Tuesday, August 9th, 2022
FBI Raids Mar-a-Lago, Meme-Stock Craze Returns & ‘Grease’ Icon Remembered
All the news in about 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by Zocdoc.com/newsworthy and Thrivecausemetics.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 read the latest happenings...
Mar-a-Lago Raided by FBI
For the first time in American history, the FBI raided a former president’s home. Former President Trump put out a statement confirming the search at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, calling it “not necessary or appropriate”. Since then, sources have told news outlets it was part of an investigation into whether Trump took classified records from the White House, which would be against the law. Agents reportedly seized boxes full of documents. For now, Trump hasn’t been charged with a crime, and the former president says he’s been cooperating with the government about the missing records.
Read More: Trump Spokesperson, NBC News, Fox News, Politico, CNN
Ahmaud Arbery’s Death Sentencing
Three white men found guilty of killing a Black man in a racist attack faced the victim’s family this week. Two of them did something they haven’t done before: said sorry. This stems from a murder two years ago. A father, son, and their neighbor chased down 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, shot him, and killed him. They were already convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison at the state level. Then, they were found guilty of federal hate crimes. For that, Travis and Greg McMichael were given another life sentence this week. Their neighbor, William Bryan, got 35 years.
Read More: DOJ, NY Times, WaPo, WSJ, NBC News
More US Aid for Ukraine
The U.S. is giving Ukraine a $1 billion boost in firepower, making this the biggest weapons shipment the Pentagon has sent so far. It includes rockets, ammunition, and a lot of other equipment from the American stockpiles. This comes as Ukraine is determined to push Russian troops out of the south. It won’t be easy since Russia has been moving troops and equipment toward southern port cities in recent days. However, Ukraine is vowing to keep fighting and says America’s contributions are making a difference. So far this year, the U.S. military has given Ukraine nearly $10 billion in military aid.
Read More: DOD, Politico, Reuters, AP, CNBC, NY Times
Bidens’ Kentucky Visit
This week, the Bidens witnessed the damage from the worst flooding in Kentucky’s history. The president and first lady went to the state to meet with first responders and families who lost almost everything in recent floods. Sadly, at least 37 people died in the natural disaster, and more are still missing. Homes were washed away, and many more were badly damaged. President Biden promised the federal government would give Kentucky everything it needs to recover from the devastation. Already, FEMA has given more than $3 million in relief funds and sent in hundreds of rescue personnel.
Read More: POTUS, NWS, CBS News, AP, Fox News, The Hill
Primaries in CT, MN, VT, and WI
Four more states are holding primary elections today: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Vermont. In Wisconsin, one Republican gubernatorial candidate is backed by former President Trump, another by former Vice President Pence. In Vermont, voters are choosing a replacement for the longest-serving member of the Senate since Sen. Patrick Leahy is retiring. In Connecticut, Republicans are vying for the chance to take on Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, even though it’s been roughly three decades since Connecticut had a Republican in the U.S. Senate. Those are just a few of the key races on the ballots today.
Read More: AP, FiveThirtyEight, CNN, WSHU, NY Daily News
‘Meme’ Stock Craze Returns
The so-called meme stock craze is back, and individual investors on the internet seem to be giving some of the same companies a boost. Shares of companies that would typically be struggling were instead soaring yesterday. Bed, Bath, & Beyond’s stock was up 40%. Movie theater chain AMC was up 16%, and video game retailer GameStop was up 12%. This trend is led by people on Reddit and other social media sites who band together to drive up certain stock prices.
Read More: CNBC, WSJ, CNN, Fox Business
Cox Buys Axios
In a media merger, Cox Enterprises will buy digital news site Axios for $525 million. It makes Axios one of the few digital news sites to sell for more than half a billion dollars in the past decade. Axios focuses on politics, business, and local news, whereas Cox is a family-owned conglomerate that got its start in local newspapers. The founders of Axios will stay on to run the site’s editorial decisions and operations. The deal is expected to close in a few weeks if regulators give it the okay.
Read More: Cox Enterprises, Axios, Reuters, NY Times, CNBC
Qantas Executives Handling Bags
The CEO of Qantas Airlines is asking its senior executives to take on more than their usual duties and start handling luggage. It’s because of a worker shortage. The Australian airline says it needs at least 100 managers to work at airports in the country’s largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. They’ll have to scan bags, load luggage on and off flights, and drive bags to and from the tarmac. It comes as Qantas is struggling to hire baggage handlers after about 1,600 of them were laid off during pandemic lockdowns. The country is also dealing with a surge of new Covid-19 and flu cases as demand soars.
Read More: BBC, The Guardian, NY Post, Bloomberg
Olivia Newton-John Dies
Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, best known for her role in ‘Grease’ died at the age of 73. Her husband says she passed away peacefully with family and friends by her side after a long battle with breast cancer. She established the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund for breast cancer research and a wellness center in Australia. Her husband called her a symbol of triumph and hope for sharing her battle with others. Celebrity tributes have been pouring in, too. For example, Newton-John’s ‘Grease’ costar, John Travolta, wrote, “Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever. Your Danny, your John.”
Read More: Family Statement, John Travolta, People, Variety, CNN, NY Post
Elvis Week Kickoff
Elvis Week kicks off today since we’re closing in on 45 years since Elvis Presley’s death. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to come to Memphis from all over the world. There, they can visit Elvis’ famous mansion, Graceland. They’ll also see concerts including Elvis tributes and a lot more. However, you don’t have to be in Memphis to check this stuff out. There will also be a Virtual Elvis Week with some of the in-person events live streamed, as well as an Elvis impersonator contest, a pre-recorded tour of Graceland, and interview sessions with some of Elvis’ old friends.
Read More: Graceland, ABC Audio, Memphis Commercial Appeal, STL Mag
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Trivia Tuesday
What is the best-selling album of all time in the U.S.?
Play along on today’s Instagram Stories quiz. We’ll also have the answer right here next week.
Last Week’s Trivia
Q: Where is the location of the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth?
A: Death Valley, California
Read More: WMO, NPS, Guinness World Records, Popular Mechanics, Fox Weather