PoliticsUSA TODAYDemocrats postpone House vote on COVID-19 stimulus bill to give more time for negotiations
House Democrats postponed a vote Wednesday on a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill in the hopes a deal could be reached as negotiations drag on with the White House on a plan to help Americans struggling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The vote was postponed until Thursday to allow House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House negotiators more time to discuss a potential bipartisan deal, said a Democratic aide, who was unable to discuss internal deliberations publicly. Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met at the Capitol Wednesday for their first in-person negotiations since August.
- U.S.Associated Press
9 charged after McCloskey confrontation won't be prosecuted
Nine people charged with misdemeanor trespassing after a racial injustice protest in a private St. Louis neighborhood in June will not be prosecuted, city officials said Tuesday. Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who live in the neighborhood, confronted the demonstrators with guns and have been charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a felony. Deputy City Counselor Michael Garvin said in a statement Tuesday prosecution of the trespassing charges "is not warranted” and charges would be refused, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
EntertainmentThe Week'Basically nobody' turned off the 1st presidential debate while it was in progress
Viewers apparently couldn't peel their eyes away from the first presidential debate Tuesday night. Despite widespread criticism of the chaos that unfolded on stage, the final 15 minutes actually rated slightly higher than the opening 15 minutes, and audiences fell just 2 percent from the 9:30 p.m. ET peak by the time it all wrapped up, Nielsen data shows.
PoliticsThe Daily Beast‘Fox & Friends’ Hosts Look On in Horror as Rudy Giuliani Blurts Out Biden Dementia Conspiracy Theory
Anything can go wrong—from a faulty connection, a verbal slip-up, or, as was the case on Tuesday morning's Fox & Friends, Rudy Giuliani bellowing insane conspiracy theories at the nation with no obvious way to stop him. It's always a risk to allow Giuliani to share his wildly unpredictable stream of consciousness live. The man who was named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2001 has long since been reduced to sharing the latest Trumpist conspiracy theories on any cable news channel that has the budget to cover any possible subsequent defamation lawsuits.
PoliticsTimeWhy Donald Trump's Former Housekeeper—and Millions of Other American Workers—Paid More in Federal Taxes Than Her Boss
In 2011, Sandra Diaz was working as a housekeeper at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey where she says she was tasked with cleaning the personal residence of Donald and Melania Trump, in addition to that of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. She folded their laundry, mopped their floors, and cleaned their bathrooms. In other words, Diaz, then an undocumented immigrant from Costa Rica, contributed more to the federal government in 2011 than the $0 that Trump—who is estimated to be a billionaire—paid in federal income taxes during 10 of the 15 years between 2000-2015, according to the New York Times' bombshell reporting on the President's long sought-after tax records. As an undocumented immigrant at the time, Diaz's tax dollars were paying for public services from which she couldn't personally benefit: She had no health insurance, could not vote, and was not eligible for certain government assistance programs that help people in and near her relatively low income bracket.
U.S.INSIDERThe family of one of the officers who killed Breonna Taylor started an online fundraiser so he can retire early and focus on his 'safety'
Myles Cosgrove is one of the two Louisville police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in March. This weekend, Cosgrove's family started an online fundraiser to raise $75,000 so he can buy out the rest of his service time and retire from the force early to "focus on the safety of his family." The family wrote in the campaign page that "it has recently become clear that it will be impossible for Myles to safely return to his position."
PoliticsUSA TODAYJoe Biden tweets joke mocking 'earpiece' and 'drug' allegations with photo of headphones and ice cream
Ahead of the first presidential debate Tuesday evening, former Vice President Joe Biden mocked the unfounded allegations that he relies on an earpiece and performance enhancing drugs to appear coherent. "It's debate night, so I've got my earpiece and performance enhancers ready," he wrote on Twitter with a photo of tangled earbuds and a pint of ice cream. The remark comes after President Donald Trump and campaign surrogates, who have repeatedly suggested that Biden lacks the physical fitness and mental acuity to serve as president, advocated for pre-debate ear inspections and drug tests.
PoliticsThe IndependentFive Republican congressmen vote against bill committing to peaceful transfer of power after election
The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a symbolic bill committing its members to the peaceful transfer of power after the upcoming election – but while 397 members voted for it, 5 Republicans voted no. The vote came on the same day as Donald Trump's first TV debate with Joe Biden, during which the president not only refused to guarantee an orderly transition but also declined to disavow white supremacy, while also telling the violent Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by”. The legislation as written reaffirms “the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States”.
