August 31 top stories
It is August 31. Here are today’s top stories.
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Giuliani found liable for defamation
Politico reported that a federal judge ruled yesterday that Rudy Giuliani is legally liable for defaming two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
Giuliani, in his role as Donald Trump’s personal attorney, accused the two women of rigging ballots during the 2020 election. But several investigations found that the two women were innocent. The women sued Giuliani for defamation.
Now that Giuliani is found liable, the case will proceed to a trial to determine the amount of damages that Giuliani will have to pay Freeman and Moss.
In separate news, Trump pleaded not guilty in his Georgia criminal case in which he is accused of interfering in the 2020 election. The New York Times said it is unclear where or when Trump will be put on trial in the case because the 18 other defendants in the case are sparring with prosecutors on when a trial will begin and whether it will be in state or federal court.
Texas family of 4 dead in murder-suicide
In tragic news from Allen, Texas, a family of four was found dead on Monday at their home from an apparent murder-suicide. The family had suffered a tragedy just a few weeks ago when their 4-year-old daughter drowned in a swimming pool. A police official said he believes that the girl’s drowning was a factor in the murder-suicide. Police has not named who they believe carried out the killings.
The family was composed of father Farman Sherwani, mother Layla Sherwani, and two sons, Mateen and Shaheen.
The family were Iraqi-Americans and were members of the Islamic Association of Allen. The association said this is something that is very hard for them to even begin to imagine how to process.
Hurricane Idalia updates
Hurricane Idalia is now a tropical storm and is back in the ocean off the coast of the Carolinas.
It hit Florida’s Big Bend area yesterday morning as a Category 3 storm.
Cedar Key, Florida was hit hard by a storm surge that flooded many homes and businesses. Gov. Ron DeSantis said first responders rescued about 40 people.
Those in the path of the storm said they saw massive trees falling, flooding, and winds strong enough to rip off siding from buildings.
One person in Georgia died after a tree fell on a vehicle.
About 300,000 customers were without power in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina this morning.
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Sen. McConnell struggles to speak again
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) struggled to understand reporters’ questions and respond during a press conference yesterday afternoon in his home state of Kentucky.
He was asked whether he would run for reelection in 2026 and he became very quiet and stayed still. After his aides came to his aid, McConnell managed to answer two more questions and the press conference ended.
McConnell is 81 years old. It is the second time in recent weeks that McConnell struggled like this — the first was at Capitol Hill when he froze up for a while while giving a press briefing.
Another senator who is having health issues is Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California (D), who is 90 years old. She had a serious case of shingles that forced her to stay at home for three months earlier this year and also suffered a fall that sent her to the hospital.
An analyst with CNBC said the House and the Senate are older today than at any point in modern history with a median age of 59 years old.
Nebraska volleyball match draws 92K fans
On Wednesday night, over 92,000 fans filled up the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ Memorial Stadium in Lincoln to watch a women’s volleyball game between the Cornhuskers and the Omaha Mavericks. The Cornhuskers won.
It set a new world record for attendance for any women’s sporting event.
The University of Nebraska organized the event with the goal to put a spotlight on women’s sports and to break the record, and they did it.
The previous world record for attendance was during the 1999 Women’s World Cup final between the U.S. and China at the Rose Bowl.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/tropical-storm-idalia-path-florida-08-31-23
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/31/us/trump-not-guilty-plea-georgia.html