November 17 top stories
It is November 17. Here are today’s top stories.
Pelosi attacker is convicted by jury
David DePape was found guilty by a jury in the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
DePape was convicted of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. He faces up to 50 years in prison.
DePape testified that he broke into the Pelosi home last October because he believed there was government corruption and had hoped to hold Nancy hostage.
A federal prosecutor said after the verdict that people can believe what they want and debate all they want, but they can’t physically attack a member of Congress or their family.
A sentencing date hasn’t been scheduled. DePape is facing another trial on state charges.
Supreme Court declines Florida request on anti-drag law
The Supreme Court declined a request from Florida to intervene in a case about a new law that aims to prevent minors from attending drag shows.
The law was signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May. A month later, a restaurant that hosts drag and comedy shows, Hamburger Mary’s, sued the state saying the new law violates the constitutional right to free speech.
The Florida judge said while some people may find drag performances inappropriate, they aren’t necessarily obscene. He issued an injunction and stopped the state from enforcing the law.
Florida then asked the Supreme Court to intervene by allowing only the restaurant to be exempt from the law while enforcing it statewide. The Supreme Court declined but three justices — Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas — said they would have acted in favor of Florida.
U.S. tourist dies in Bahamas boat sinking
A 74-year-old woman from Colorado died in a tourist boat that sank in the Bahamas.
The boat was a double-deck catamaran that was carrying more than 100 people. It was traveling to a private island called the Blue Lagoon Island.
A witness who was on the boat said there were huge waves that caused the boat to take on water and list. Passengers struggled to get lifejackets in a panic.
The 74-year-old woman was found unresponsive and despite CPR efforts, she was declared dead.
Authorities said they are investigating.
———
Sponsored video by Sorenson: www.sorenson.com
———
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sued for alleged rape
CNBC reported that musician and businessman Sean “Diddy” Combs was sued by singer Cassie, who alleged he had raped and sexually trafficked her over the course of 10 years.
Combs and Cassie were former partners. Cassie’s legal name is Cassandra Ventura.
Combs’ lawyer said he vehemently denies these “outrageous” allegations.
Lobsterman jumps from boat to save motorist
ABC News said a lobsterman in Maine jumped from a boat into the water to help save a motorist who was trapped in a sinking car.
A 33-year-old man drove into Casco Bay on Thursday afternoon. The lobsterman, Manny Kourinos, saw what happened and jumped into the cold water (50 degrees F). He helped to pull the driver out. The driver was hospitalized and is in stable condition.
Police are investigating and said the vehicle was reported stolen earlier in the day, so it is possible that the driver stole the car.
SpaceX delays Starship launch to Saturday
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said they are delaying the launch of the Starship rocket from Friday to Saturday because of technical issues.
Musk said they need to replace a “grid fin actuator.” Phys.org said this object adjusts and stabilizes rockets during their descent phase so they can land upright.
Space.com said many people have flocked to the launch site in Texas in anticipation of the launch and many are willing to wait one more day to see the show. SpaceX hopes to launch it between 8 a.m. and 8:20 a.m.
That is all the top stories for this week. Have a nice weekend and stay with the light.
https://apnews.com/article/pelosi-depape-hammer-attack-verdict-3e9cba213130b6db90197d17b09640fa
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/politics/supreme-court-rules-against-florida-anti-drag-law/index.html
https://abc7chicago.com/the-bahamas-ferry-sinks-blue-lagoon-nassau/14063849/
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/16/music-mogul-sean-diddy-combs-sued-for-rape-sex-trafficking.html
https://phys.org/news/2023-11-spacex-starship-postponed-saturday.html
https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-delay-launch-viewing-travelers