Dems try to stop Trump's emergency declaration, Oakland teachers strike: 5 things to know Friday
Democrats will try to stop Trump's emergency declaration
House Democrats will take action Friday to try to block President Donald Trump's declaration of an emergency along the southern border. Trump announced the declaration last week as a means of freeing up billions to pay for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall after Congress failed to give him the money. According to a letter sent by Rep. Joaquin Castro's office, the Texas Democrat will introduce a resolution that, if passed by both the House and Senate, would terminate the emergency declaration. The resolution is likely to have strong support in the Democratic-led House but would face a tough fight in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Catholic church summit resumes after tense first day
The summit that brought together almost 200 high-ranking Catholic church officials, including leaders of bishop conferences from more than 100 nations, will resume at the Vatican Friday after a tense first day on Thursday. Pope Francis spoke at the beginning of the summit and cited the "scourge" of sexual abuse and said it was the responsibility of church leaders to "confront this evil afflicting the Church and humanity." Francis offered 21 proposals for the clergy to weigh — some would require new laws while others would be easier to adopt. The day ended with Colombian Cardinal Rubén Salazar Gómez warning the clergy that they could all face prison if they let crimes such as rape and child abuse go unpunished.
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Heavy storm brings record snowfall to parts of Arizona
A major winter storm that hammered northern Arizona with record-setting snowfall is expected to extend well into Friday throughout the state, including the Phoenix area, according to the National Weather Service. The Arizona Department of Transportation said that the storm closed long stretches of highways throughout Arizona where heavy snow had fallen. Most Phoenix area residents battled rain and cold temperatures on Thursday, while others areas like Flagstaff had broken a 104-year-old record for snowfall in one day. Schools are expected to stay closed Friday, as the Arizona Department of Public Safety and local authorities were asking people to avoid travel if possible.
Oakland teachers head into second day of strike
More than 3,000 Oakland, California, teachers and staff are headed to another day of strikes Friday after parents and students applauded their demands by keeping city classrooms empty. Claiming they are among the lowest-paid educators in the Bay Area, educators are demanding a 12 percent pay hike over three years and more support staff. The district’s final offer of a 7 percent raise over four years and a 1.5 percent bonus, Oakland Education Association president Keith Brown said. The teachers are the third group of public school educators from one of the nation’s 50 largest cities to strike this year after their Los Angeles and Denver counterparts.
MLB free agency: Padres unveil their new superstar
Manny Machado will officially be introduced as a San Diego Padre on Friday after the free-agent infielder agreed to a 10-year, $300 million contract with the MLB club. The deal, the single biggest free agent contract in baseball history, caught many by surprise. Machado has averaged 36 home runs and 96 RBI over the past four seasons and the two-time Gold Glover is expected to return to third base with San Diego after playing shortstop in 2018. His behavior often made headlines over his on-field accomplishments, and many questioned whether that might affect which teams wooed him and how much they were willing to pay.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dems try to stop Trump's emergency declaration, Oakland teachers strike: 5 things to know Friday
