5 things to know for Oct. 24: Israel, House, Flight disruption, Snowstorm, Auto strike
The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year, but fewer than half of Americans get vaccinated. To boost the nation’s uptake, the agency is reviewing a nasal spray flu vaccine that can be self-administered. If approved, you may be able to take your flu vaccine at home next season.
Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
1. Israel
One of the two Israeli hostages released from Hamas custody described being kidnapped by gunmen and taken to a tunnel in Gaza. “I went through hell,” Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, said during a media conference today. She detailed her experience being taken underground into Hamas’ huge network of tunnels, saying it “looks like a spiderweb.” Liftschitz was released Monday evening, along with her neighbor and friend Nurit Cooper, 79. But more than 200 people are believed to have been captured and brought into Gaza where they likely remain in captivity. This comes as Israel’s defense minister said Monday the country is preparing for a “multilateral operation” against Hamas from the “air, ground, and sea” in an attempt to wipe out the Islamist group.
2. House speaker
House Republicans will meet today to pick a new speaker nominee from a crowded field, though it remains unclear whether any candidate can lock down the 217 votes needed to ultimately win the job. Eight Republicans are now vying for the gavel after Rep. Jim Jordan was pushed out of the race last week. Members will cast a successive series of secret ballots before heading to the House floor, which requires a majority of the full chamber. GOP Rep. Tom Emmer, who serves as majority whip, is considered the front-runner in the race. But the Minnesota Republican, who voted to certify the 2020 election, could face an uphill battle, as some allies of former President Donald Trump have been critical of his candidacy.
3. Flight disruption
An off-duty pilot is facing 83 counts of attempted murder after he allegedly tried to shut down the engines of an Alaska Airlines flight. The plane was en route to San Francisco Sunday when the off-duty pilot, who was riding in the cockpit of the plane, allegedly pulled the fire extinguisher handles to cut the engine fuel. The aircraft’s captain and first officer quickly responded to keep the engines from failing completely, the airline said, adding the suspect was subdued by the flight crew. The flight was forced to divert to Portland, Oregon, where the suspect was taken into custody. Authorities are investigating the incident and Alaska Airlines said it is reaching out to each passenger “to discuss their experience and check in on their well-being.”
4. Snowstorm
Parts of the northwestern US and Northern Plains are expecting the first significant snowfall of the season today. A surge of cold air and deep moisture is expected to spread from Washington and Oregon through much of Montana in the coming hours before a potent storm drops into the Northwest later tonight. Many high-elevation areas will be buried in more than a foot of fresh snow, meteorologists say, while some lower-elevation areas will see the snow melt and refreeze — potentially causing treacherous ice to form along roadways and sidewalks. Wind speeds will also increase during this time and blow snow, which could significantly reduce visibility and worsen travel.
5. Auto strike
The United Auto Workers union ordered 6,800 workers to strike a massive Ram truck facility on Monday. The union said it launched the new strike because Stellantis, which makes vehicles under the Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Chrysler brands, has “the worst proposal on the table” for improving workers’ pay and benefits. Located about a half-hour north of Detroit, the plant produces the Ram 1500 pickup and is the company’s “biggest moneymaker,” the UAW said in a statement Monday. There are now more than 40,000 UAW members on strike as it enters its sixth week, with 14,600 now on strike at Stellantis, joining the 16,600 on strike at Ford and 9,200 on strike at GM.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Netflix releases trailer for ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’
A reality competition show based on the wildly popular series “Squid Game” will stream on Netflix next month. Green light! You may now watch the trailer.
Texas Rangers advance to World Series for first time since 2011
The Texas Rangers defeated the Houston Astros 11-4 in Game 7 on Monday. The team now advances to the World Series for just the third time in franchise history.
Rock collected by Apollo 17 astronauts reveals moon’s true age
Lunar dust collected by Apollo 17 astronauts has revealed that the moon is 40 million years older than previously thought.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson wants his wax figure improved
The A-list actor is calling on a Paris museum to make changes to his wax figure — starting with its skin complexion.
Jeremy Renner shares life updates since his near-fatal accident
The “Avengers” star has physically recovered from the near-fatal accident he suffered last January, but the experience has stayed with him. Read about his recovery journey.
TODAY’S NUMBER
158
That’s at least how many vehicles crashed along Louisiana’s I-55 on Monday after dense fog caused several pileups. Authorities said at least seven people were killed and dozens of others were injured when the “super fog” heavily impacted the area just west of New Orleans.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“It was an honest mistake.”
— Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson, in a statement after he was recently arrested in Hong Kong for carrying a gun through an airport. The Republican state senator said he did not realize he had packed his pistol in his briefcase while he and his wife were traveling for a vacation to Southeast Asia. He now faces a firearm offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison and a fine of more than $12,000.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY …
How to carve a pumpkin safely this Halloween
Watch this short video to learn how you can avoid some of the most common Halloween injuries.
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