September 1 Top Stories
It is September 1. Before I share today’s top stories, I want to let you know that we will have no regular news on Monday in observance of Labor Day. Now, ready for today’s news?
Trump Georgia trial will be streamed live
A judge in Georgia overseeing the election interference case involving Donald Trump and 18 other defendants said the trial will be streamed live for the public.
CNBC explained that while most federal courts prohibit photography and recording, this is a state-level court held in Fulton County, which allows judicial proceedings to be broadcast on its YouTube channel.
This means the public will be able to watch prosecutors and Trump’s defense team make arguments and see the evidence they present. Ultimately, we’ll see what the jury decides on a verdict.
Trump faces 13 felony counts from his alleged actions of trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, where he lost to Joe Biden.
Homeowner who shot Black teen Ralph Yarl to stand trial
In Missouri, a judge ruled that the 84-year-old white homeowner who shot a Black teenager named Ralph Yarl twice after he rang the doorbell at the wrong house will have to stand trial.
The homeowner’s name is Andrew Lester. The incident was on April 13 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Yarl was trying to pick up his siblings at the time. He mixed up the addresses between Northeast 115th Street and Northeast 115th Terrace. After he was shot, he underwent brain surgery and is recovering.
Lester pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree assault, arguing he was acting in self-defense because he was spooked by someone ringing his doorbell after 9 p.m.
A prosecutor said they believe there was a “racial component” to the case.
Proud Boys leaders get long sentences over Jan. 6 attack
Two former Proud Boys leaders received long prison sentences for their roles in leading an attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6, 2021.
Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison, while leader Zachary Rehl was sentenced to 15 years.
AP News said the two prison sentences were the second and third longest sentences so far over the Jan 6. attack. They were convicted of seditious conspiracy (conspiring to revolt against the government).
Enrique Tarrio, who was the Proud Boys’ top leader, will be sentenced on Tuesday.
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US regulators might change how they classify marijuana
AP News said the Health and Human Services Department has made a recommendation to change how the federal government classifies marijuana — to remove it from a “Schedule I” group to “Schedule III” group.
Drugs in the Schedule I group are labeled as having “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Drugs in the Schedule III group are defined as drugs with a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.”
It is up to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to make the decision on reclassifying. It will have to undergo a lengthy review process that includes taking public comment.
If marijuana is reclassified, it doesn’t mean that marijuana would be legalized nationwide. It would make it easier for scientists to study the effects of marijuana. It would also allow marijuana businesses to have more flexibility to deduct expenses and pay less taxes.
Police pulls over man driving with bull riding shotgun
In Nebraska, police pulled over a man who was driving a car with a bull riding in the front passenger seat. The car was modified with half the windshield and roof removed to make room for the bull, who is named Howdy Doody. The owner, Lee Meyer, usually drives the car with the bull in local parades.
Police said Meyer usually transports the bull using a trailer and uses the special car for parades and it is not clear why Meyer decided to use the car on a regular highway.
Police said there were obviously some traffic violations but they let Meyer go with a warning with the agreement that he was to go straight home with Howdy Doody.
That’s all the top stories for this week. Have a nice Labor Day weekend. I’ll see you on Tuesday. Stay with the light.
https://www.axios.com/2023/09/01/ralph-yarl-shooting-andrew-lester-doorbell-trial-kansas-city
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/31/trump-georgia-trial-will-be-streamed-live-judge-rules.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/31/us/ralph-yarl-shooting-testimony.html
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/police-stop-nebraska-man-bucking-law-bull-riding-102843449