June 20 top stories
Hello, it is June 20. Here are today’s top stories.
Louisiana classrooms now required by law to display Ten Commandments
Louisiana public schools are now required to display the Ten Commandments in all classrooms after Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed the requirement into law Wednesday.
House Bill 71, approved by state lawmakers last month, mandates that a poster-size display of the Ten Commandments with large, easily readable font be in every classroom at schools that receive state funding, from kindergarten through the university level.
The legislation specifies the exact language that must be printed on the classroom displays and outlines that the text of the Ten Commandments must be the central focus of the poster or framed document.
Opponents of the bill have argued that a state requiring a religious text in all classrooms would violate the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The opposing groups said in a joint statement: “The First Amendment promises that we all get to decide for ourselves what religious beliefs, if any, to hold and practice, without pressure from the government.”
More than 1,000 Hajj pilgrims died as Mecca temperatures hit 120 Fahrenheit
According to multiple sources, the death toll from this year’s Hajj has exceeded 1,000 during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca amid scorching heat Thursday.
Stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have caused hundreds of deaths during Hajj to Saudi Arabia in the past 30 years. This year, many of those deaths were due to extreme heat. The pilgrimage began on Friday, June 14.
Saudi state TV said temperatures rose on Monday as high as almost 52 degrees C or 125 F in the shade at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
One of the pilgrims told a news outlet that Hajj is a difficult task, so you exert efforts and perform the rituals even in the conditions of heat and crowding.
Saudi authorities warned pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Hajj, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for able-bodied Muslims who can afford it. It ended on Wednesday.
McDonald’s releases a new $5 value meal to combat inflation
The Wall Street Journal reported that McDonald’s has revealed the details of its $5 value meal, which the fast food chain hopes to rev up sluggish sales and lure back customers who have cut back.
Beginning June 25, McDonald’s U.S. locations are selling a ‘$5 Meal Deal’ and will last roughly a month. The value deal will include four items – a McDouble cheeseburger or a McChicken sandwich, small french fries, 4-piece chicken nuggets and small soft drink for $5.
Online, people have been airing their fast food price grievances. They are pulling back on spending, too. Diners, frustrated by higher prices, are not going out to eat as often and spending less when they do, causing fast food sales to slow and traffic to dip.
The president of McDonald’s USA said in a press release: “We heard our fans loud and clear – they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer that’s exactly what they’ll get.”
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Centuries-old cherries found at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Archaeologists at George Washington’s historic Virginia home have unearthed more than two dozen 250-year-old bottles of cherries and berries dating back to the 18th century.
Officials first announced in April that they had discovered two glass jars of cherries, liquid and pits when excavating the cellar of Mount Vernon, the residence, plantation and final resting place of the nation’s first president.
Last week, they announced the discovery of 35 more fruit-filled vessels. Officials say 29 of the bottles are intact and contain perfectly preserved cherries and berries, likely gooseberries or currants.
The bottles, whose shapes are characteristic of styles from the 1740s and 1750s, were discovered in five storage pits throughout the cellar. This means the bottles are extremely fragile and require the utmost care.
The president of the historic site said these artifacts likely haven’t seen the light of day since before the American Revolution, perhaps forgotten when George Washington departed Mount Vernon to take command of the Continental Army.
That was in 1775.
See Alex’s report about the recent arrests of two musicians – Justin Timberlake and Travis Scott.
Justin Timberlake; Travis Scott arrested
Thanks, Callie. In recent days, two famous musicians were arrested in separate incidents: Justin Timberlake and Travis Scott.
Timberlake was arrested just after midnight on Tuesday and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). He was initially pulled over in New York State for failing to stop at a stop sign and maintaining his lane of travel. The officer said upon investigation, he determined that Timberlake was intoxicated. Timberlake said he had only one drink, but he was jailed and was eventually released without bail. Today his attorney said he would vigorously defend him against the allegations.
Travis Scott was arrested early this morning in Miami and charged with disorderly intoxication. Police said he yelled at people on a yacht. NBC News explained that Scott was arrested after someone called police to say that there was a fight on a yacht at the Miami Beach Marina. Police said when they arrived, they saw Scott standing by the dock yelling at people on the yacht. Police asked him to leave and he initially did, but then he returned and resumed yelling at others. Scott was jailed and then released on bond. He admitted that he was drinking and said “It’s Miami.”
Thanks for the report. That’s all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light!
Louisiana classrooms now required by law to display Ten Commandments
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/19/us/louisiana-ten-commandments-classrooms.html
More than 1,000 Hajj pilgrims died as Mecca temperatures hit 120 Fahrenheit
https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-hajj-pilgrimage-heat-deaths-1d5199ba89da3c66dca00ccf6fca8045
McDonald’s releases a new $5 value meal to combat inflation
https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/mcdonalds-value-meal-fast-food-7444a704
Centuries-old cherries found at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Justin Timberlake; Travis Scott arrested