U.S.The Daily BeastAccused Gangster Charged With Ambush Shooting of L.A. Deputies
After a three-week manhunt, a Los Angeles man was arrested and charged Wednesday with attempting to murder two sheriff's deputies who were ambushed as they sat in their car. Deonte Lee Murray, 36, is facing two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and possession of a firearm for allegedly walking up to the squad car parked outside a Metro station on Sept. 12 and opening fire, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday. “They became victims of a violent crime for one reason: They wear a badge,” L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a press conference.
PoliticsThe WeekDespite hopeful speculation, Biden campaign says remaining debates are still on
At the end of Tuesday night's raucous presidential debate, cable news hosts and pundits immediately began speculating on whether it would be the only one held this year, but Democratic nominee Joe Biden's campaign quickly dashed that dream. Many thought Tuesday's debate was an unmitigated disaster, as Trump routinely interrupted Biden and moderator Chris Wallace. CNN's Wolf Blitzer, for example, called it an "embarrassment for the United States" and wondered whether the next two debates would be canceled.
U.S.The IndependentMarine fighter jet lands safely after crashing in mid-air with another plane in Southern California
An investigation has been launched into the cause of a mid-air crash between a Marine Corps fighter jet and another plane in a remote part of Southern California earlier this week. According to the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, the collision occurred on Tuesday afternoon as the F-35B jet swiped a Lockheed Martin KC-130J tanker around 4:00pm. A statement from the station said the jet pilot “ejected successfully and is currently being treated” and that no other injuries were reported.
PoliticsSalonJudge initiates contempt proceedings after Trump’s commerce secretary allegedly defies census order
Wilbur Ross, secretary of commerce in the Trump administration, recently ordered the U.S. Census Bureau to end its field operations for the 2020 U.S. Census on Oct. 5. Axios Reporter Rebecca Falconer notes, "Koh's injunction suspended the Census Bureau's deadline for ending the once-in-a-decade count on Sept. 30, reimposing an older Census Bureau proposal to end operations on Oct. 31."
BusinessThe WeekRep. Katie Porter eviscerates pharma CEO with a brutal math lesson about his $13 million salary
While at the company, Alles saw a massive increase in the price of the cancer drug Revlimid — and Porter broke down just what it got Alles in return. Porter started her takedown by asking Alles if he knew what a Revlimid pill cost in 2005: $215, she reminded him with the help of a whiteboard. And by the time Alles left the company last year, after its sale to Bristol-Myers Squibb, a single Revlimid pill cost $763.
HealthBusiness InsiderWinter is coming. Start building your coronavirus bubble now and get ready to socialize in the cold.
Public health experts agree: winter with the coronavirus is going to be difficult. Just make sure "you don't bubble with someone, who then bubbles with someone, who then bubbles with someone," one public health expert said. Winter with the coronavirus approaches, and not even America's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has a solid plan.
PoliticsINSIDERTrump once again suggested Joe Rogan should moderate a presidential debate, but Rogan swiftly suggested legendary MMA ref John McCarthy do it instead
President Donald Trump on Tuesday night appeared to suggest that the podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan should moderate the next presidential debate. Trump retweeted a post from the conservative media executive Tyler Gardon that posited Rogan "would do a much better job" than the Fox News anchor Chris Wallace did earlier that night. Wallace received widespread criticism for his chairing of the debate, as he struggled to stop the president from interrupting his rival Joe Biden during a chaotic 90 minutes.
U.S.TheGrioPolice storm Black student’s dorm room with guns after roommates allegedly file false report
Christin Evans, a student at SFU, was accused of wanting to stab her three white roommates at her Texas dorm but police cleared her of any wrongdoing A Black student in Texas had guns pointed at her after cops barged into her room in response to her roommates allegedly filing a false report. Christin Evans, 17, is still shaken up after campus police barreled into her room at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas with their guns drawn on Sept. The freshman, who was recruited for the SFA cheer squad, recounted the incident at a press conference on Monday, the Washington Post reported.
LifestyleUSA TODAY'Magical Disney experience' going away? What Disney's layoffs mean for theme park guests
The happiest place on Earth is a lot less happy this week after Disney announced it would be laying off 28,000 staffers from its parks division. "As hard as they try to make those cutbacks only affect behind the scenes issues, it eventually comes to the guest," Dennis Speigel, founder & CEO of International Theme Park Services, told USA TODAY. Disney's layoffs will alter already topsy-turvy theme park visits for guests, if they even choose to go at all.
