Friday, April 30th, 2021
Florida Election Reform, Mysterious Attacks & GMO Mosquitoes
All the news you need in around 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by Stamps.com (Listen for the discount code) and EveryBottleBack.org
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 reading the latest happenings...
U.S. Economy Rebound
The American economy looks like it’s bouncing back faster than most analysts expected. The U.S. Commerce Department says in the first quarter of this year, the economy grew at a 6.4% rate. New data shows the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week also reached its lowest point since the pandemic first hit. Plus, the National Association of Realtors said more Americans signed contracts to buy homes in March than in February. Economists are crediting things like widespread vaccinations, fewer new COVID-19 cases, and more businesses reopening, as well as federal aid.
Read More: AP, NY Times, Axios, Fox News, Commerce Dept.
FL Voting Bill Passes
One of the most critical battleground states in the country passed a bill to overhaul election rules. Lawmakers in Florida approved it and the state’s governor is expected to sign it into law. If he does, the bill will do a lot to regulate mail-in ballots. People requesting them would face new ID requirements, drop boxes would have limited hours, and new requirements like needing workers to watch over them. That’s just a couple of the many new measures included. Republicans who pushed for these changes say they’ll make elections more secure. Democrats say the new regulations were unnecessary and will make it harder for people to vote.
Read More: NY Times, ABC News, Axios, WSJ, FL House
Possible U.S. Energy Attacks
Federal officials are trying to get to the bottom of two mysterious incidents in the U.S. that seem similar to invisible attacks in Cuba. Beginning in 2016, dozens of American personnel stationed in Havana, Cuba reported bizarre things. They say they heard strange sounds, felt pulses of pressure in their heads, and had other unusual physical sensations. Now, that same thing happened to a couple of other officials in the U.S. One incident was reportedly this past November near the White House. A national security official got sick from it. Separately, another White House official reported a similar attack while she was walking her dogs just outside Washington, D.C. Now, federal agencies are investigating.
Read More: CNN, CNBC, The Hill
Israeli Religious Festival Stampede
It’s being called one of the worst civilian disasters in Israel’s history. Dozens of people were trampled to death at a crowded religious bonfire festival. It happened as tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews were crowded together in what was meant to be a celebration. For some reason, a stampede broke out. At least 44 people were killed and about 150 more are hurt in the hospital. Israel’s prime minister called it a “terrible disaster” and an investigation is underway to see if poor planning or negligence could be responsible.
Read More: BBC, AP, NY Times, Reuters
Severe Storm Damage
People in Texas and Oklahoma are cleaning up from severe storms. Parts of both states were hit with hail the size of softballs and tennis balls this week. Plus, they got strong wind gusts that reached up to 70 miles per hour and a few possible tornadoes. There were reports of trees being shredded, windows shattered, and roofs damaged. Insurance companies and meteorologists say the damage will likely cost more than $1 billion to repair. There were reports of a few people hurt, but thankfully, they’re expected to be ok.
Read More: USA Today, WaPo, Weather Channel
FDA Wants to Ban Menthol Cigarettes
Menthol cigarettes might not be around much longer. Federal health officials are moving to ban them. If you’re not familiar, menthol comes from the mint plant and here in the U.S., it’s the only flavor tobacco companies are still legally allowed to put in cigarettes. However, for years, anti-smoking groups have said it shouldn’t be allowed. Stats from the FDA and CDC show menthol is especially popular among teenagers and young adults. Tobacco companies have also marketed menthols aggressively to Black communities. The FDA says it will propose regulations to ban menthols over the next year.
Read More: AP, Politico, FDA, CDC
Suspects Arrested for Lady Gaga Dognapping
Five people are now facing charges for shooting Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stealing her french bulldogs. Three of them were charged with attempted murder. The other two are accused of being accessories to the crime. The singer’s dog walker was critically hurt but survived. Lady Gaga offered $500,000 to get her dogs back. Now, police say the woman who returned the animals was working with the other dognappers to cash in on the reward.
Read More: ABC News, LA Times, TMZ, LAPD
Genetically-Modified Mosquitoes Released
For the first time in the U.S., genetically modified mosquitoes were released into the wild. It’s part of a test project in the Florida Keys. Scientists are hoping to eventually get rid of the type of mosquitoes that carry diseases like the Zika virus and dengue fever. The idea is to do this gradually by stopping mosquitoes from reproducing. Scientists modified male mosquitoes so when they mate, any female offspring will die before reaching adulthood. Females are the only ones that bite and spread disease.
Read More: AP, NBC News, USA Today, CDC
Kentucky Derby This Weekend
America’s longest-running sporting event, the Kentucky Derby, is happening tomorrow. This year, the world-famous horse race is welcoming back fans after a year away. However, the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville will still have a smaller crowd than usual. Also, fans will have to wear face masks unless they’re eating or drinking. Race organizers are encouraging people to make their bets online using an app, but cash bets will still be accepted. You can watch the Kentucky Derby from home on NBC Sports tomorrow afternoon.
Read More: Louisville Courier-Journal, NY Times, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby
Feel Good Friday: Boston Marathon Survivor Helps Pay for Prosthetics
A woman turned her tragedy into a movement to help others. In 2013, Heather Abbott was standing near the finish line at the Boston Marathon when two explosions went off. She was badly hurt and doctors had to amputate one of her legs below the knee. That’s when she learned a customized prosthetic can cost more than $100,000 out of pocket. The experience inspired her to do what she could to help others like her, so she started the Heather Abbott Foundation. Since then, she’s raised more than $1 million and helped pay for prosthetic devices for more than 40 people.
Read More: CNN, Heather Abbott Foundation