May 30 top stories
It is May 30. Here are today’s top stories.
Connecticut pardons those charged with witchcraft
The Connecticut Senate passed a resolution to formally exonerate women and men who were accused of witchcraft during the 1600s in colonial-era Connecticut. Some of those who were accused were executed.
State Sen. Saud Anwar is the one who introduced the bill. His office said they want to bring relief to the descendants of those who were maligned and acknowledge that they were treated wrongly.
The bill passed the Connecticut House and it will head to the governor’s desk for his signature.
CNN explained that there was a witch panic in Hartford about 40 years before the Salem witch trials. 34 people were charged with witchcraft and 11 of them were hanged.
Memorial Day weekend shootings
NBC News said at least 16 people were killed across the U.S. in shootings during Memorial Day weekend.
On Monday night, six adults and three children were injured when gunfire broke out in Hollywood Beach, Florida. Police said the shooting was between two groups of people who were initially fighting outside a store. Police said they detained several suspects.
In Mesa, Arizona, four people were shot and killed on Friday and Saturday. Police arrested a 20-year-old man and accused him of randomly shooting at the victims, of whom some were homeless.
In Chicago, at least eight people were killed and 32 others wounded in shootings over the weekend. Most of the incidents happened late at night or very early in the morning. At least six of the victims died while they were walking on a sidewalk.
In Red River, New Mexico, three people were fatally shot at a motorcycle rally. Police arrested a 30-year-old suspect and said the shooting happened between rival biker gangs.
Moscow under attack by drones
Several drones attacked Moscow, the capital of Russia, this early morning. Three apartment buildings were damaged and two people were injured.
Russian military officials said Ukraine did this and called it a terrorist attack.
A top aide to the Ukrainian president said the country was not directly involved but was watching with pleasure.
On the other side, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was attacked by around 20 drones. One woman was killed by falling debris. BBC said Kyiv was attacked with drones and missiles at least 17 times in the month of May.
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Biden and GOP debt ceiling deal
On Sunday, President Biden and the Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said they reached a deal on the debt ceiling.
The deadline is June 5 for the government to make sure it can pay its bills and avoid a default.
NBC News said the deal extends the debt limit for two years alongside modest federal spending cuts.
The House will vote on the bill on Wednesday if it passes out of the House Rules Committee.
NBC said it seems like most Republicans support the bill but there are several hardliners who feel that the spending cuts don't go far enough. NBC also said the White House has been working the phones to try and win the support of Democrats.
Texas Attorney General impeached
The Texas House’s Republican majority voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is also a Republican.
The House filed 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton which included allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice and abuse of public trust.
One of the alleged acts of misconduct is Paxton using his office to benefit a real estate developer who made a large donation to his 2018 campaign. When several of Paxton’s aides reported the misconduct, they either were fired or resigned.
Paxton’s impeachment trial will start around the end of August. If the Texas Senate finds him guilty, he will be permanently removed from office.
Minnesota legalizes recreational marijuana
Minnesota is now the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana. Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law today to make it official.
It will take at least a year for the state to issue licenses to businesses to start selling marijuana.
Under the law, those in Minnesota can legally possess up to 2 pounds at home and 2 ounces elsewhere.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.axios.com/2023/05/30/moscow-targeted-in-major-drone-attack
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/blog/debt-blog-monday-rcna86530
https://www.axios.com/2023/05/30/ken-paxton-senate-impeachment-trial-date-set
https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/05/25/ken-paxton-abused-power-investigation-impeach
https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/29/us/connecticut-witch-trial-exoneration-trnd/index.html
https://www.fox9.com/news/gov-walz-to-sign-minnesota-marijuana-bill-into-law-on-tuesday