- PoliticsFOX News Videos
Cruz calls Judge Amy Coney Barrett 'very impressive' after meeting
Senate Judiciary Committee member joins 'Bill Hemmer Reports' to discuss sitdown with Supreme Court nominee.
U.S.Miami HeraldDave Matthews Band fan died after chair hit him at Missouri concert venue, lawsuit says
A Dave Matthews Band fan died after a chair thrown at a Missouri concert venue hit him in the head, a lawsuit says. Jasen Smith, his wife and friends attended the May 2019 concert at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights, Missouri. According to the lawsuit, employees of Live Nation who were cleaning up the concert venue had been throwing chairs from a grassy lawn area to a sidewalk below.
CelebrityINSIDERDonald Glover reveals he's struggled with his sexuality: 'I never felt completely safe'
Donald Glover revealed in a new interview that he struggled to define and come to terms with his sexuality. Speaking to "I May Destroy You" creator Michaela Coel, Glover said he was unsure of his sexual orientation during his college years. Glover also told Coel that he "never felt completely safe in just one place" due to experiences with racism growing up.
PoliticsNational ReviewBiden Raised Record-Setting $3.8 Million in One Hour During Presidential Debate, Campaign Says
Democratic nominee Joe Biden raised a record-breaking $3.8 million in one hour during the first presidential debate against President Trump on Tuesday night, according to the former vice president's campaign. Donations made between 10 and 11 p.m. broke records for both the Biden campaign and any candidate on ActBlue, a nonprofit online platform designed to help Democratic candidates and progressive nonprofits raise money, Biden campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said Wednesday. “Joe Biden spoke directly to the American people tonight and they are responding,” she said, according to Fox News.
CelebrityINSIDERKelly Ripa says it's 'really hard' not being with Mark Consuelos for her 50th birthday: 'Maybe I'll just wait until next year'
Kelly Ripa spoke to Insider about how she plans on spending her upcoming 50th birthday on Friday. The "Live With Kelly and Ryan" cohost, who's promoting her partnership with Persona Nutrition, told us that it'll be "really hard" celebrating the milestone without husband Mark Consuelos (who's in Vancouver filming season five of "Riverdale") or their other family members. The talk show host said that her birthday will most likely be "very simple and probably quiet," and she'll spend the day with her kids.
- SportsAssociated Press
Leaked minutes add to New Zealand-Australia rugby row
New Zealand Rugby is disputing a leaked document which appears to show it had advance knowledge of the Rugby Championship schedule that has become the latest flash point in a fraught relationship with neighbor Australia. Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has said the relationship with New Zealand is at its “lowest ebb” after a recent series of disagreements, including New Zealand's plan to establish an eight-team trans-Tasman Super Rugby tournament which would include only two Australian teams. The relationship suffered further damage when Australia and southern hemisphere governing body Sanzaar released a schedule for the Rugby Championship in Australia which would see the All Blacks playing their last match against the Wallabies on Dec. 12.
EntertainmentThe WeekBorat sequel that could reportedly 'derail a political career' to debut before Election Day
A surprise sequel to the hit 2006 comedy Borat from Sacha Baron Cohen is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video prior to Election Day, Deadline reports. The plot of the sequel, Collider reported, involves Baron Cohen's character of Borat going undercover to conduct interviews after the original film made him famous, and The Film Stage also reported that "Trump and Epstein's relationship, as well as the coronavirus, all figure into the main narrative with cameos from Mike Pence, Rudy Giuliani, and more best left unspoiled." Additionally, The Film Stage reports that "one of the yet-to-be-revealed cameos could potentially derail a political career."
SportsINSIDERJalen Rose says a 4th championship puts LeBron James on the NBA's Mt. Rushmore, but Michael Jordan would still be the 'GOAT'
ESPN analyst and former NBA guard Jalen Rose said he thinks a fourth championship would put LeBron James on the NBA's Mt. Rushmore. Rose said it would not be enough to move James ahead of Michael Jordan in the "greatest of all-time" debate. Rose said Jordan's two separate runs of three straight championships shows he was more dominant in his era than James.
“Staggered term limits would ensure that electoral winners shaped the Supreme Court, not the Grim Reaper.”
“Term limits undermine the primary function of the judiciary: preventing political majorities from trampling on others’ rights.”
“It would be one important way we could deescalate the stakes of American politics, and protect the system from total breakdown.”
“It would depoliticize the court and judicial selection, and thus promote the rule of law.”
“There are also transition problems...at some point the complications become more trouble than they’re worth.”