what you look at on Google Chrome. That way, advertisers can see your browsing history to show you ads that might appeal to you. However, Google has been criticized for tracking people too much, especially by privacy advocates. Now, the tech giant says it’ll stop using 3rd-party cookies starting next year. It will still track you across its own platforms though, like Google Search and YouTube.
Read More: WSJ, Vox, AP, Engadget, Google
Facebook Lifts Political Ad Ban
Political ads are coming back to Facebook. Remember, the social media company started banning them after the general election in November. At the time, Facebook said it worried candidates or groups would take out ads that falsely or prematurely declared victory. However, starting today, ads about social issues, elections, and politics are allowed again. Facebook says it’s going to be fine-tuning its ad policies in the weeks and months ahead though.
Read More: NY Times, Axios, Facebook
Netflix ‘Fast Laughs’ Feature
Netflix is debuting a new feature that offers short, vertical video clips on its mobile app. These videos will come from the streaming giant’s catalog of comedy clips, featuring standup comedians like Kevin Hart, Ali Wong, and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as clips from various TV series and movies. The section will reportedly have up to 100 curated clips a day. They’re called Fast Laughs. Users can watch the clips, then share their favorite ones with friends or on social media. You can also add a show or movie featured to your Netflix watchlist.
Read More: Variety, TechCrunch, Netflix
SpaceX Rocket Lands, Explodes
SpaceX pulled off a successful test flight followed by a fiery explosion. It was testing a prototype of its Starship rocket. This is important since SpaceX is hoping Starship will one day take astronauts and civilians to the moon and beyond. The launch and the flight went well and so did the landing. However, minutes after it landed, the spacecraft exploded. No one was on the rocket and there were no reports of injures. So far, the company hasn’t said exactly what went wrong, but it’s already gearing up for its next test.
Read More: Reuters, WaPo, The Verge SpaceX
Thing to Know Thursday: 56 Years Since Bloody Sunday
This week, the U.S. will mark 56 years since Selma, Alabama’s Bloody Sunday. It was March 7th, 1965 when hundreds of unarmed civil rights protesters tried to peacefully march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. However, when they reached the Edmund Pettus Bridge, state troopers attacked the marchers. They were beaten and tear-gassed. The late Congressman John Lewis was one of them. This is the first year Selma will be commemorating the events without him since he died over the summer.
Read More: Axios, AP, FOX News, Selma Jubilee