September 20 top stories
It is September 20. Here are today’s top stories.
Asteroid Bennu could hit Earth in 159 years
A science team that studies asteroids said an asteroid named Bennu could impact Earth in September 2182, which is 159 years from now.
The science team said Bennu passes near Earth every six years and has had three close encounters with Earth. The odds of it impacting Earth in 2182 is very low, a 0.0037% chance.
If it does hit Earth, it would create an impact that is 24 times the energy of a nuclear weapon. So with 159 years, there’s plenty of time to track Bennu and make preparations if necessary.
ABC News said a probe did touch down on the surface of Bennu in 2020, collected a sample, and is expected to arrive this Sunday. NASA plans to showcase its findings in October.
Band director tased after refusing to stop performance
Last Thursday, an Alabama high school band director was tased by police officers because he wouldn’t stop playing a song after a football game. His name is Johnny Mims.
The Birmingham Police Department said officers were trying to clear out the stadium and that Mims refused to follow orders for him to tell the band to stop playing.
A police body camera video shows Mims telling officers, “Get out of my face.” He said they would leave after they played their “last song.”
Officers told Mims that they would take him to jail and he gave a thumbs up and said, “That’s cool.” As an officer handcuffed Mims, another officer said he tried to hit a cop, but Mims said he didn’t swing at the officer. That’s when a cop tased him three times.
Mims was jailed and charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest. He was bonded out.
There was a lot of outrage over Mims’ arrest. His attorney said this incident is an alarming abuse of power and a clear violation of Mims’ civil rights because what he was doing, leading a song, was not a threat to the general public's safety.
A local superintendent said he is sad to see this and that it is upsetting that his students and children had to witness this scene.
Mims said in an interview with ABC news that he feared for his life, and that he did not deserve to be tased. He explained that it is a big cultural thing among bands to face off after a football game.
Attorney General Garland defends DOJ investigations
Attorney General Merrick Garland testified before the House Judiciary Committee today and defended the DOJ investigations into Donald Trump and Hunter Biden.
Garland said it is their job to uphold the law and not do what is politically convenient.
Republican Chairman Jim Jordan told Garland that he is protecting President Biden by offering Hunter Biden a plea deal on his gun and tax charges and doing the opposite by attacking Trump.
A top Democrat responded that Republicans are trying to impeach Biden with no justification while they are protecting Trump from allegations related to the Jan 6. Capitol attack.
Garland said he represents the American people rather than the president or Congress.
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Senate’s new dress code bothers Republicans
Axios reported that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer decided that there will be no more dress code enforced for senators. This means Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa) can wear shorts and hoodies on the Senate floor.
Axios said the updated rule only applies to senators. Staff members will still be required to follow the old dress code, which is typically business attire.
In response to the relaxed dress code, 46 Republican senators wrote an open letter criticizing the idea of senators wearing casual clothing. They said it “disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent.”
Sen. Fetterman posted on X that if “those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut down our government and support Ukraine, then I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week.”
Man dies after being punched at NFL game
A 53-year-old man named Dale Mooney died after he was punched in the face during a scuffle at an NFL game on Sunday.
Mooney was at the New England Patriots’ home game. Witnesses said there was ongoing bickering between one section of the crowd and another. Near the end of the fourth quarter, there was a physical altercation between Mooney and a fan of the opposing team, the Miami Dolphins.
Mooney was punched in the face, knocked out, and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy report found that the man may not have died from the punch itself but that he had another underlying medical issue. It is unknown what this medical issue was.
A witness said Mooney may have suffered a heart attack from being so worked up.
Police said they are investigating the incident, but so far, no one has been arrested or charged.
The owners of the stadium said they are heartbroken that Mooney died, explaining that he was a lifelong Patriots fan and a 30-year season ticket member.
Bears raid Krispy Kreme doughnut van
AP News reported that two bears on an Alaska military base raided a Krispy Kreme doughnut van that was stopped outside a store during its delivery route.
The driver left the doors open as he made deliveries and a mother bear and a cub got into the van and stayed for about 20 minutes, eating doughnut holes and other pastries. People tried to bang on the sides of the van to scare them away, but they ignored the noise.
Base security was called, where they sounded sirens. That worked as the bears came out and headed to the woods.
The doughnut delivery driver said he now closes his doors when he stops to make deliveries.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.axios.com/2023/09/17/senate-drops-dress-code-schumer
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/sep/19/dale-mooney-patriots-fan-death-gillette-stadium